Shop assistants asking if I need help

[blueskypink]

I probably am just being an intolerant bitch but I wish shop assistants would just leave me alone.

If I'm standing in a shop looking around with a puzzled/confused expression THEN, by all means ask me if I need help. IF, however, I'm walking purposefully towards some merchandise, am deep in concentration studying a label or an item, or have literally just walked through the door (avoiding eye contact and keeping as far away from you as possible) could you please just leave me alone?

If I want your help I'll ask for it.

I also don't want someone saying hello as I cross a threshold and saying 'bye - thank you' when I leave 5 seconds later because I've realised very quickly it's not my sort of shop.

I presume assistants are obliged to do this? Or maybe everyone else likes this sort of attention and doesn't snarl the way I do? I'm being unreasonable aren't I? But after a day's shopping I just wanted to scream "leave me the fuck alone!!"

I have to admit that I hate it too but once the reasoning behind it was explained to me I realised it had a purpose, now I just acceptmthat it’s part of the shop assistants role, say ‘I’m fine thanks’ and relax knowing they’ve done their job and don’t give a shit about helping me any further and I can browse in peace.
I also understand the presence at make up counters, my cousin was a light fingered shit and would steal anything and everything she could, if she’d had a shop assistant narrating what she was doing she’d never have had the nerve to steal anything.

holidayshopping it's totally fine to be told "I'm okay thank you", "I'll let you know if I need help" or just a hello back! I'm not trying to make friends lol but I do have regulars who are so nice and they make your working day that much better. They also really love it when you recognise them, e.g. One of my regulars came in last week and I asked her if she had worn the last thing she had bought and she evidently pleased that I had asked.

I used to hate it, but now i love it. I don’t particularly love shopping but like to look smart. So now, if i am after something particular i just tell them what i am looking for and let them find it and bring it for me to try. Works a treat. Many times i have left buying loads, where if they had not asked me if i needed help i would have just left. If i’m just browsing i just say no thanks, just browsing.

YABU
As a shop assistant, we have to do it.
You might find it annoying, but there has been research done. We do make more money when we greet and thank everyone. Maybe because the people who do like it spend more and come back more. Maybe because the people who don't like it just complain a lot so it seems like no one likes it when most people do, or at least don't mind.
Even if we didn't have to say it, you've just walked into our work place, it would be rude not to say hello, and it is rude when you don't reply. Shop assistants are people too!

Retail worker here,as it's been said upthread, we have to ask as we are marked on it,it goes towards our reviews,the manager and store performance etc. It's a pain,we know you hate it,we hate asking you as well but we have to do it as it's our job. Also,our CEO likes to visit unananouced and view the store,terrorise management etc and chat with customers about their experience in store.

Holidayshopping
Most replies aren't rude. Just say "thank-you, I'll let you know if I need anything"

Most of the time before I've even managed to utter "hello" the customer will bark "I'm just looking" which I actually find a bit rude

Oh god so do i

Once my friend said hello to a customer and the customer shoved her hand in my friends face and yelled NO at her

(I wasnt very helpful as i was too busy sniggering)

I’m autistic and I find shopping difficult enough - crowds, noise, loud music, bright lights etc. - without being expected to chat with other people

I’m always polite, but I do avoid going into certain shops now - including the bodyshop - I did go into Lush once and ended up having to leave due to the lass following me around asking loads of questions and trying to make small talk. I can’t concentrate on things very well and I need to be left alone.

I just buy stuff online now.

YANBU. I will leave a shop of the assistants pounce too much. I love Benefit makeup but hardly ever able to purchase as I haven't been able to find a counter where the staff don't pounce in an overbearing way and ask a million questions, my initial 'no thanks, just browsing' is never enough!

The second you walk into a tiny shop with a nevertheless vast counter-cabinet containing 100 different options of ice cream healthy salads, all delicious-looking, and the assistant instantly and abruptly demands to know which one you want.

Or, the opposite: somewhere that clearly only sells/offers one thing (e.g. deck chair hire, putting green, non-diversifying doughnut stall), where they leave you waiting for ages before slowly enquiring of every person in the increasingly-growing long queue how they may possibly be able to be of assistance - and then look amazed when you instantly know what you want.

And then shops wonder why their sales are falling and people turn to online purchasing. It’s not all done for convenience. Sometimes I would actually like to go out into shops, but I know I can’t due to being talked to.

Why do they assume everyone is extroverted and happy to chat or be talked at? It cuts down on shoplifting? Fine, I’m not a shoplifter, but if you’re going to assume I am one I’ll just have to shop elsewhere.

I don't go in Lush anymore due to ending up being washed against my will. I'm autistic and socially awkward and I don't even know how it happened... we went from "hi, can I help you? " to my arm being splashed in a bowl of water before I knew what was what.

I had just gone in to look for conditioner.

No-one 'has to do it'. What nonsense.

No-one 'has to do it'. What nonsense

Nobody has to do what?

Shop

Or say hello

For me, based on the stores I’m familiar with. Both the Body Shop and lush are small stores. Often they appear to have more staff than customers, and since there little square footage it all becomes over whelming. I always engage with the staff, but I do take a deep breathe and ready myself before going in. I prefer to be given time feel comfortable.

I am in retail management and I actively tell my team to greet every single customer who walks through the doors. Whether this just be saying hello to them or when we're quiet or if the customer has been browsing for a few minutes before being greeted asking if they need any help.
We do this for two reasons; firstly it does reduce shoplifting if people are aware the staff have seen them and a present in all areas of the shop and secondly due to the amount of people who will walk in, see we don't have their size easily accessible, not ask and just leave when we may have that item in our delivery or on a display or we can arrange to deliver it to their homes for them.
In regards to some customers finding it off putting, IME these customers are in the minority to those who either do need help or respond politely and know we're there if they need us :)

f the customer has been browsing for a few minutes before being greeted asking if they need any help

Do you honestly think people aren't capable of asking if they need help ?

Read my second paragraph :)

A definite yes to your second paragraph imnot

Mainly the stock bit

Harrassment as I walk in, is the reason I stopped shopping at Gap.

I was always polite and i did feel sorry for them having to keep asking shoppers if they needed help. But bloody hell, it annoyed me straight out of their business.

ImNotDancing - I did read your second paragraph! How exactly do you know how many people walk out without asking if you have another size? Tricky to measure I'd have thought?

In regards to some customers finding it off putting, IME these customers are in the minority to those who either do need help or respond politely and know we're there if they need us

Okay, so because I’m not one of the majority, my discomfort can be dismissed? That’s nice.

I don't know a single person who likes it. I actively avoid shops who do this. Its also why in certain shops I use the self checkout.

I have enough human interaction forced upon me daily. I'm always polite but usually turn around and leave. I hate the idea that someone is watching me browse.

I also often avoid small independent shops because of this. A hello and a smile is fine. But no small talk.

That’s akin to the ‘oh, no one else has complained’ response.

imnotdancing your store sounds lovely. I have stopped asking if clothes shops have something in X size, it was always met with “no, all stock is on the shop floor”