Typical prospective students and families want small tour groups. The Admissions Office also wants the tour size small. We tour guides don't. Nope, not at all. When the groups are tiny, no one wants to ask questions, no one laughs at the corny jokes, no one engages. Big groups are almost guaranteed one giggler who will be the first to laugh and let others feel comfortable laughing, at least four middle aged moms willing to ask about dorms, drugs, and alcohol, and a charming little kid who has the power to make or break your will to live. Large tour groups also cause people to edge closer, to lean in closer. I guess it's the competitive edge we all have. We don't want to get pushed to the back, and so we dig in to nudge other people out.
That's why I was sad to hear there were only 4 people on the tour today.
BUT IT WAS AWESOME!
This family was perfect: mom and papa with prospective son and younger brother. All asked questions, all were very friendly and engaged. I loved them. I even did a special tour taking them to the buildings I thought they'd enjoy seeing. The informality was nice, and as I'm loquacious and love bullshitting, everyone chatted it up as we crossed McCormick and made a star on Grounds.
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