does anyone get anooyed when you walk into a store and...?

Question

the sales people always say hi and ask how your doing? and when you leave they say goodbye. I wish i could just go shop in peace. It's not like they are being rude or anything, it's just frustrating to have to walk in to 50 stores and have to hear hi, how are you, and I say 50 times, i'm fine.

Does anyone else find that annoying?

Answer 1

Yeah, I do. Sometimes I don't feel fine and won't say it, so I lie and say that I am anyway - and I really hate this 'cause I really don't like to lie.

Besides, it's not that they actually care, it's just part of their script.

male, 45, Louisiana

Answer 2

Yes, it is annoying, but try being the greeter. I worked in retail, and I had to say hi to everyone that came in. It's so embarassing. I would say hi and people would just look at me. Then I would get mad and cuz sometimes people can be so rude and have an attitude. One time someone complained that I didn't say hi to them. Greeters just can't win. Just remember that it's there job to do that and if they had a choice I'm sure they would rather be doing something else. But really, it's to watch the front door for shop lifters.

Answer 3

I totally agree with you. Can you say "insincerity"? I really don't like the wasting of my time with the chit-chatting. It is very annoying. I also find it to be completely fake. I have very authentic and meaningful relationships in my life and I resent people imposing their chipmunky, insincere conversation on me.

Sigh. I went into this one store that I am quite familiar with and they kept showing me this and that. Argh! I know they're only doing their jobs, and I really hate it when people are rude to the salespeople, but seriously, this was driving me up the wall. They should have new rules where the salespeople are there to offer helpful information IF THE CUSTOMER MAKES THE FIRST MOVE.

Thanks for letting me vent! It's nice to know I'm not the only one!

Answer 4

It's one way to deter shoplifters. If the associates make eye contact and speak to all the guests in the store, they are more aware of what is going on in the store. Also, retail shops get visited by mystery shoppers and their scores get sent on to District Managers and on up. They want to keep their scores high and one way to do that is to greet people when they enter and to let them know they hope shoppers will return. The greetings are not going away any time soon, sorry.

Also, I saw that comment about Disney Stores, I used to work in those stores. And yes, it can be sickening at times, but they pride themselves on having the best customer service in the retail industry. People go into those stores with certain expectations and the cast members who work there want to keep those expectations for their guests. As I was told when I worked there, not everyone can afford to go to Disney World, so we have to do our best to make this Disney World for anyone who walks in the store.

Answer 5

I'd rather have that than what I get which is someone tailing me constantly as if I'm going to steal something! The thing is ,I'm not going to steal anything so,when I'm tailed and I don't steal anything they probably feel as if tailing me is working so they keep tailing me!
Oh,by the way,I'm talking about the SAFEWAY STORE IN THE FILLMORE DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO!I've been going there for three years now and for three years I've been tailed.
What am I going to do?A guy's got to eat.But.if I didn't have to eat,I would not step foot in a Safeway store.Some of there cashiers have a condescending attitude>Sometimes I just want to remind them"you are not a rock star you are a cashier at a Safeway store and my purchase is helping to pay your salary.Get over yourself."
I can't wait for the cashiers to have a union strike.I will spend every cent I have crossing the picket line.Yeah,it's that bad.

Answer 6

They are being polite. A lot of people complain they are ignored when they enter a store. It is best if these sales people say hi then allow you to browse in peace. That's what I like. When I need help then I will approach them. They shouldn't tail me around, putting pressure on me to buy something or making me feel as if they suspect me of wanting to shoplift.

Answer 7

I hate to say this, but they are doing what they are taught to do. Have you worked in retail? Or a gym? Or a fast food restaurant? A lot of people believe that its a simple way to show the customer respect. And marketing geniuses who collect lots of data tell corporate headhanchos to make their employees do it. Its courtesy. So, honey, put on some headphones and listen to music to tune them out. Otherwise, you'll just continue to get annoyed.

Answer 8

Oh my God, I know! I wish I could just go in and look around without having to talk to every employee that comes near me...especially after a looong day.

I know it's store policy and they are just doing their job but I find it annoying because it is SO insincere!

Answer 9

It's not annoying. If I feel like saying hello, I will. If not, I just keep walking and pretend I didn't hear them. lol I'm sure they don't care, it's their job. They can't expect everyone to be in a good mood all the time.

Answer 10

I went to Victoria's Se-cert the other day! I was about ready to walk out the door! They were like Hi honey, how can we help you? Every sales girl was like that!! I about lost it! Then when I was ready to check out they kept on sending me to a different register on the cosmet sics side! where this sweet girl, all by herself was just trying to make sales herself and ringing up people. She said that they ( this store) has been like this for a while and she was fed up! I told her I hope she rung up my sale under her name! I felt bad!

Answer 11

Ever been to the Disney store?
They're so sickeningly nice and helpful and cheery that you'll beg to be in a regular store where they just say hi and goodbye.