Male staff member in store

[Pbjsand]

Not sure if IAMBU about this, but it irritates me to no end:

I often go to a store for groceries. The store has taken to putting a male member of staff at the door (not security) to greet customers. I’m usually rushing in and out after/before school run and every.single.time. I have this man in my face saying hello as I enter and goodbye 5-10 mins later as I leave.

I feel harassed and like I’m forced to interact with an unknown man for no apparent reason when I just want to get on with my shopping, even when I make a point of looking away, trying to enter the store as far as possible from where he’s standing. It makes me so uncomfortable but I can’t put my finger on why.

Why is male relevant, would female be less of an issue?

I always respond to people, but honestly he's being paid to stand there i doubt he takes it as a personal affront if someone doesn't, having worked in retail I'd be surprised if he was bothered at all!

OP has replied to that already.

She appears to think he's 'clocking her' and leering.

Unless I've misunderstood the whole thread.

Well. You don't know, do you?.

The OP answered that question with her post at 10.57.

No, but that's not the point. People shouldn't feel bad if they feel unable to respond or don't want to, and worrying about it or making out its shameful is crazy given the high probability he isn't arsed. If he is bothered then perhaps it's not the right job for him.

I don't think it's a problem personally to greet another human being, but obviously we're all different.

You referred to people being miserable old buggers. 🫣

Neither do I, but I can empathise and understand that for some people it's more challenging, or for some its just not something they're always in the mood for; especially when they're rushing around in the morning. Judging people who don't really like it when there's nothing to suggest the recipient is bothered at all seems like a waste of time to me personally.

😂

OP get over yourself.

They have them do this as it is proven that eye contact and acknowledgement of people as they enter decreases shoplifting.

There are actually irritating people things in this world. This isn’t one of them.

Which is why I don't judge people. Hence my "we're all different" comment.

I think it’s fair to say that you have some issues OP.

It would not bother me, at all. I'd assume they are keeping a watch out for known shoplifters. I would just return their greeting and carry on. I would not find it intrusive.

What I don't like is stores (Tesco used to do this and may still do this) that encourage their till assistants to actively engage with customers over and above just saying "Good morning", "Thank you" or whatever.

While I'm busy packing a week's shopping I don't want a shop assistant who isn't known to me asking, "Do you have anything nice planned for the weekend?"

I have sometimes felt like saying, "Well, actually I'll be burying a horse."

We used to be served occasionally by a till assistant who would remark on our purchases. I didn't mind her saying how pretty the bunch of flowers I had chosen was. But she once said, "That's a lot of bananas." So the little devil that sits on my shoulder made me reply, "Yes, we've got a pet monkey." "Oh, that's nice..." she replies.

😂😂

Shop lifting in food retail is such a huge issue, I'd imagine if they've invested in the hours to use a door greeter then that's even more so the case.

I'm antisocial and wouldn't overly like this OP so get that, but equally I would likely just ignore if it was constant and I was in a rush, or simply shop elsewhere and write to them to let them know why, if it bothered me that much (whilst bearing in mind that this person is simply doing their job, so simply from the angle that it made shopping unenjoyable)

You might have a point here..

😂😂

My local M&S has started doing this - the other day I was greeted by two different members of staff at different times, while I was browsing near the front of the store, one male, one female. It made no sense as I hadn't just arrived and both spoke diffidently without trying to catch my eye so I didn't realise they were speaking to me at first and I only responded after having passed them.

I suppose it's about improving customer service, having someone to ask things of and also that they have fewer staff on tills now.

However, I'm not bothered by having to greet / respond to someone. We're all human and it's nice to be treated as such.

Poor bloke.

I would say good morning to him even if I was in a bad mood because its a simple thing for me to do compared to him having to do that job. Its a thankless task so its probably nice for him when customers do actually smile and say hello... its the least I can do..

OMG I would be delighted if I saw Troy outside my local Tesco!!!!

Your life must be really miserable OP if you view someone giving you a basic greeting as harassment. What’s so hard about saying hello & goodbye? You sound awfully rude and insular - how depressing.

The reason they have them is surely security, the amount of theft going on, I'm sure having someone like that would reduce the amount going on.
Basically a friendly face version of the usual quiet watchful security

How awful for you. It must be terribly traumatic or irritating when another human interacts with you. I'm going for a lie down.

Wow what a miserable person oyu are OP to find this annoying. Too much in a hurry to say hello? What a busy bee you are.

I came on here to say I agree with you it would annoy me but its interesting your post says male member of staff on the door and not just member of staff on the door. Is it because its a man its irritating you? It sounds like its a greeter and their job. Whilst it may be slightly annoying if you frequent daily and it happens daily its their job and perhaps they don't particularly want to stand and say hello and goodbye to every single customer but we all have bills to pay. Could just be a genuinely friendly person who enjoys their job. Either way I wouldn't think too much into it but as its clearly very irritating for you try a different shop if possible?