Fairtrade coffee cant be monopolised by big star$ cafes – here was free spaces for ‘buynothing’ exchanges Below see: Examples of ‘Banana-art’ artists and their work. These lovely people promoted by taking part; fun, freedom of expression and the spirit of fairtrade - in this ‘buynothing’ within the center of Southampton shopping areas. What a pleasant bunch they all were, I’d picnic with you all again anytime.

Friendliness was abundant and also served to warm the cockles of the heart.
Pictures of messages to b/g friends look good on bananas! What creative people they are.

Lovely to see different people / meeting up was lovely – keep being confident and don’t be conned that you have to ‘spend as a consumer’ to make meaningful contact with others. Keep it simple.

Inspired by the sharing of ideas and thoughts about how to make it happen a brief planning sess was held of three, in a new friends' home.
Creative input, the decision of no 'protest type slogans', and with a desire also for transforming resistance we (initially three) decided to go for it.

The idea:
For 'buynothing day', an embracing all picnic, in a public shopping area (in central Southampton) with fairtrade banana-art, fair trade-coffee, nibbles and safe FREE FUN for all in a fairly exchanged, FREE safe SPACE (where we buy (a doing word) nothing (not sure what this is).

The contribution of many who participated in the banana art was refreshing, the beginnings of authentic friendship building was the fun whilst the con(less)versation meant there was openness about how little there was to do without spending and how tiresome it could be to shop shop. Some liked being with us. Yes, people who may have passed each other in the street ordinarily stopped to see what was happening, where no money was needed and would have not been accepted anyway.

Some came and joined in after a welcome, others walked on. They spoke with us about favourite music, being moved on for amusing themselves on their skateboards and I appreciated the privelage of their openness. Despite the coldness (weather) the time was friendly. It was a delight to meet people and I liked these exchanges and met some really cool people. The banana artists enjoyed the activity and some compassion was displayed in their art, (see pictures below).

Post Script: If you were there and want to put in your own reflection on the event, please do –
Proposed questions for your reflection:

What was good about it?
What would you change?,
What does it give you that you take away with you?
Would you do it again?