What I saw on the Saturday was people shopping whilst in a good mood! How often does that happen?! Ask any retailer anywhere and they'll tell you 'not often', then regale you with stories of the snobby old lady shopper, or the angry old man who complains but can't hear your response because he refuses to wear his hearing aid! (My mother just got told she needs hearing aids, by the way. Dad's rapt.)
Anyway, the Home Show was full of people who wanted to be there, regardless of what they were after and even if it was nothing, they seemed to be stoked to be part of the buzz.
When you work in radio for a while you get used to going to the odd event where people are unwilling to participate in the game you're playing for a prize. Sometimes it's like you're playing touch rugby with them; you approach them to ask them if they want to play a game, they hold up their hands and side-stride their way around you with a look on their face like they've seen you naked, on the toilet.
Not at the Home Show! We had people coming up to us asking to participate in the Home Show Throw (yup that's right, we had mini-basketballs thrown at mini hoops). Simple, effective, a great way to give your partner a bit of jib about throwing like a nana. I guess I was just really excited to see that people in the Bay support these big events and take them with a positive attitude. Well
done us.
Beats the atmosphere of the Auckland Home Show, hands down. Which might be the best bit!
(Will Johnston is host of The Hits 95FM Day Show. Live and local from 9 am till 3 pm, every weekday in the Bay of Plenty.)
