My Christmas shopping has brought me to a serious pondering...
I've actually gotten into the habit of having an escape plan every time I go to the mall now. I'm not talking about in the event that there is a mad chaotic riot.... No, I'm talking about dodging those vendors in the middle aisle of the mall. For lack of a better term, I'll call them "Mall Stalkers". You know what I mean... they're the ones manning and selling the mineral make-up, lotions, body gels, curling irons, and some waxy stuff that I have so far managed to dodge effectively. They are persistent to the point that Martin now knows I avoid them, and deftly nudges me to the outside to help my cause. This sometimes works, and sometimes not... better not lag behind, or, BAM! They have you. "Miss, miss, oh, you are so beautiful.... look at your eyes.... would you like to try.... would you like a sample.....oh, you have beautiful hair, would you like to curl it?...." and on, and on, and on! Seriously, I noted the other day- they station one person on each corner of their cart- aiming to catch people from every direction, I suppose. I want to run. I want to hide. At one point, I heard myself BEGGING the girl to "please, please don't".
I'm not sure what type of clientele this is working on, but it turns me off big time. My guess is that it reels in those that just really can't say no... and then suddenly, they're headed home with a foggy head, a little of a shopping hangover, and the mystery of how they have that $75 worth of waxy blue something to take home with them.
I'm just wondering when it became okay to accost people while they are shopping. Dodging eye contact does not work, re-routing your destination to the other side of the booth does not work, a polite no-thank you does not work. So, I am forced to work the mall from the safety of the second level, and find it a much more peaceful experience. I simply walk the second level, and only descend from the safety of the department store escalator, and only when there's a particular store I must hit.
Is anyone with me on this, or am I alone?
I'm with you! I keep my cell phone in hand and pretend to be talking when I pass them. Then I don't have to cut them off and they leave me alone. I wish they would not be so pushy.
ReplyDeletei, too, am in agreement on this! we had one lady from a photo booth follow us INTO another store trying to get us to sign-up to get our pictures made!!
ReplyDeleteThe "no eye contact" is the best solution...that, and trying to walk fast and walk as close to the wall as you can!
ReplyDeleteLike modern day gypsies. I hate the "hot stuffed shoulder massage thingy" people who aggressively try to rub your back. I have avoided them but only by staring at the floor, moving to the far side of the corridor, and trucking it by.
ReplyDelete