TooMuchTooSoon

At my school, I am a tour guide, showing prospective students and their parents the school. As part of the job, we are required to walk backwards while we talk about everything, as to make the experience more personal and fun.

One of the fun parts about that, though, is when people don’t tell you what’s coming up behind you, and then you walk into it. It wouldn’t be that bad if you were expecting it, but you usually aren’t. That abrupt shock you get through your body, plus the ounce of pain, isn’t all that fun.

I gave a tour just today, and back into two supports, a door, and a wall. It’s a great time when you see the eyes of the people you’re talking to widen, and you don’t know why… but once you realize it, it’s too late because you’re hitting the object.

The reason I bring this up is because I was recently told that not every campus has their tour guides walk backwards. I want to tell you, it’s really not that bad. We weren’t taught how to do it, but you just have to get down the whole talking about something, walking backwards, looking at people, and being aware of what’s around you as to not hit it. It is quite a feat, but it’s really not that hard at all.

The hard part is getting people to tell you what’s about to happen.

Also, never wear flip-flops while walking backwards. Shoes with no backs tend to come off easily, especially if you step in mud, and your shoe suctions down, and your foot comes out and lands in the mud.

Note: Tip your tour guides.

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