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?!

I feel so awkward as much as I try not to!! I feel so bad even though I tell myself there’s nothing wrong with browsing and not buying!!

This is a sad thread to read, but I do the feel the same. I have developed an elaborate strategy for craft stalls now.

I conduct an initial 'fly past'; a relatively fast-paced stride several metres out which gives the impression that I'm simply passing through. This allows me to clock the stalls that I'm actually interested in, without giving any of them the false hope that I'm planning to stop. When I reach the end I then do a 180 turn and drop into a more leisurely stroll, making a more concerted but casual bee-line for the wares that have caught my attention.

This allows me to bypass the stalls selling 80s bandanas and dolls made out of hairbands and other random (dreadful) things.

For those that do receive my visitation I will always say 'hello' to the stallholder, and usually have a chat. I do like to know the story behind the products they're selling. If I don't want to buy anything I will offer a light compliment like "Gorgeous colours" or "Very beautiful items, thank you" - before strolling on.

Would you believe I got caught yesterday!
Again!
£2.50 for a scone -and, get this I BOUGHT TWO.
It gets worse.
I got a fruit one and a cherry & almond one.
I had -well,tried- the cherry one. It was a good size but terribly overcooked, dry and solid.
The birds got the remenants &the fruit one. My birds in the garden get fed every day and the bastards eat everything,
when I came upstairs about 7.30pm the bloody scone was still there! Like a mocking monolith! The birds had eaten everything else - but not the sodding £2.50 scone.
#gutted.
What a mug l am.

OMG yes, it's especially hard when the stall owners pounce on you and then give you a detailed description of their craft and how all the bits are foraged or the chutney is great great great great grandmother's secret recipe or whatever......I feel awful when I walk away. I've decided to stop going to these too!

No, I do not share this feeling at all. They are there for you to judge their products. I am used to markets and enjoyed the banter with them, they know very well you may or may not make a purchase.