Avoiding People - Tip 5 - Dark Clouds

There are times, not many, when you simply must go out and be where there are people. These place are events in themselves and don't cater to those who cannot be bothered to make the trip. In order to minimize the multitudes, there is one simple rule: Go when others won't.

A Farmer's market is a perfect example. By their nature they are bustling, crowd oriented events. If they weren't, the farmers probably wouldn't show up more than once, preferring to go broke in the privacy of their own homes instead of out alongside their failing brethren. As such, trying to find a time when the hoards are at bay can be tough, but fear not, there is a time: When it rains. Farmers are a hearty bunch and they'll usually just break out the parkas and literally weather the storm. Yuppies who drove their Lexus hybrid SUV's over to get some sweet corn aren't so steadfast. One drop of rain on the silk shawl and it's back in the car and off to Whole (paycheck) Foods. That, my friends, is where you and I can get in and get ours with almost no interaction whatsoever. Just come up, point to a couple of things from beneath a giant, hooded parka or plastic bag and then hand some money across the table. Cash is a must and small bills and change really grease the wheels of the sale. Because of the rain, few are interested in staying out for long and chatting and some will even sell things on sale because they weren't planning on driving home with all of the stock. Kettle Corn is great like that because once they've filled the bags, it's too much to put back in the car.

Another great time to go out is when someone has just announced a winter storm warning. In order to really pull this off, you need a decent car with some snow tires and some ability to drive in the snow. If you have all these things, you'll be the only one showing up for a movie (those places never close) or into a restaurant that desperately wants to close down early. The restaurant will serve you extra fast to get you out the door and the movies are sure to be empty if you pick something that's been out for a while or got bad reviews.

If you have a phone that will show you the weather and traffic, you're set. You just head to your destination with the knowledge that soon everyone will be driving toward home while you're driving toward a quiet night out with few if any interruptions.