To find this an odd comment from the charity shop assistant

[LellyJelly]

I was looking through some rail, one near the till and I was looking at some trousers for a while, just seeing what they were like. I could feel that she was watching me. All of a sudden the assistant said 'they're a size 20, I don't think they'd be any good for you.' Aibu to think this is odd to comment on? She doesn't know my size and I felt like she was a bit strange to decide what would be good or not for me.

I wouldn't haven't been offended by it, but yeah it was odd IMO. No need for her to have commented at all. This is why I hate going into small-ish shops with only 1 staff member in. You often get annoying, inane small talk and drivel from the shop assistant. I just want to look at the goods, I will have a quick chat to the assistant as I'm paying. Leave me alone while I'm looking.

A local furniture store lost a £1000 sale from me and DH last year, after a woman who worked in there followed me and DH around like a fucking shadow, hanging onto us, mithering us, suggesting things for us (even though she doesn't know us - or what our house looks like!) and refusing to leave us alone. FIVE TIMES me and DH said 'thanks anyway, but we'll have a look with just the two of us now and let you know when we need you.' Still, she refused to fuck off.

After around 14-15 minutes I just walked out. DH came out 30 seconds later. We wanted to be left ALONE to look and peruse, and try different armchairs and beds out. But we couldn't relax because of her interfering, talking at us, asking multiple questions, and following us around like a sheep.

.

@xTheLoudLeaderx WhatsInTheRug
Which is where?

Concentrate on the what she’s selling… general retail duties. Usually making people feel welcome. I used to work in retail and never would ever tell a customer that something wouldn’t be any good for them and make them feel uncomfortable. In a charity shop too… sounds like she’s in the wrong job.

Please 😂

Most likely the 'shop worker' is a volunteer with minimal training

Er,please 🤨

What on earth was snooty about what she said?

It's a very Mumsnet thing.

"OMG OMG OMG SOMEONE COMMENTED ON SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY BODY!!!"

Meanwhile in the real world.... 🙄

I would expect an experienced shop assistant to be good at estimating a customer's size. She obviously assessed you accurately, you are not a size 20. Why would you be offended that she interacted with you? Your response should be "Thank you but they're not for me", "Thank you but I find x brand comes up really small", "Thank you but they're such nice fabric I would adjust them/turn them into a skirt/line the dog's bed" or just "Thank you".

Tell us you hate Americans without actually telling us you hate Americans.

Assuming you know everything about everybody........! 🙄

MANY people get upset and bothered when people make thoughtless comments about their body/dress size/body shape etc. If you don't, well woop de doo, and bully for you!

Seriously? You're upset at someone giving you a compliment? What a weirdo!
I used to work as a sales person at a clothing shop and we are thought to interact with customers.
If you don't want to interact, you can tell her politely.

Some of my local charity shops 'employ ' people with a level of special needs.
I don't expect professional levels of service on a charity shop. I'm just glad that there are people who give their time, free of charge, to staff them.

Jeeze, it's not Selfridges. It's not even H&M. It's a charity shop trying to raise money with staff who maybe each do half a day a week to help out.

Many many people who work in charity shops are volunteers, often there to learn skills, including social skills, and may have been away from any work place for some time. Some are recovering from illness, may have/had mental health problems. It can be a route into permanent employment. She probably didn't mean any offence.

If I want the opinion of a shop worker, I can ask.

I assume most people volunteering in charity shops have additional needs of one sort or another, is certainly the case in the ones around here. Which is why you get that sort of behaviour / service in charity shops and not other types.

I would have just responded "I'm not looking for myself, thank you for letting me know though" and carried on.

Oooh, Lady Muck just popped by.

And 'many' people don't 🤷‍♂️

The OP is someone who apparently does and she met someone who probably doesn't.

This is the OP's problem, not the volunteer's.

Anyone with experience would ask to help, e.g ask what they was looking for… not straight in with “they’re no good for you”

Yes, if this had been John Lewis... However, most charity shop assistants are volunteers, so it may be reasonable to cut them some slack.

I think the response the OP was looking for was something along the lines of "You are probably right, but it's so difficult these days - I find sizing is often all over the place!"

This. ^ Some are fine, but some do insist on throwing their opinions in. I fucking hate it when I'm taking stuff through the checkout and the operator comments on my shopping/my food/what I'm buying. Just scan the stuff and mind your own business.

This is why I prefer self-scan!

Well, most people don't mind a compliment. She can't read your mind. Just learn to communicate your desires instead of judging her.
A good salesperson wouldn't just sit silently at the cash ignoring a customer, actually it would be a bad thing to do.

You can't be real, surely?

Perhaps you looked like a shop-lifter and she wanted to let you know you were being watched?

I bet more people DO! 🤷‍♂️

She is, and she’s just getting started.

Yes it happens!

I disagree but even if you're right, it's still no-one else's problem but their own.

YABU

It’s difficult to imagine anyone being this much of a cunt.

the woman was being helpful. The trousers were at least 2, possibly 3 sizes too big for the OP.