Floating Hawker

A floating hawker is a common and familiar figure in Dhaka. Generally, he is seen roaming around the city streets, the bus and the train stations and launch Ghats. Nowadays, he is also found selling different items walking in the city’s every lane.

He sells things of common use or fancy items. He carries his materials either in a bag or in a basket, in hands, on head, on shoulder or by the van. He carries his moving shop on his bicycle as well. He walks along the roads by calling the names of his articles by singing a song or by ringing a bell. His skillful calls draw the attention of children, women and simple persons. Sometimes, he moves from door to door.

A hawker sells children and women’s favorite things, such as toys, dolls, biscuits, ribbons, cakes, ice cream, sweet meats, fruits etc. He sometimes sells common necessary things, such as clothes, cookeries, upholstery, vegetables, newspapers, magazines and many other necessary and fancy articles. A street hawker is a man of cheerful nature. He sometimes sings comic songs or plays whistle or shows some magic in order to get the consideration of people around him. Then he approaches with a smiling face and he declares his items are the best from others. By his lovely words he convinces the people and sells his goods. He deceives his customers both in kind and quality. Perhaps they do this for their poverty. A hawker is highly welcomed by the children. He is a favorite person to the innocence. He often cheats on children and women. So some people do not like the hawker.

Nowadays there are some street hawkers who sell their things sitting on footpaths. They attract the customers with many weird sounds. He works hard but his income is not sufficient. For the reason‌ he cannot maintain his family properly.