Behind the scenes. Despite the common usage of this specific terminology in fictional literature and the filmmaking industry, it also portrays several real-life implications. Doesn't it?
A traditional market is one of them, in my opinion. Most urban centers worldwide host these special environments since this is where people buy and sell dry and wet goods daily. Commodities such as meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, spices, fruits, and other common products are traded here. This is quite a familiar location because most of us have been here. True?
Although highly developed nations have sophisticated markets with excellent infrastructure to serve the public, some developing countries sadly don’t possess that luxury. In fact, their city markets have extremely poor conditions, are disorganized, and are on the verge of deterioration. Would you really enjoy shopping in these dilapidated, dirty, and unwelcoming places, let alone worry about your personal security? I don’t think so.
Fortunately, concrete measures have been taken to improve today’s city marketplaces. Low-quality wooden structures, rusty roofing sheets together with substandard materials that used to house market stalls and other concession spaces have now been replaced by better building improvements.
However, as much as our concern for urban markets’ overall architecture, design, and construction are equally vital for their successful operations, let’s not ignore one if not the most valuable ingredient of them all.
The market vendors! How could we forget them?
A huge majority of these market sellers, merchants, and traders are not permanent city residents, but are originally farmers, mountain dwellers, or individuals involved in the agricultural sector.
They typically live in faraway provinces, countryside habitats, and rugged farmlands, having no choice but to travel everyday to the city to make ends meet just to survive. Some of them even sleep in their respective spots inside these gloomy markets during the weekdays and go home during the weekends!
Because the marketplace is their primary source of livelihood, they risk everything just to financially support and feed their families. Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, they work tirelessly behind closed doors without demanding attention, recognition, or praise. We may not notice them while pursuing our daily routines, yet their private activities directly affect our local culture and the economy in general.
A city’s human population will eventually starve to death without the humble contributions of a traditional market!
For instance, if a thriving metropolis was a star-studded movie, these market vendors would probably be one of the film’s protagonists, a crucial role for the project’s favorable outcome. Despite their ordinary work, they are considered fundamental pillars - serving as reinforcing foundations for a city’s long-term sustainability. Now, isn’t that an extraordinary feat?
What else?
These city markets have evolved to become critical channels that bridge rural and urban communities. And with the respectable human beings manning their daily operations, they are also society's architectural, cultural, and economic movers, paving the way to better shopping experiences for current and future generations.
In other words, these market vendors are the invisible characters who labor, toil, and produce valuable goods for the ultimate survival of humanity. Hence, they absolutely deserve our sincere empathy, support, and appreciation!
Are you still wondering where some of our unsung heroes are lurking? Drop by your city market soon and see for yourself!
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Oh for sure the merchants and vendors are so important. That’s what I think so many people forget. Yes it’s easy to shop at a big company but you don’t get have much of an impact with them. You get to have a big impact with a market vendor. Buying items from a vendor means you get to help them put food on the table that night or pay for their kids new pair of shoes.
I try to shop at small companies as much as we can and that’s really important!
I definitely agree. Although buying products and services from huge corporations also escalates the economic progress of nations, we are always encouraged to patronize smaller merchants because they have limited sources of income - sometimes just enough to barely survive. And one of the best places to discover them is at a city's traditional market. Appreciate your beautiful thoughts! ☺️
Hi @storiesoferne , behind the beautiful flowers, fruits and utensils, carefully organized in the markets there is a great work, as buyers, we go in search of good prices and we obviate the great effort that these vendors make to keep the economy circulating and food products in every home, I remember when I was in college, in the area where I lived, on weekends there was a flea market starting at 5 am, at that time trucks arrived with fresh produce at affordable prices, many people went to that place to buy vegetables for their good quality and affordable prices, in my country also markets have many vendors.
They are unsung heroes who contribute a lot to the local economy.
Have a great week!
Greetings @belkyscabrera. Indeed, market vendors are a crucial component of society, providing food on the table and other vital commodities for both consumers and their own families. I'm glad you had first-hand experience on what it entails to be in their shoes and witnessed their humble activities. Their livelihood is a sustainable source of income that's an integral part of daily life. Thank you for your insight and have a fantastic one! ☺️
This article about market vendors is very nice. Here in Italy there are many too.
Yes, though most global cities have them, not all of them are built, maintained, and nurtured well. Thank you for appreciating this wake-up call! ☺️