Went into a moderately sized "fancy gift shop" today. I live near there and have shopped there on and off for about two years.
The owner knows me and I'm in their loyalty club. It's over-priced but locally, it's the only place for gifts.
Anyway...the owner last year got a part time assistant so she could have 2 days off a week. I've only been in when both the owner and new assistant are there previously.
I went in today and it was just the assistant and the shop was empty. She greeted me effusively as usual and I said hello politely. I was dressed for a business meeting, so well dressed, business attire etc.
I began to look around for a present for a friend. Assistant said "Do you need any help?" and I said no thank you, I;m just having a bit of a browse.
She continued to speak to me as I looked. Just little comments like
"Looking for something special?"
"Up to anything interesting today?"
Which is a common thing for shop assistants to say here in Australia...I find it annoying...what am I meant to say?? I'm not usually doing anything exciting!
So I just responded to her continuous interjections in a polite but shortish fashion to try to shut her up!
Things like "No thanks" and "Not really" but with a smile so as not to appear too rude....but also let her know I didn't want help.
But it was CONSTANT "Let me know if you need help!" "Just tell me if you want me to get anything out!"
I was so irritated as I couldn't think! I like to shop quietly and think about what I should buy.
I then went to a stand with handmade soaps on it and she came over "Now these soaps...let me tell you..." so I interrupted with "I know all about them already (true...I actually know the woman who makes them!) I just like to shop quietly or I can't think properly"
She said "Ok!" and went behind the till.
A little while later I couldn't find anything suitable so went to leave and said "Bye" and she said "Do you mind if I have a look in your bag?"
Like I'd been shoplifting!
I'm a 45 year old woman who regularly spends money in there. A fair bit of money.
I said "Of course" and showed her. I know I didn't have to but I wanted her to see because she'd obviously either genuinely suspected me or she wanted to embarrass me....either way, I didn't want to give her reason to suspect me.
Then she said "Oh we have a lot of theft sorry about that...thanks for being understanding"
Was I rude when I told her not I didn't want help? Did she ask to look just to annoy me? And should I mention it to the owner? I don't think I will go back there again....maybe I just shouldn't bother to mention it to the owner! She's obviously not trained her assistant well.