World Cup soccer flag-wavers keep Milton salesman happy

There was little hesitation shown by flag salesman Shawn Sarin when asked which country he's cheering for during this year's World Cup in Germany. "Everyone," laughed the 27-year-old from Milton, who has been doing brisk business over the past few days in the mall parking lot across the road from the Georgetown Market Place on Guelph Street. "I wouldn't have been standing out here every day since (the World Cup began June 9) if it wasn't going well." Sarin wouldn't divulge any sales figures but said that England and Holland flags that can be attached to car windows (for $15 apiece) are the top sellers. Strangely enough, sales for certain countries tend to pick up after their team wins. A lone Edmonton Oiler banner could be spotted flapping on Sarin's car, almost lost in the bright colours of several of the 32 participating World Cup nations. Sarin also has team jerseys and wristbands to sell out of the trunk of his vehicle and has similar roadside set-ups in Bolton and Brampton. With permission from the mall owners and a Halton Hills vendor's permit in hand, Sarin said he recently got the idea to sell the flags from a friend as a sideline to the family's ceramics business in Brampton. He hasn't been disappointed, although selling during the day means he can't watch the games live. Still, Sarin is experiencing World Cup fever at the grassroots level. "I don't even have to watch the games. I get all the scores and the play-by-play from the fanatics," he added. "I sold seven big Portugal flags today to one guy. We really like it when there's mixed marriages, say with England and Poland. We try to keep everybody

Flag salesman Shawn Sarin shows off the various flags he has been selling as World Cup soccer has gripped the nation. Sarin says he has been doing a brisk business on Guelph Street and admits his top sellers have been England and Holland flags.