As you may know I was in Nashville this weekend for the fabulous Blissdom 09 conference. Luckily (well not really, I planned it) my flight home wasn’t until late afternoon Sunday so I could get in at least a short walk and see a little bit of city before leaving. I really hate being some place new and not getting to at least experience it a little.
So I thought my Sunday was going to start off with a another run. I was all suited up and I headed down to the lobby at 8AM to meet up with some new friends. Well apparently I missed the party of the century the night before and my running buddies were all a little too ‘under the weather’ to hit the pavement. :) I was going to head out on my own anyway until I realized there was a group of girls getting together to head downtown and they said I could hitch a ride. So even though I really wanted to run (really, I did, I swear) I decided to shower and hitch a ride with them. I mean when’s the next time I’m going to be in Nashville with a bunch of photo bloggers?!? :)
Unfortunately I didn’t eat breakfast before I left so on my way downtown I was starving! Now, as you know I have to remind myself that hunger is not an emergency. So I repeated that a few times and enjoyed the ride. Plus I figured I’d grab something when I got into the city, right? Well… let me tell ya, Sunday morning Nashville is like a ghost town. There wasn’t a soul wandering except us and nothing was open. Which in a way was nice, but I needed FOOD! *She repeats… hunger is not an emergency* *hunger is not an emergency*
So we stroll and snap and stroll. Me with my phone, others with their super duper pro cameras. First I met Elvis. He was really cool, a little quiet but a super nice guy.
Then we made our way towards the water. I was sporting my new lijit shirt. Thankfully they gave them away at the conference because it was like 70 degrees there and I didn’t pack ANY short sleeves.
At this point stores were starting to open. So I headed into a little souvenir shop. In which I got totally reamed out by the owner. It’s a long story but I have to tell you anyway…
OK, so I’m wondering around and I see this postcard that I find funny. Bacon wrapped meatballs? COME ON! It’s like the the polar opposite of any of my food ideas on GreenLiteBites. So I snap a picture.
The owner calls us over after a few minutes and asks very politely if he can ask us, specifically me, a question. I say, "Sure" Now I’m thinking he’s going to start a conversation with like the only tourists he’d seen all morning. Instead he says in a fake polite voice, "Now I’m just curious. Why do you take pictures?" To which I respond that I blog about things and places I go. He then says,
"Well I find it interesting that you think you can come into someone’s store and just take photos."
To which I reply, "I’m sorry I didn’t mean to offend you. I can delete the pictures if you like."
You guys know me, I’m not the ruffling feathers type. If he had a problem I’m willing to delete and move on. Instead he keeps hounding…
"I mean I never saw anyone come into a store and just think they could take pictures. Do you go into Wal-Mart and take photos?"
"Well, actually I do and I have. But again, I’m sorry. Would you like me to delete them?"
Still at this point I’m genuinely sorry, because I didn’t really realize I was being rude and I totally understood that taking photos in the store is not acceptable. But instead of just asking me to not take pictures or to even delete the ones I had taken (which he said I didn’t have to and that suprised me) he just kept going on and on is his fake polite ‘I really don’t like your kind‘ tone. So again I apologized and again I offered to delete the photos yet again he just went on and on about how no one has ever done that without asking, yada yada and wondering if I did it in large chain retail stores and, here’s the kicker, that he would "…understand if I was from Germany or something." I’m not even going to go there.
Again, I totally understood where he was coming from. Maybe I should have bought the 10 cent post card instead of snapping a picture of it but I was just in the picture snapping zone. I’m a tourist in a tourist shop for Pete’s sake! The funny thing, well at least I think it’s funny, I was actually thinking of buying the set of cards to frame for my kitchen as I thought they were really cool. Needless to say I left, without buying them. His loss, not mine. Plus I only snapped the photo on my camera phone, it wasn’t like I was in there with professional equipment. Maybe I was going to send them to a friend to see if she wanted them. Which I do ALL The time. Whatever.
Anyway, we then approach the Park Paradise trailer resort that claims…
Ummm yeah.. starving girl who didn’t have breakfast was all over that! I needed to eat something after all and I guess the "Best Burger In Town" would have to do. I was going to go with the burger solo but when the nice guy behind the counter said in his Tennessee accent "Sweet Potato Fries with that?" I couldn’t resist! you know what they say… When in Rome do eat what the Romans do eat. I mean come ON, just look at it…
Here’s where I have to tell you "Old Roni" would have scarfed down that whole burger and ALL the fries in a about 10 minutes. Instead I ate half and a few of fries. Then we started walking again and I ate a bit more of it about 1/2 hour later. I also offered fries to everyone and gave about 1/4 of them away. When I was "finished" there was still about an eighth of the burger left and a handful of fries. Translation: I’m proud of myself for not scoffing the whole thing down! :)
OH! and if you are wondering if it was really the best burger is town, it was. Then again it was the only burger in town at 11:30 on a Sunday morning so there wasn’t much competition. Either way it was a tasty burger, especially to someone who hasn’t had a burger like that in months.
Our stroll ended with some roadside entertainment and my trip to Nashville was now over. :(
I’m so glad I got a chance to see the city, even if it was only for a couple of hours. I have to thank my fellow Nashville Snap & Stroll-ers for such a good time!
- Mishelle of Secret Agent Mama
- Jill of the Diaper Diaries
- Leighann of Soy is the New Black
- Colleen of Mommy Always Wins
- Michelle of Vintage Squirrel
- Lotus of Sarcastic Mom
I think that was everyone. Honestly my head is still spinning with names, faces, twitter id’s and blog titles from this weekend. I can’t believe how many people I met in the last 3 days. It was crazy!
My trip home was pretty uneventful. I did get to spend some time with Jyl of Mommy Gossip at the airport. We chatted and chatted as I did with most of the awesome women I met. It made me realize that bloggers, no matter their niche, beliefs, background, race, religion, or even weight we are all very similar souls. At our hearts we all like to connect and share with others. At least that was the impression I got from the weekend.
If you want to know a bit more about what I learned at Blissdom 09, check out my post on RoniNoone.com. Right now I need to get myself unpacked, caught up on email and back into the groove of things. I was pretty proud I kept about 70% of my food journal but there were a few indiscretions. :)
If I met you at Blissdom and didn’t mention or link to you I’m so sorry! Leave a comment and let me know. I’m still trying to make my way through the stack of business cards I collected. You’ll some talented ladies!
28 Responses to A Sensational Southern Sunday in Snapshots
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
You know what gets me about the store owner? It’s not as if he was making hand crafted items and you were stealing his ideas. Actually, yes, I would expect I could walk into a store and take a picture. Most places have no problem with it because it’s free marketing, but whatever. At the Ren Fest a few booths ask for no pictures taken because they don’t want others duplicating their hand made art, which is understandable. He’s got a souvenir shop in a touristy part of town and he doesn’t want pictures taken there?? Post a sign, bucko, point at it and quit lecturing the customers. Sheesh.
sounds like a great time :) I have never heard of someone asking you to not take pics……unless at a event where the flash would interrupt something!
How odd!
You had me at “…understand if I was from Germany or something.” Oh! How that made me ROFL… out loud with snorting even ;)! Why haven’t I read your blog before. Not only are you inspiring me to lose weight, but you are cracking me up. And all this after a very meaningful conversation in the airport. Who knew that such an amazing friendship could be formed during an extended check out time and as we waited for our flights.
And… a shout out???? Are you kidding me!!!!? You rock! That was an amazingly pleasant surprise :). (sweet too ;))
I’ll be in touch with you tomorrow…
LOL! This happened to me once. I always take pics with my camera phone in stores….YES, in WALMART!! One time, right before Christmas, I snapped a picture of a massager-thingy. This guy walks up to me and asks why I took the picture. I kinda smiled and said, “well, it’s right before Christmas, so I’m sending this to my husband so that he will buy it for me,” and the guy said he was from WalMart security and I would have to delete the photo. I said, “then how will my husband know what to buy for Christmas!?!?!” It was so AWKWARD!!! And that whole Germany comment…..geez Louise!!! Sounds like somebody was a little cranky on a Sunday morning….
I live in the Nashville area and I’m so sorry he was giving you “down the road!” I hope you’ll come back to Nashville again!
And yet, you did exactly what the merchant feared…publicly distributed, on the internet, a no-doubt copy righted image. Definitely not cool.
Brianne – I loved Nashville! I just hope I get more time to appreciate the nightlife next time! Looks like a fun place! :)
Sarah – Let me ask you a question? Truly because this is what I don’t understand. Yes, I did display a photograph of a copyrighted image. I didn’t try to sell it, I didn’t claim it my own. My intent by taking the photo was to tell a story. Is it that different then what news organizations do when they display an image of copyrighted work? Is the image of my park park side sign not the same?
Aw man 70 degrees and exploring the streets of Nashville – I wish I was there with you. I hope you enjoyed what you were able to see of the city.
Oh Nashville, how I love thee!
Funny thing I totaly take pics of things and will send them tomy hubby and be like isnt this funny or is this the one you wanted…. people get there undies in a bundle for stupid things…. I love it and well you handled yourself well… he just wanted to pick a fight! Love all the pictures.
That store owner had something up his butt!
When I was in highschool, a friend and I were getting some photos developed. We had a couple left on the roll, so we shot them quickly in the store (of us). The lady at the photo development department must have seen us. She developed the film and took the liberty to discard the 5 pictures we took of ours in “the store”. She gave us a lecture on how it was not allowed. We nodded and felt bad and left the store. Half way home, we both realized we had not paid for the photos. Looking back, I don’t feel bad.
AND (this outrages me thinking about it)…two years ago I was at RONA (I always try to support it versus Home Depot – RONA is Canadian) Anyways, I found a really nice lawn furniture set. I took a quick photo of it with my cell phone. I was going to show it to Ryan to see if he liked it enough to buy. A manager (old and jaded) tore a royal strip off of me, treating me like a child. I am glad the way I handled it. I turned to him, explained why I was doing it, made it clear that I would not be buying it as a result of the scolding, that and all of my business, and then walked out.
Some people need a good slap upside the head. ;)
I would never belittle someone in such a way you or I was – there is no need for it.
Loved meeting and hanging out with you. That guy sucked!!
I like your photo story and don’t see anything wrong with posting the postcard. You’re not taking credit for creating it.. just telling a story. If this journal below can post them, I think you should be able to as well.
http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/food/stories/2007/08/14/recp_0816fd.html
With camera phones now the norm for most people, I think shop owners should post a sign saying No Pictirue Taking. I would think that it was okay to take a photo otherwise. Especially if it was something you want to share with someone else, to see if they/you want to purchase it. For him to go on and on after you offered to delete it was too much, and they say New Yorkers are rude?
I totally agree with Jennifer
Oh Roni….first of all…you were about 20 minutes away from my house….I had oatmeal!!! ;-) Secondly, I am so sorry that you had to run into some of our “polite” Southern friends….I grew up here but lived in the NE for 6 years…and now we are back here for 5 years….I must say that I never realized just how “polite” (rude as heck!) people are down here till I had been removed from it for a while. Please don’t hold us all to the meatball guy! There are some very wonderful people here and I really wish you could have experienced Nashville at night..it’s quite charming. It never ceases to amaze me how people from here can be so rude yet not understand why people think they are rude! All I can say is this…when I lived in NY my friend (and fellow Southerner) and I went to see “Sweet Home Alabama”….it’s all so very true!!!!! There are things that make the South a not so lovely place at times but there truly is a charm about it as well too….and yes, aome are still bitter about the Civil War! ;-)
Sounds like you had a great time in Nashville Ronnie! I thought the postcard was hilarious too! And as for a copyrighted photo, I seriously wonder if dear Lisa Maire signed off on her Daddy’s image to sell bacon wrapped meatball post cards!!LOLOLOL I’m pretty sure that photo could not have been copywritted! Maybe the shop owner didn’t want Lisa Marie to see the postcard and sue HIM for copywrite violations! Some people’s children!
BTW Thanks for your Blog – I read it everyday and try and stay commited to being healthy…I really admire your enthusiasm and dedication! Plus it’s nice to know that other people eat a hamburger every once in a while!
Wow – I’m a bad speller! OOPSY!
Let me just say, I was with Roni in that souvenir shop in Nashville, and that man had a serious chip on his shoulder. As we walked around his store, this man was peering at us with disdain, and I swear he was just waiting to start something with us out-of-towners. Obviously, it was not just a problem with taking pictures, or he would have said something right away, and not have gone on and on with his ridiculous tirade. When Roni very politely asked him if he’d like her to delete the photo, and he said, “No.” Enough said.
Other than this unhappy man, everyone I interacted with in Nashville was extremely friendly. Even the homeless people. I even commented to someone that Nashville is a very friendly place. So don’t worry, I don’t think any of us came away with the feeling that everyone is like that man.
As for you girl, I had so much fun strolling around downtown Nashville on a beautiful Sunday morning. And hanging out with you later as we waited for our late flights. Thanks again for fixing my computer glitch – you are da bomb.
Whoa, I’m one of those people who snaps photos in stores and where ever ALL the time! Of course, I try not to get other people’s children in the shots, cuz that would bug me if pics of my kids were being taken by strangers, but photos of products in stores I would think is totally ok. I’ve never been told not to take them and can’t imagine what my response would be if confronted, but I’d probably not be as polite as you were. I’m sorry you had that experience, but thank you for sharing and giving us all the heads up. Yikes. I’m glad you had a nice time in Nashville.
Roni-
I was so excited to see your pictures from Nashville! I spent four wonderful years of my life in Nasvhille going to college at Vanderbilt….it is such a great city! Thanks for all the fun pictures they reminded me of moments and memories that haven’t struck me in a while….even the Batman building! :) Next time you’ll have to venture out and partake in some of the nightlife! I miss it even today!
Keep up the good work!
Roni, I am so glad you enjoyed our city, with the exception of the man in the store! Sounds like he wasn’t having a sensational Sunday! The weather was perfect. So perfect that I too had to enjoy a little treat that I normally wouldn’t have. Maggie Moos Red Velvet Cake ice cream with brownie chunks mixed in!!!! Man I can’t wait for summer! Needless to say the scales at WW were not as thrilled as I was about Ice Cream Sunday! Anyways….love the site. Your are such an inspiration!
I am so glad we all took that little photo walk. The weather was wonderful and the architecture amazing.
It’s so interesting to see your photo of the Hard Rock in comparison to mine. It’s cool to see different perspectives of the same think. No two artists paint alike, right?
It was so nice to meet you and all the other gals at BlissDom!
I think you should turn that meatball recipe around and make it healthy. Ground turkey balls with hidden shredded spinach and wrapped in turkey bacon then glazed in a bbq sauce. Call it Nicer Than Nashville Meatballs or something.
LOL! I had to say that I agree with Shannon! Nicer than Nashville Meatballs! I had no idea that people get so wadded up over pictures! I would be flattered if someone felt the need to take a picture in MY shop (theoretically, of course. I don’t own one) Hello? Free publicity? They show a buddy, who says ” Hmmm. Where is that? I MUST have it” They drag another buddy along. ” I can’t live without this either!” If it’s TRULY a problem, then post a sign. People have no problem posting ” No food or drinks”. Why not a ” No Photography. please”? What a grump!
Love the photos, but omyword, the guy at the store. I’d have died of mortal embarrassment. I admire your response! :-) Thanks for sharing!!
Braden enjoyed his sweet potato fries very much, thanks! :-)
And camera phone, what? Your photos look great!
Do you have a flickr account? Mishi just started a group for the Photo Walk, so if you do, join it and put yours in! :-)
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1031041@N23/
Was so lovely getting to meet and chat with you Sunday. Glad your running friends were too hungover! ;-)
Oh, wish I had stumbled upon your blog sooner so I could have joined everyone in Nashville. I’m only 2.5 hrs away in Knoxville. Sounds like it was a lot of fun.