Hello everybody, and welcome to a highly anticipated entry in The Balloon Market Blog!

After many weeks of waiting, we’ve finally made it to the member of the BM team that everyone wants to hear from. A core part of the Warehouse crew, this man is always up for sharing his practical knowledge, humbug stash and daily sandwich selections. And so, as you’ve probably guessed by now, today’s interview is with the one and only Gary! Let’s hear what he has to say!

On the Meet the Team page, you’ve listed a fun fact about yourself. Tell us more about that!

That would be about my socks… and that all of my socks have holes in them. It was true up until two weeks ago, as unfortunately it was my birthday and my wife bought some new socks for me. And in the same breath, she threw all of my holey socks away. Some of them were six or seven years old! Socks are meant to have holes in them, I think.

What do you enjoy most about working at Balloon Market?

All parts of this job are good, but mainly training up new team members and using my own experience to help people. It’s just the way I am really, I enjoy helping people anyway so it’s in my nature to lend a hand where possible.

Do you have a favourite product that we stock?

I really like the Sempertex Neon range. Making balloon decorations sounds a bit complicated for me; I’d like to have a go and everyone should try it, but I think only certain people have the aptitude to actually see it through, so we’ll see. And I also like the Spongebob Squarepants balloon.

Which household chore do you enjoy the least?

Washing-up! I think everyone would say that, wouldn’t they? Unfortunately, I can’t get a dishwasher in my place, so it’s just the sink for me. Not that I do it very often, though.

What’s the No.1 thing on your bucket list?

I’m not very adventurous or ambitious so… I’ll say a bucket. I haven’t got a bucket so that would be one to cross off my bucket list.

What’s your favourite kind of food? Is there a favourite restaurant you like to go to?

I like all foods, so nothing specific really. I do have a favourite restaurant though, and it’s called ‘Las Iguanas’. They opened one in Southampton last year I think, but they’re scattered all over the country. It’s not generic as you’ve got Brazilian, Argentinian, Mexican; it’s a nice mix. I’ll eat most things!

The BM web content team are always invested in your daily sandwich choices. But what is your favourite sandwich filling?

Cheese and beetroot! And it’s pronounced ‘beeTrooT’, not ‘beet-root’, by the way. Out of the ones I usually have, that one’s my favourite. The mixture of flavours is really nice.

Is there something that most people like that you don’t?

Ed Sheeran. No further comment.

We’re all very curious about your interest in a band called ‘Half Man, Half Biscuit’. What do you enjoy most about them, and do you have a favourite song of theirs?

They’ve been around since 1984 so they’re not really youngsters anymore. Basically, their lyrics are witty, sarcastic and they take the mickey out of all kinds of stuff: everyday life, small town England, popular culture. They’re very good musicians. If I had to pick a favourite song, and there’s hundreds of them, but the one they always play at the gigs is called ‘Joy Division Oven Gloves’.

Do you have a question for the readers?

‘What is one thing in your life that you would NOT change?’

A massive thank you to Gary for joining us this week! This question was a tough one for me, as there’s so much that I’d love to keep the same! I have been called a ‘creature of habit’ by many family members over the years, so I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not. So yeah, might sound a bit sappy, but I’ll go for my family.

Let us know your answers to this week’s question below! See you all next time!

James
Blogologist