To think appearance is everything?

[flawlessfilter]

I was in the airport (had so much time before my flight) and I looked at the perfumes/sunglasses/makeup - genuinely intending to buy at least a couple of Estée Lauder makeup pieces.

I unfortunately bought new jeans online and they were ill fitting, my hair was in a messy bun and I’m a bit overweight. Not one person approached me despite their being numerous sales assistants:

I been into a small department store that sells higher end items and twice I’ve noticed others being asked if they’d like help and I get ignored.

Aibu to think if I looked more groomed and slimmer then I’d actually be approached.

Probably more the sales assistant felt lazy, I bet you didn't look as bad as you felt xx

Unfortunately I think you're right.

however, I treat it as just a beneficial side effect. Much less patronising bs from sales assistants.

Sadly this is true, I used to be very fat and I'd be totally ignored in shops, I'm not fat anymore and it's the opposite. Sometimes though I wish they'd bugger off and leave me to shop in peace

Sadly yes. Not just in this circumstance but in many different situations I find.

That’s shit of the sales people but suspect they were just chatting and being lazy, I don’t think it’s a reflection on you at all. Your outfit sounds perfect for travel! I can’t get on board with the glammed up to the nines for travel look, it’s just not practical!

This is definitely a thing, I went to buy a car and arrived on the forecourt in a little everyday runaround, basically got ignored. A few days later went again in a "better" branded convertible, they were making me coffee, calling me madam... 🤣

Thank you. I definitely did though. I caught sight of myself in a full length mirror in the airport toilets and I was like - fuck. Haha.

I think maybe not looking groomed they assume that I couldn’t possibly have money to spend there so why waste their time.

Looks matter in all areas of life:
Getting into a relationship, who wants to be your friend/know you, job interviews, beautiful people even get shorter prison sentences.

People feel comfortable around good looking people.

Pretty privlidge a real thing.
Some people don’t want to admit it (pretty ones), they like to think it’s the ”inner beauty that matters” 🤭.

Sorry pressed post too soon, they are making a judgement on whether you're likely to buy or not, but yes it is lazy!

If they don't approach you, then you don't look like a shoplifter, which is a bonus😉

Could be you looked like you might buy something so they didn't feel they needed to challenge you as a potential shop lifter

Maybe in your unmade up state you just didn't look like someone that into cosmetics, in an airport plenty of people are just browsing waiting for flights.

There used to be a mamas and papas store near me and the staff were all like this.

So odd. The stuff was hardly posh. It's closed down now, not surprised given how horrid the staff were.

See I’d disagree regarding the you need looks to be in a relationship. I know plenty of people that don’t fit the beauty standard that are in relationships.

I think you probably gave the impression that you don't normally bother too much about the way you look, so they figured they weren't likely to make much commission out of you, and hence didn't bother to approach. Awful really, as it's often surprising the people that do buy make up, one of my best customers when I worked for an expensive brand was a lady with a FULL moustache!!!

Do you like people trying hard to sell you stuff?

I hate it personally

Sales assistants make the most effort with people who look like they will be their best customers. On the reverse of your situation, DIY stores pay more attention to those dressed like tradespeople

I’ve recently been through an airport and looked like a bag of washing and I’m over weight but I was still approached.

I think they're more likely to approach you if they think you are a shoplifter- they want you to know they are on your case and they know you'll leave pretty swiftly if you aren't genuinely looking to buy.
If you look casual then it's more likely you are a genuine customer who hasn't put on a front and haven't felt the need to hide behind nice clothes and make-up to steal look at the products

Well I certainly got a approached enthusiastically by shop assistants when I was in my work suit that when I was in my weekend scruffs. Still the same shape me - probably looked as if I had more dosh when 'tidied up'. (It bemused me all the same)

I agree op.

Tragically for the sales assistants it's the uncrowned
Older women who more often have money to spend.

Big mistake. Big big big mistake . It's the same with me.

Ungroomed not uncrowned

First impressions do matter.

But sales staff know that all sorts of people have money to spend, so I think that this one is down to their incompetence.

I don't like to be bothered, but do expect staff to be responsive if I'm looking round like an eager meerkat

I always get ignored in Currys, for some reason. Even when I'm buying something and carrying a box to the till - never get an offer of help. It doesn't bother me as I research the options online and only go in to compare robustness of materials and so on before making my choice.