Culture
A Look at Street Vendors Around the World
Saturday marks the fourth International Street Vendors Day, celebrating an estimated billion-plus informal merchants.
When I think of street vendors, my mind immediately takes me to New York City, where hot dog and halal food carts dot the sidewalks and where the sweet smell of roasted peanuts and egg waffles permeate the air. On every block, if someone isn’t selling food, they’re drawing tourists in with tables full of hats, paintings, and other souvenirs.
International Street Vendors Day has been celebrating such sellers every year on November 14 since 2012. There may be more than a billion street merchants across the globe, selling everything from goat milk to SIM cards to auto repair services. Some entice potential customers with fancy carts, while others let the products advertise themselves.