At-the-Gate advertisements:
So called “No Parking” sign boards
During my evening walk I stopped by a house near our colony
park. What arrested my attention was the fact that this house in particular was
strange. The compound wall entertained a large number of “No Parking” sign
boards that are put up by vendors who want free advertisements in lieu of
pleading on your behalf that public should not park their vehicles in front of
their gates. There were almost sixteen
sign boards.
What could be the motive behind that resident allowing so
many boards? Was he just tolerant? OR he does not care how his property is
being abused? Or he has struck a deal with vendors to pay him a small fee every
month? Or he is very particular in telling the world that he would not, at any
cost, tolerate parking in front of his gate? I feel the reason could be a
mixture of any of these.
All such sign boards have a few things in common. All of
them refer to some service or product or facility available in the neighbourhood
– location specific. All of them face competition – there are more than one to
compete. Normally I find schools, Data / Internet / Telecom companies, Fashion
/ hairdressers, dentists, supermarkets, eateries etc.
There are some owners / residents who are peeved at this imposition.
Some wait and watch and shoe away guys who are tying them. Some cleverly remove
(cut out) the advert part and keep only “No Parking” part. Some place many boards one over the other to
irritate the mischievous vendor.
Some simply tear and throw them away. Some display “Beware
of Dog” board even when they don’t have any dogs.
Strangely the Bangalore Municipal Corporation thought that
they are losing a lot of revenue through this insidious way of avoiding
advertisement fee payable to the municipality. Some years ago they roamed
around, colony after colony, identifying offenders to take them to task. They did
not succeed I understand.
What is your take on this issue? Is this an issue at all -- it
is just making mountain out of a mole hill? Years ago, I read a very humorous
story (article) on this topic, by a lady journalist. I am unable to retrieve
it. Can anyone help?
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