I've spent the last 5 days at the annual Frankfurt Book fair. I've been to so many of these that one seems to blend into another. To be honest I find this event rather tedious. This year was my "least sociable fair yet" as a friend described my demeanor. Last year I gave a fairly comprehensive description and you can read it here.
There are a few things I'll comment on.
A favorite pass time at the end of the day is mine sweeping for free booze and grub.
Each publisher holds competing receptions at their stands and the hordes descend sampling the excellent sandwiches (Germans do good open faced sandwiches) and quaffing the beer, wine and champagne.
Its funny how freeloaders (of which I'm one) become rather snobby about the stuff on offer.
"Plastic glasses? awwwe this one isn't very good.......Owwwwe Harper Collins has something on...quick let's go...."
At about 6:30 everyone trapes outside and when faced with the queues for cabs outside head either to the Maritime hotel bar or across the street to the Marriott
For some at the fair, the boozing isn't restricted to the evening. A friend of mine ( who shall remain nameless) working for a major publisher (also nameless) takes care of Eastern Europe. He has his own little office on the stand where he meets his clients from Russia, Croatia etc. Its a self contained little unit with fridge/freezer , ashtrays (Frankfurt has banned smoking this year) and the boozing starts from his first meeting at 8 am.
Its NOT water.
There are a few things I'll comment on.
A favorite pass time at the end of the day is mine sweeping for free booze and grub.
Each publisher holds competing receptions at their stands and the hordes descend sampling the excellent sandwiches (Germans do good open faced sandwiches) and quaffing the beer, wine and champagne.
Its funny how freeloaders (of which I'm one) become rather snobby about the stuff on offer.
"Plastic glasses? awwwe this one isn't very good.......Owwwwe Harper Collins has something on...quick let's go...."
At about 6:30 everyone trapes outside and when faced with the queues for cabs outside head either to the Maritime hotel bar or across the street to the MarriottFor some at the fair, the boozing isn't restricted to the evening. A friend of mine ( who shall remain nameless) working for a major publisher (also nameless) takes care of Eastern Europe. He has his own little office on the stand where he meets his clients from Russia, Croatia etc. Its a self contained little unit with fridge/freezer , ashtrays (Frankfurt has banned smoking this year) and the boozing starts from his first meeting at 8 am.
Its NOT water.I know this is a pretty lame effort as posts go but I've been slammed all week.
I'm in Barcelona now and hope to post something more interesting tomorrow or whenever.
Love to all
T
5 comments:
What's the use in keeping your drunk friend nameless when he's wearing such a giveaway tie? Surely that's a one off retailer mistake? And surely his boss reads this - doesn't everyone?. Guess you did your best but Frankfurt's queues and buildings? Sehr langweilig - sorry. J x
Actually he's not drunk. In some parts of Europe a shot of the hard stuff is how business gets done.
He's not a retailer but works for a publisher.
His boss knows this is how it works hence the private office on the stand so that the "knocking em back" doesnt offend Californian sensibilities.
Check earlier posts for more frankfurt stuff though its hard to make a banker city interesting.
T
Another year, the same old Frankfurt!
Derr! The TIE is the retailer's mistake - it's not yours I hope?
No its not my tie.
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