Self-Care and Strategies When Confronted
with Contentious Situations at Our Markets

Breathe…….Make taking care of ourselves a priority……….When they go high, we go low - try to remain calm and put our game face on until we’re able to unload stressful feelings away from the situation.

These are some of the ideas brought forth in our last Open Forum, when we invited Marla Velky-Reger, a Clinical Social Worker and small business owner to talk about methods and tips for dealing with combative customers -also sometimes vendors- and defusing volatile confrontations at our farmers markets.  This is a challenging time for us all.  It’s difficult to escape feeling the burden of uncertainty and worry as this pandemic drags on.  So how do we bring our best selves to the Market each day?  Well we can’t always, but doing our best to self-care is a good start.  As Marla says, self-care looks different for everyone and any amount of time spent will do.  It might be making time to read or sew, taking a walk, yoga, plenty of rest or creating a wholesome meal. Basically, nourishing ourselves will always put us in a healthy position to face the day, no matter what challenges it may bring.

Here are some other useful strategies discussed by Marla with some great input from Market Managers:

1. Remember, it’s not personal

When we’re faced with angry, argumentative market-goers who want to resist market rules like mask-wearing, it’s easy to get our hair up as if the insult is directed at us.  Try to keep in mind that likely the person is venting or raging about yet another inconvenience on top of so many with this pandemic and it’s not a personal attack. Take yourself out of it as much as possible, game face on and remain calm.

2. Acknowledge and empathize

John Nowak, market manager of Millerton Farmers Market, shared an idea that has worked for him when facing disgruntled customers. Let the person know you understand, and empathize with them about the rule or situation being difficult to abide by.  This is also a way of “going low” when someone is heated and “high.” Validating how someone feels, letting them know you’re listening and acknowledging that it’s understandable to be upset in the present situation, are good ways for helping defuse the tension.

3. Identify the positives regarding your market

Look to what is working well - those customers and vendors who are helping your market to shine by following guidelines, making for a positive market experience. You may have one vendor or customer who refuses to comply with market rules, making your job harder, but there are many more out there helping your market thrive.

4. Continue to be flexible

As we know with each new guideline and directive to follow as we navigate this unprecedented pandemic situation, what we’re able to do today, may change tomorrow. Our market managers have been champions all along of reimagining their markets for each new challenge. All we really can do is the best with what we know each day. And don’t forget to Breathe…