To wish that a Stranger would give me unsolicited advice

[Jemima232]

Having read a lot of threads this morning about HVs, retired dentists and Random Strangers giving unwanted advice about fizzy drinks, I am devastated that this has never happened to me.

Why have I been Left Out?

I recently saw someone eyeing up my lovely new coat in a lift, felt smug about how great I obviously looked, then she said, "I don't like that coat at all. It just does nothing for you; you should wear lighter colours." 😳
It's on sale at the moment, OP, if you want to try and see if you get some similar invaluable advice! www.joythestore.com/louche-nara-waterfall-coat-green?

I don't offer unsolicited advice but i must look approachable because I regularly get asked for advice.
I was recently buying fennel and a woman said she always wanted to try it but wasn't sure how to cook it and asked me how I cook it. Two other women joined us. I felt like I was teaching a class!
I spent 10 minutes helping a stranger buy some makeup in Boots the other day.

Random strangers often approach me for advice. Does this count? It's always when I'm sifting through packets of steak in the supermarket looking for the freshest one with the right ratio of lean meat to marbling. "Where will I find the baby wipes/brown sauce/own brand beans?" they ask. With a look of sincere regret on my face, I explain that I can't help them as I am myself a customer and don't actually work there.

I wouldn't mind but my clothing doesn't even in any way resemble the corporate uniform! And it happens all the time

@Pinkkahori

That's nothing.

I once spent twelve minutes advising a woman about vaginal moisturisers in Boots.

So there

Bloke in Sainsbury's a few days ago in front of us in the queue asked if we wanted his Nectar points because he didn't have a card. He then also gave us his vouchers which he got with his receipt which included a 5× points which we immediately used on our shopping.
What a bastard eh?

@SingingLily

So it was you who sent me to Aisle 34 for the Milo Chocolate Drink that day last summer in Tesco's (Oban)?

Thanks for nothing. It was actually in Aisle 35.

People like you shouldn't be allowed in shops in the first place IMHO.

I had an elderly woman at a bus stop ask me what female genital mutilation is, during the course of our conversation.

Some of these have had me giggling!!
I don't get random advice but my bump gets touched a lot by strangers and they tell me I'm having a boy because of how I'm carrying. So I touch their belly back and tell them they mustn't be pregnant yet, it's so funny to see their faces especially the men 😂

channelling the late, great Joyce Grenfell

OP...... don't do that.

A thousand apologies, Jemima232! Those dratted shop managers keep changing the store layout without consulting me! I really must have a word in their ears if I ever get invited to the staff Christmas party.

Great thread, by the way!

I was given some great advice about which dates to buy in a grocery shop in Bradford once. I like random advice.

I've realised I have a resting bitch face as no-one ever approaches me to give, or ask for, advice. Ever.

Random helpful advice, I should add, not people being randomly horrible like some of the examples on this thread. Why would someone do that? What goes on in their heads?

Or head, even.

@llangennith

Ah, but your User Name suggests that you are Welsh.

This may be why nobody approaches you for advice?

Don't worry - just move to England. Someone will be sure to invite your opinions.

Haha, a nice lady came up to me in the supermarket to advise me to put my purse somewhere more secure in my bag because it was on show. I said thank you and put it in a zipped compartment because I hadnt realised.
FFS don't you know you were supposed to pull it out, wave it in the air shouting 'I'll put my effing purse where I effing want you effing c*nt!' and then leave it in the carrot section for half an hour!

You must have a "don't mess with me" face or a determined walk or something. I get advice/criticism from strangers all the time and dh never does.

Back in the day I was told by a random woman in the street that wearing mini skirts would give me women troubles.

She was so right, about thirty five years later I developed fibroids.

We had come off our boat, baby in carry cot, sat on the quay on a very hot day. OH popped into the pub there to get us both a cold drink. A very drunk old woman berated me for having my baby outside a pub I should be at home with him.

Luckily I live in London where people don’t told or acknowledge strangers

@FriarTuck

Your advice about purses is sound, but you failed to mention that if you find a purse, then give it to a stranger in a public lavatory, hoping that they'll return it to the place where you found it, you can expect the fucking police to be at your door within twenty four hours

then leave it in the carrot section for half an hour

No no no, FriarTuck! Everyone goes to the carrot section. Better to leave it somewhere safe, like the fennel section where only Pinkkahori goes and can keep an eye on it until it can be retrieved 😁

@SingingLily you have "customer service face" - friend & I are both ex retail and reckon we have this as we get approached all the time & get asked about everything! We reckon we look competent .

I also got told my make up looked good whilst sat on the district line the other day (preens).

Newborn ds in sling under my coat in January in boots. The shop was hot. I took ds hat off and my coat off. Woman serving me told me that all newborns must wear hats at all times. He was sweating.

😂 I moved here from west London many years ago!