May I Ask You A Question? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

12/22/2006 11:23:26 AM · #1

Just a little holiday venting here. I'm wondering if this is something that's going on at every mall in the country, or if it's just a rash of aggressive, super annoying people here in the Pittsburgh area.

As I have had the thrill of visiting a few of our local malls over the course of the last week, I've been pounced on at each mall by these morons at various kiosks. I make a point of walking briskly and purposefully while shopping in hopes that these people will ignore me, but they'll still pounce right out in front of me and say, "Excuse me, sir, may I ask you a question!?"

I either give them a nasty glare and move on, or tell them no, they may not ask me a question. Yesterday I actually told the guy, "I'm sorry, I don't speak English." I didn't even try to pretend to have a foreign accent when I said it, either.

Obviously when these people approach me to ask me a "question," they're not going to ask me whether I know what time it is, or whether or not it's snowing outside. They're going to ask me if I'm satisfied with my cell phone service, or if I need a new blender, or whether I've ever considered a sex change, or God knows what. And I have absolutely zero tolerance for this kind of pushy crap.

Anyway, anyone else want to vent about their holiday experiences? And don't even get me started on rude cashiers and other staff members.

jpeters

Nikon D200

12/22/2006 11:33:08 AM · #2

It's the aroma therapy kiosks that are the worst. I feel your pain and am definitely looking forward to having my Christmas shopping over with.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

12/22/2006 11:34:03 AM · #3

I believe that your mall must be experiencing an infestation of "killer salespeople." They have been slowly spreading acros the country. The infestation apparently started on the East Coast, when normal salespeople interbred with the highly aggressive New York Salesperson. These hybrid salespeople resemble normal salespeople, but they may be recognized by the fact that they congregate in small nests called "kiosks" and rarely form large "teams" like normal salesfolk. They have been detected in 83% of US malls, and attempts to eradicate them have failed. They thrive on food court food, a fact that has made starving them out nearly impossible.

dassilem

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/22/2006 11:34:44 AM · #4

agree with you....and what irks me is that it then appears as if WE are the rude ones....If I have a question, need a service, etc....I will ask for it!!! Not expect it to jump out at me in the mall hall.

Last night I stopped in the local Stewart's shop(convenience store) and before she would give me my change she asked me 'would you "donate a dollar to the [whatever] charity". I said 'No'. She then proceeded to explain to me that every dollar helps!! So I said I would gladly accept a dollar donation towards Team Rebecca's Heart Run and Walk Team. Guess what....she said 'NO', its Christmas time and I'm collecting for Christmas charities. So I informed her when she supported my cause, I would gladly reciprocate!

What a low life I am apparently!

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm /f4.0 Pro

12/22/2006 11:37:33 AM · #5

I can't stand malls even when they're dead. Where I live in VT, I've become so fed up with the nasty, rude, and just plain stupid cashiers and staff that I refuse to shop locally at ANY store, unless I have NO alternative. I happily pay online shipping so I don't have to deal with the locals.

And as far as those kiosk people go, you've got it just right! Being polite doesn't work with them, as awful as that is. I tend to glower and keep walking, which helps deter most of them. And when it doesn't, I turn and advance on them, and I'm 6'3", so it generally gets them backing up pretty fast. And oh, what the heck, I admit it - that's the only part of the experience I enjoy at all.

To be honest, you've got my deepest sympathy for having to go to a mall at this time of year. I won't. I avoid the business districts and main roads like the plague, keeping to the backroads, and I basically don't go out anywhere that I'd have to face the crowds.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

12/22/2006 11:38:03 AM · #6

Alan - yes, the stress level does go up this time of year doesn't it.

Couple of suggestions: When you get the silly "Excuse me, sir, may I ask you a question?" person, try looking at the person and simply say, gently if you can, "No, thank you. Happy Holidays to you, Bye." and move on.

Also, those rude cashiers and other staff? When next you make a transaction, get eye contact with the cashier, and say "thank you for helping me with this." Especially the young ones, with little experience, and a lot of recalcitrant customers, will feel grateful for your empathy.

You know all this, everyone knows this. It's just that sometimes we get a little caught up in the madness of crowd behavior.

Okay, off my own soapbox, now.

Happy holidays!

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/22/2006 11:39:28 AM · #7

Originally posted by jpeters:

It's the aroma therapy kiosks that are the worst. I feel your pain and am definitely looking forward to having my Christmas shopping over with.

You know, you're absolutely right -- at least two of the ones I encountered were indeed pushing aroma therapy!!

I love Kirbic's theory, and I thought I'd toss my own into the mix: I think that these people are actually working to promote the online shopping industry. Perhaps Amazon.com, or other online giants, are using these people to infiltrate brick & mortar shops to remind us how convenient and carefree shopping can be from the comforts of home.

Canon EOS-20D

12/22/2006 11:41:12 AM · #8

Originally posted by alanfreed:

...or whether I've ever considered a sex change...

They perform those at your mall kiosks? And I thought the Mall of America had everything! (Alaina?)

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/22/2006 11:41:54 AM · #9

Originally posted by dassilem:

agree with you....and what irks me is that it then appears as if WE are the rude ones....

That's the strategy, actually. They teach salespeople to force you into a situation where the only way you can say no is by being rude. Just keep in mind that they are being rude to put you into such a situation. That makes it easier to step on them.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

12/22/2006 11:44:15 AM · #10

I like to get dressed up in my hockey gear and run through the malls. Pushy sales people feel the wrath of a body-check, elbow, cross-check, slash, or roughing.

(well, i can dream can't i?)

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

12/22/2006 11:46:16 AM · #11

Originally posted by sfalice:

When you get the silly "Excuse me, sir, may I ask you a question?" person, try looking at the person and simply say, gently if you can, "No, thank you. Happy Holidays to you, Bye." and move on.

I will gladly admit that you are absolutely right on this, and I certainly admire your ability to do that! But my fuse is just too short, and I can't help it.

Yesterday I was trying to locate a book that I know my daughter will enjoy, and I stopped at NUMEROUS book stores in my efforts to find it. If I am the first person to initiate a conversation, I actually DO make an effort to be VERY polite about it.

But with just one exception yesterday, each person I asked literally snapped back at me with, "NO! We're sold out of it!" They didn't sound apologetic or anything, just snippy and rude. The guy at Barnes & Noble was actually very, very nice, and offered to call me when it was in... so he was an exception.

KaDi

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

12/22/2006 11:46:23 AM · #12

If salespeople are going to act like pop-up ads, they should be treated like them. What happens if you respond to a pop-up? You get more of the same. You increase spamming. You encourage them to continue doing what they're doing. So, if you can't stay out of the mall, ignore them and give no satisfaction of response. Then drop by the mall office and fill out a complaint form and tell them how kiosk vendors make you rush past their high-rent stores.

Makka

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/22/2006 11:49:25 AM · #13

Yes...we get them over here in Australia too. Always a lot more of them this time of year! They are just damn annoying!

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/22/2006 11:52:21 AM · #14

Another reason for Holiday shopping online. I try to avoid malls at all costs during the Holidays.

I did go to a mall once this year to get a gift for my sister. She wanted a manicure set, so I went to the mall to a store my wife recommended called Sephora. I got pounced on by 3 salesgirls as soon as I walked in there, I guess they don't get many guys in there or something. I was actually ok with that since I just wanted to get out of there and they quickly showed me what to get then boxed it up really nice for me. I didn't even look at the $45 price tag I just wanted to get in and out.

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/22/2006 11:52:46 AM · #15

What happens if you bring out your camera and start taking photographs when they approach you?

I'm considering a suicide mission at a mall on Christmas Eve with my holga.

KaDi

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

12/22/2006 11:55:31 AM · #16

Originally posted by quiet_observation:

What happens if you bring out your camera and start taking photographs when they approach you?

I'm considering a suicide mission at a mall on Christmas Eve with my holga.

Remember that malls are private property and most have restrictions on photography. Unless you want to get better acquainted with the security staff you should probably reconsider commando camera tactics. :)

vxpra

Pentax K100D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

12/22/2006 11:56:27 AM · #17

My Brother in Law....we'll call him Justin....because that is his name. Likes to turn the tables on these people. I made the mistake of doing some Christmas shopping with him (he came up with about 20 ideas for himself and 1 for his wife, but thats another forum). We walked into the mall, there must have been 10 sales people lined up at the door. The first one that came up to us says...."Mind if I ask you a question?" Justin immediatly starts in. "No, if I can ask you one first?" He goes off on this whole spiel about how he's down on his luck and just blew his last hundred at the casino in a desperate attempt to pay his rent and now he's come to the mall to beg for cash. Then he finishes with "What did you want to ask me?"

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

12/22/2006 11:57:09 AM · #18

Originally posted by kirbic:

Too funny not to repeat this. :)

Worse are the hordes of ill-mannered shoppers, particularly those who appear not to have noticed the throngs of people trying to get past them as they chat on cell phones, or finger merchandise.

Postgate1

Canon 2000D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

12/22/2006 11:59:56 AM · #19

"Excuse me, sir, may I ask you a question!?"
Well you had one question to ask and you just used it all up.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/22/2006 12:03:43 PM · #20

Originally posted by quiet_observation:

What happens if you bring out your camera and start taking photographs when they approach you?

I'm considering a suicide mission at a mall on Christmas Eve with my holga.

Awesome idea. For all of those people who are looking to get into doing portraiture but can't find subjects or afraid to approach people on the street - go to the mall. These sales people are falling over themselves to talk to you - just turn it around on them.

Can I ask you a question ? Sure, but only if you pose for a couple of pictures first...

tate

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

12/22/2006 12:04:21 PM · #21

I went shopping the other day - I hadn't planned on doing it.
I was alone... no wife, no kid. It was great. YUP!
I smiled at everyone.
My advice - SMILE. I guarantee it will improve your experience.
You'll also give these vendors something refreshing and improve their day too.

Also: don't commit to a gift until you see the line you have to wait in ...
Get gifts where there are little or no lines (New Balance store, perfume counters etc.)