Art Marketing, Cara and Christi Style: Error no. 3

Error No. 3: Reciting poetry to customers
Unless you want to get a sideways look, a nervous cough, a quick exit from your booth, and an extreme and long lasting embarrassment, don't ever attempt to recite poetry to your customers!

Rational: It freaks people out! I have unfortunately (it is hard to even admit due to the humiliation) done this enough times to gain sufficient experience to know not to do it! I don't really know why people are so freaked out when you start rhyming, It's like you suddenly proved that you're psycotic! You will be in a great conversation with somebody. They will be really interested when you mention your book of art and poetry! But the second you try to give them an example of the poetry, they are out of there so quick you don't even know what hit you!

There is probably an exception to this rule: If you know the poem like the back of your hand, have practiced reciting it out loud, can do it very well, and the situation is appropriate (eg: The customer has told you that they love poetry and has actually requested a recital), then you might be OK. I, however, will not be doing it again as I can not remember our poems well enough. I inevitably go blank from nervousness after I have non-poetically spit out the first line or two, and then have to embarrassingly admit to the cloud of dust that remains where the customer once stood, that I don't know the rest of my own poem, sorry! Best choice? Just don't do it!