Sa'ada

Recently I've gone to several events hosted by a particular dancer (some events free at the hostess' cost) and people have been there passing out fliers and advertising like mad; promoting their events or themselves. I never do this because I think it's kind of uncool. It's the other dancer's event, ad I am quite happy to see attention directed towards them and their offerings as a performer and teacher.
I recently attended a lovely ladies' only hafla in my area, free to those attending, at the studio where the hostess teaches. People were handing out fliers like crazy, even just putting them in other folks' hands. Besides that the manner of the handing out lacked style, it brought other questions to my mind. What is the proper etiquette for such things? (let alone the proper ethics)

What are other folks' thoughts about this? experiences?

Sa'ada

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Shanazel

WWMMD?

What Would Miss Manners Do?

At the very least, the flyer people should ask permission of the person or persons sponsoring the event prior to the event - certainly they shouldn't just turn up and say, "Ya don't mind if I hand out a few hundred fliers, do ya?"

To hand out fliers at a free event hosted by a particular person is just plain tacky tacky- the social equivalent of spam. Wonder if the offenders hand out fliers at their sister's wedding and their grandfather's funeral as well?

jenc

If it's another event - I would really want to know about it (from receiving end). If it was for other regular classes, I would think them pushy if classes were in the same area. I do prefer though for things to be available on table rather than pushed at me!

SmilingMarie

it's a tricky question - esp if it is a 'private'/'free' hafla and you are distributing flyers that can be seen as 'competition'.
most larger haflas/recitals/shows in my area will have a 'flyer table' where any and everyone is free to leave and pick up flyers - in that way, people can get info about other bd events in their area (which many appreciate) but nothing is showed down anybody's throat.

however, if no 'flyer table' is available you should always ask permission from the organiser/hostess, preferably beforehand as to avoid any 'false permissions' (because the hostess is stressed, not wanting to take the confrontation, trying to be nice etc).

I always prefer to look at flyers and decide whether I am interested or not rather than having them handed to me (because then they are just like spam and I am more likely to treat them as such!).

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Aniseteph

If it's an event that's more a social do than a commercial one, flyering people is pretty tacky IMO. I think it's fair enough to spread the word about any similar upcoming local events people might want to know about - maybe ask the hostess beforehand if she'll do an announcement (and pick up a flyer if you're interested).

For me, anything that smacks of commercialism and marketing at a social event comes across as icky.

maria_harlequin

I think if one wants to pass out flyers at an event, one must ask permission first. No one's going to stop you from doing that but not asking for permission is just plain rude and tacky - and from my experience it actually puts people off from attending your class/thing.

I'm actually surprised at the number of people that do that. I mean, I kinda expected it to be a common sense thing...you DON'T use another person's hard work and organization as free advertisement for your class/event.

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da Sage

I would think that you have to get permission for flyers, but giving business cards to people you're talking with would be OK. I kind of feel like they're different forms of publicity, cards are more "personal connection".

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lizaj

You just ask surely.... to give out flyers about other events seems OK but information about classes by individual teachers doesn't seem quite the thing to me.

Nalini Akal

1) handing out fliers can be done once permission from the host is granted first.

2) It is a nice idea to have a table or small notice board speaking of other events just to have everyone in the know.

3) with permission from the host- the controls are kept by the host as it is unethical for competitors to hand out fliers especially teachers but events should also be at the host's discretion

Sa'ada

Thanks, all! for your thoughts. That is what I was thinking, too.

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