Over familiar shop assistant

[StinkyCheeseMoose]

I had a bad attack of internal rage today.

Apart from a bit of snippiness - which the subject of my rage quite possibly didn't notice - I managed to keep it to myself.

I work in an office close to the high street of a small town. Every lunchtime I walk into town to buy my lunch and take it back to the office.

On my way back, I go into the newsagent to buy a newspaper and a flake.

The shop assistant is murderous-thought inducingly annoying. She is the kind of person who speaks to her elderly customers in a higher than usual sing-sing voice and seems to think that a bit of patronising chit-chat should be part of the service.

My annoyance started to accelerate a few weeks ago. I had bought a sausage roll from Greggs before I went into the newsagent.

"Oooo! That smells nice, what are we having for lunch today?" She asked.

I decided to ignore her question and paid for my paper and flake.

A few days ago, the weather was colder than had been forecast (unfortunately, the heatwave everyone else seems to be getting has passed us by). It was cold and windy and I wasn't wearing a jacket or cardigan.

"Oooo! Aren't you cold dressed like that?" She asked.

I ignored her question and paid for my paper and flake.

Yesterday, I put my paper and flake on the counter and waited to pay. As she picked up my flake, she said:

"Oooo! You really love these, don't you? You'll look like one soon if you aren't careful"

Am I unreasonable to expect a shop assistant to respect my privacy, not to quiz me on what I am having for lunch, comment on what I am wearing or what I am buying?

I don't mind a quick "It's a lovely day today" type of interaction, but all I actually want from her is quick and efficient service.

"Oooo! You really love these, don't you? You'll look like one soon if you aren't careful"
just wow.

Flaking it :D

Really OP. Go to a different shop if this poor woman trying to inject a bit of cheer in to your day annoys you so much.

You feel you have to tell people your vagina is ichy whilst buying food?

I think I've found your problem

A flake everyday? I’d be stuffed for a week if I even looked at one.

Have you tried subscribing to your favourite newspaper online?

Its a common thing to say "you eat X you'll turn into one" or similar

I personally have never come across this, but let’s just say this is common in OP’s area - OP clearly feels uncomfortable by it.

I think the shop owner could have made conversation in a different manner. If I run into shop assistants I see regularly, they ask how I am or how work is for example.

I am always super friendly and chatty to elderly people because I used to work for the office of seniors interests and I know how many of them are lonely or feel isolated / invisible. You can see them visibly perk up and they leave with a smile on their face. As a consequence its hard for me to turn it on for the elderly and off for others. I am guessing this person either is trying to be friendly to all people regardless of age or she thinks you look miserable and would appreciate some friendliness. Clearly not!

News at 10: Shop assistant tries talking in a friendly manner to regular customer.

Never mind. We will be soon conversing with Robots only.

@StinkyCheeseMoose buy a multipack of flakes on your weekly shop, (surely cheaper than buying one everyday) and read the news online. Problem solved.

You’d absolutely love my local shop OP, the guy in there is only young and deeply overshares with everyone that comes in. His recent job search, family issues, medical concerns he has, good and bad dates, even sometimes what happens after a good date iykwim… I personally find it amusing but I have seen the horror on peoples faces as we’re all queueing and he’s having the third long conversation about the same topic with different customers.

But what could you be having for lunch that is so shameful? I’m so curious 🫣

You need to get some emergency flakes for work.

Shop assistants can't win. So many threads complaining when they aren't friendly enough and now too friendly.

2 packets of 4 a week and she could use self scan at a supermarket. Problem solved

No, no, no. Where's the misery in that? I think this is a case of Mrs Doyle and the teasmade.
Maybe she likes the misery.

Ignoring their question was rude.

I fully admit im starting to look like a supernoodle i eat so many.

Love how my phone just tried to autocorrect that to supermodel. I fecking wish!

That's actually how I read it! I thought maybe you'd been eating copies of Vogue.

Sounds like normal shop chatter to me. You sound like an absolute grump.

Serious question....I've been watching a lot of the P.diddy trial and this thread has me pondering 🤔

Is anyone else wondering how the heck you can purchase 1000 bottles of baby oil without a raised eyebrow off an overly friendly clerk????? Never mind a flake ffs?

It's not what I want from my shopping experience either OP. But she's in a boring job just trying to make the time go faster. People are different and have and like different styles. Nothing is going to work for everyone.

Yikes I didn't know about the baby oil 😳

Exactly! If someone annoyed me, I’d avoid them at all costs! Not go back daily and rudely ignore their comments… like why?!

That is the question....