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Anybody who has ever been to some type of free event knows what to expect: too many people, sweltering heat, and vendors doing whatever they can to capitalize off your discomfort. The summer is coming around, and the events are starting to pop up left and right. There are marathons, galas, festivals, fairs, carnivals, and anything else you can think of that can go on in a field.

These events are a good way for a company to get the word out about their product, via promotional items such as coupons and promotional products such as free razors or whatever. There are many different items companies use to promote their business, like free key chains or pens with the company logos, or coupons to 10% off your next purchase at their store. I've noticed that these 10% coupons usually only shave a few dollars off your purchase but they look good and coupons seem to make people just feel more informed and confident about their purchases because they feel like they are saving money. My favorite promotional products, though, are when companies give out free food or the nice new razor that I was going to need soon anyway or hand sanitizer bottles or gel inserts or anything that I might need but don't want to have to go buy. It's a lot better than getting a coupon for some new company and hoping for the best.

I recently spent most of my day outside, traveling between my cousin's 5K marathon and a trip to eat (where we ate outside) then a trip to the book fair. I haven't been surrounded by so many people and handed so many postcards and coupons since the beginning of college when all I SAW was people and coupons and free bags. Everywhere I turned people were capitalizing on the effects of the hot weather. Hot? There's an ice cream man every block or so. Tired? Come sit on this bench and watch our little puppet show. Want to go home but can't remember where you parked? Don't worry, there's plenty of cabs around just waiting to overcharge you to drive you wherever you need to go. Hungry? We've got plenty of food sitting around getting bad in this heat, for a small price.

You can't blame these people, I suppose. It's well within their right (and is almost their duty) as American citizens to search out people who are suffering and offer their product as an alternative to that suffering and therefore make money off the discomfort of others. Then again, imagine the struggles they endure too. I mean, thousands of hot, tired, stinky, sweaty, hungry, irritated people who can't find a decent restroom and really don't want to be outside in the first place can't be a person's idea of a perfect day. So, kudos to the people who sell things outside in the heat! Now leave me alone.