To feel awkward shopping at markets

[wanderingwillows]

I always feel awkward wandering around markets (eg Saturday morning artisan market or local festival stalls) because I feel bad if I don’t buy from any particular stall!! Surely the stallholders think/know you’re silently judging their products and if you don’t choose to buy one then it’s like a damning judgment on their hard work or craft?! Is it just me?!

Then stop staring at me!

They aren’t staring at you. They are gazing into space and you got in the way.

Then be reading a book/magazine or do "something else" rather than staring and pouncing on potential customers. It's very off-putting to be stared at or for the stall-holder to start talking at you before you've even had chance for a cursory look at what they're selling. What's wrong with a quick nod or "good morning" and then going back to doing something else to give potential customers the opportunity to browse without pressure.

Gosh, you lot are w-a-y too sensitive to being looked at! If you catch the stallholder’s eye, why can’t you say ‘Hi’ and continue browsing?

I didn't even realize that was a thing lol. Afraid I can't " get" the issue at all.

Guess many people haven't been to markets abroad

I understand it is unusual compared with most shopping where in many cases you don't even engage with any member of staff.

Plan how you are going to interact, be friendly and courteous.

Yes I hate it too. I go to one particular craft market once a year because I know a few of the sellers and I can predict what I want to buy from them and what they will charge. But otherwise it’s painful. The best situation is when they are making some of their work behind the counter as that’s both interesting and takes the pressure off the browser. But obviously that’s not possible for a lot of creators. Tbh because I know a few people who do this I also hear them moaning about how poor their sales have been so I feel under more pressure! I end up feeling like I wish they’d just get a job tbh.

I have worked as a stallholder for 30 years.
Most people don’t buy anything and we are used to rejection!
It’s a numbers game and maybe 80% don’t buy and so we expect people it.
I’m probably on mumsnet and not particularly focused on you, to be honest!

As a matter of interest, how old are you all?

I’m Gen X and I like food markets.

Oh my gosh, me too. I hate feeling watched and under pressure to purchase something, then the guilt if you walk out empty handed. It’s just so awkward.

@PermanentTemporary

The best situation is when they are making some of their work behind the counter as that’s both interesting and takes the pressure off the browser.

A huge yes to that. Slightly different "market", but DH and I frequent model fairs, exhibitions, etc., and the stalls where the seller is actually "doing" something are far more pleasurable to look at, both in terms of watching what they're doing, but also the freedom to browse at what they're selling. Some are making model kits, some are repairing models, etc - often very fascinating in itself just watching them, but it removes the pressure to think they're watching you etc. I think it's good for them too as they're actually "doing something" with their time rather than just staring at potential customers, as I can imagine it can be quite boring when there aren't many customers around.

I have seen a lot of social media posts where stall holders bemoan lack of footfall and sales. So that doesn’t help. I have bought lovely things at stalls but by their very nature they are impulse buys so most of us will not be in a position to spend a lot. I do buy more at Xmas when I need things

Yep 100%. I really really want to like markets more but for this reason I just can’t. Too much pressure.

I am feeling terribly stony hearted now!
I usually have no guilty feelings about moving onto the next stall if I don’t see anything I want.

I sell at markets and we really don't mind if you don't buy but please don't say you'll be back later to buy xyz if you don't really mean it.

A thankyou and smile is plenty. We won't hold your lack of purchase against you honest!

In my town there is an annual event where artists open up their studios or display their work in private homes, and you can go in and browse, just have a look, or buy if you want to. I love it, you get to see stunning work, and you can have a quick nosey at the lovely houses as well. But the ones I will never go back to are the ones where the artist or their friend pounces on you as soon as you walk in, spends ages talking about their process, then stops and looks at you expectantly with a big smile, obviously waiting for you to get out the credit card.

I totally get what you mean. I don't like going in little independent shops with no customers for the same reason as I feel guilty if I don't buy anything! Daft,I know!

I’m the same! And in small boutique’s and coffee shops too.

Armstrong and Miller did a very good sketch about farmers markets.

Food stalls in markets are fine if they are fairly busy. If busy it is easier to just move along if you don’t want something.
Although I am fussy about refrigeration for appropriate items. Anything left out in the sunshine for too long doesn’t get a purchase from me. And I hate no prices. Nor description of what the item actually is.

Craft stalls can be a bit difficult too. I purchased some items out of sympathy once at one market when a gust of wind blew a lot of pottery items for sale on the floor. I really felt for the stall holder. She was clearly distressed.

YANBU but I always wonder who does buy their products or produce as they are soo pricy. I did buy some nice pastries through at the last farmers market. But yes painful and just leave me to look!

If it helps, I’ve helped DP a few times when he has had a stall at art markets and I felt super awkward being on the other side of the table too.

Do you try and start a conversation with punters? Do you leave them to have a look at their leisure but then risk seeming rude for not engaging? Should you go full “The Apprentice” and start shouting “roll up, roll up” or dragging people over against their will? It’s a bloody nightmare.

I was a bit like that for many years. Until about 3 years ago. I changed jobs and now am much more confident. I know just greet the stallholder and say that I am going to look and will ask them if I need. I look around and if there is nothing I wish to buy I just say thank you and move on. It is the same with gift shops, delis, wine shops, antique shops etc.

No I dont feel awkward, theres nearly always freebies of cheese, chocolate, nuts and olives and I go away with a full tummy

If you've ever seen these types of markets in Spain or Italy, the grandmother types go in sharp elbowed, grab loads of cheese samples and just walk off. No shame whatsoever

Same.

I always feel bad for the sellers at these craft fairs. It's all very nice what they've made, but at the end of the day, the vast majority is just "pretty tat", that fills your home but has no real purpose.
And the stuff that IS usable, like maybe greetings cards, or food products, are priced SO far above the supermarket/mass market equivalent, that it feels like a waste of money.

I sell at markets, please don’t feel awkward. I don’t pounce on anyone, neither do I bite; well not at weekends anyway.

I am happy for you to come in and browse, pick things up, show your friends/partner/mum, put it down, say something nice and walk away. Often just you looking will bring someone else into the stall, who might buy. As pp said, please don’t promise to come back later on, we can usually tell those that won’t.

I work on my own so it’s just lovely to be out in the fresh air meeting people, whether they spend money or not.

My items aren’t over priced or particularly artisan, I only sell to fund my hobby really.

So please don’t feel awkward, smile and say hi, I would really appreciate that