Browsing by Author "Pekkonen, Hannele"

The purpose of my thesis was to portray the contemporary flea markets as a phenomenon. I examined flea markets by using three themes, relationship to products, cleanliness and the flea market tourism. The emipirical part of the thesis consisted of 11 interviews that covered all three themes and of observations made at flea markets. Interviewees were found through an ad posted at flea market Valtteri at the Vallila storehouses. Furthermore, I also found intervieewes when I had my own stall at flea market Valtteri on 15th November 2008. I wrote summaries of the interviews and analysed the information by themes. The relation to used goods and clothing is not unambiguous. At flea markets, products evoke personal memories. Sometimes the buyer does not even want to know the history of the item. Associating background information with the item can hinder the creation of personal connection with the item and thus complicate custody. Old or used products also create a sense of nostalgia. The most important thing is not necessarily the product itself or its history, but rather a personal nostalgic memory that is created. Cleaning used goods and clothes is a ritual-like procedure, through which custody of the product is taken. The aim of the cleaning ritual is to cut the bond between the product and its previous owners. According to my findings, especially the elderly may be suspicious about the cleanliness of flea markets. However, feelings of disgust, previously associated with flea markets, do no longer exist. It is very difficult to define and measure cleanliness despite civilization and public standardsystem. According to my findings, people gladly browse through flea markets in their spare time. A flea market tourist perceives the environment, the people and the flea market culture, which may differ from the conventional culture. At flea markets, the flea market tourist also meets his or her fellowmen. Although conversing and socialising at flea markets is often relaxed, the throng can aggravate tourists spending time at the flea market. In addition, spending time at flea markets meets the criterion of shopping, hence it can be difficult to leave without a “souvenir”.