With stock show season in full swing, it’s a great time to make a new friend at a stock show. Early mornings, tensions about judging and more can add stress to everyone. Why not be a friendly face in the barn and shine a light to brighten someone else’s day!
Here are 21 ways you can be friendly at stock shows.
- Let people sit in your chairs if they’re tired.
- Tail your neighbors calf to the wash rack.
- Keep an eye on your neighbors stalls while they go grab lunch.
- Get donuts in the morning and share with those around you.
- “Friend” them on social media.
- Comment an encouraging word on your fellow exhibitors social media posts.
- Share social media posts from stock show friends businesses.
- Recommend a fellow breeder to a prospective client if you don’t have what the person is looking for.
- Help a friend load / unload their heavy tack.
- Go up to the ring to cheer on your friends when they show.
- Wish someone good luck as they’re walking to the show ring, even if you don’t know them.
- Stay in touch with people after the show to build new friendships.
- Give a kid a high five when they’re walking out of the show ring or return to the stalls after showing.
- Offer your neighbor a drink out of your cooler.
- Remind the people in your stalling area when it’s time to go check in papers.
- Be friendly to your fellow exhibitors and to the staff working the check in line.
- Compliment someone else’s cattle.
- Compliment a young persons’s showmanship skills. Tell them “Great job!”
- Share your snacks.
- Sweep both sides of the aisle, not just your half.
- Let someone borrow a flake of hay.
What else can we add? Good attitudes are contagious, and we can all make a difference at the stock shows!