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.

Little village hall craft markets are the worse. I end up buying bits of tat because I feel I should even though I go in with the intention of not buying anything other than perhaps a cake.

I used to go to a lot of antique fairs - still do occasionally. It never occurred to me to consider what the stallholder thought. I just concentrated on the goods. Possibly because I am a dealer myself and its just business.

I think you can understand the purpose and function of the market whilst still feeling uncomfortable within yourself.

I don't tend to go unless I already have in mind that I'm willing to spend money on something, but that is true of going to the shops in general for me. I don't go to them for the sake of walking around looking at what's for sale - I go if I need something or otherwise genuinely fancy doing some shopping or treating myself and have the funds to do it if I see something I want.

I am a bit socially awkward though, and had a time of it when we went to a market on holiday recently. Lots of lovely things and stallholders but twice I had a sample (food) hoisted on me which I didn't enjoy at all -the stallholders both passionately explaining the making process and how much they love the product made me feel incredibly guilty. It took everything in me to conclude the conversation and leave without just buying them anyway and I thought about it for weeks afterwards and cringed at myself wondering how I could have handled it better, or if that was even possible.

I do understand the pressure but just ignore it. They just stare at you while you browse ready to jump on you.

I sell at antique fairs. I love talking to customers about the things on my stall. If they buy something, it's a nice bonus, but I'm happy to just chat. I understand that money is tight and antiques are a luxury so I'm never offended if someone just looks.

It’s nice to feel like I’m not alone in my awkwardness!

@Iriseee I do the “fly past” too!

@DaisyDooley That made me laugh, even the birds wouldn’t have it 😂

I feel so guilty but everything is so expensive. Yes, I know it’s expensive because it’s lovingly handmade and taken 400 hours to make with extra special local ingredients that cost a fortune and they make it all themselves instead of exploiting children in some poverty stricken country. But that doesn’t change the fact it’s unaffordable for most people. Even the small cards cost a bomb. No thanks, I’d rather be a horrible person and go to Card Factory.

I know what you mean but unless you want to spend a fortune on stuff you don't really want you either have to avoid the market or develop a thicker skin.

You can admire the wares without buying them - if it's hand made craft the seller will appreciate any compliments even if you don't buy.

Yabu. Please don't feel awkward, feel virtuous.

Just by being there, visiting local artisans and not automatically going to Tescos, Amazon Temu and the other giant retailers that are destroying our high streets and the planet, you are helping your local economy.

What makes me feel awkward, is paying upwards of a fiver for some horrible toxic supermarket cake with stupid amounts of packaging.

Same. Exactly. Sometimes I feel like this in shops too, but it’s worse in markets.

Think you lot are overthinking this. I used to sell at craft markets. It’s actually v boring so I said hi to everyone just cos otherwise I may have fallen asleep!

This.. I understand the prices absolutely and appreciate the work. But most can’t afford.

Omg this is me! And I won’t get any free tasters because I can’t handle trying something then walking away.

Another market seller here!
Please don't feel judged or awkward. I never speak to people expecting to buy, also it's perfectly OK to say 'I'm just browsing' which I always interpret as 'I don't want to be spoken to'