23 thoughts on “The Trouble With Shopping Centres”

  1. I’m so happy that someone else shares my anxiety. Our little Coles up the road is our corner shop but I’ll drive miles to go elsewhere if there is a stall set up at the door. Except for Legacy and Red Poppies, they are truly staffed by volunteers.

    I hate being rude too, everyone has to make a living. My method, if I can’t avoid, is similar to yours. As soon as I make eye contact I smile and say thanks but no thanks but good luck.

    Surely the shopping centres don’t make enough from the stalls to make it worthwhile annoying us customers.

  2. It is actually illegal for them to approach you, these sellers in shopping centres, it is only ok if you decide to go up to them on your own terms. I regularly see eldery pensioners being conned and I want to drag them away. I don’t look at them even if they speak to me I just walk on by. Hubby usually says in an EXTREMELY loud voice – ‘it is illegal to harass me, don’t do it’ … lol

  3. I say, “I’m fine thanks. Can’t stop.”
    If they engage me further, I explain that I have reached my charity quota and I wish them well but I’m not interested.
    Sometimes they’re so damn aggressive! They flirt with you, try to discredit your chosen charities (it’s none of their business and how dare they), try to guilt you if you have to walk past them twice after saying you can’t stop. BLAH BLAH.
    I avoid eye contact sometimes – it’s just easier. I feel rude, but then I think they’re rude for being so pushy and inappropriate too. It’s my life! I don’t have to justify anything to a stranger who wants to sell me stuff or have me donate. I just say that over and over in my head to give me courage haha. Sometimes it works, sometimes I fail miserably!

  4. If you were his mother I bet you would have raised him to have more bloody respect…what a dick!

  5. This happens in Hawaii too! That is one of the reasons I don’t like going to the mall these days. So irritating!!!!

  6. I hate going shopping sometimes all because of these people, I have learnt over the years just to smile politely and say no and just keep walking. Sometimes if I know that they will be there I will enter or leave through a different enterance….

  7. I try not to make eye contact, but either way, I don’t slow down and just give them a breezy “No, thank you!”. I also do this with telemarketers. A nice “No, thank you!” and I hang up. I don’t feel that’s rude because they cold-called me in the first place.

  8. I can’t stand it and it makes me feel slightly anxious too. I hate it the most when they talk to the kids. That is when I get really cross. I wish shopping centres wouldn’t allow them.

  9. OH MY GOODNESS – I can not believe that teen punk said that to you!!? WHAT?! They are the worst, I try hard to do your Huz’ trick, but sometimes they are too good. If I do engage – I’m suddenly in a roaring hurry, sorry – I’m all “I’m in a R-U-S-H……………”

  10. ha ha, I always have to have dark glasses on when I’m outside so most of the time, they can’t make eye contact with me. I rarely ever have any cash on me either so I am not lying to them when I say I have no money. Most of the time. I just walk past looking around and making like I’m busy (which I usually am, rushing somewhere) and they don’t catch me. I’m wondering if it’s coz I’m only 4ft 8″ (which is about 141cms??) and I have this ‘don’t mess with me, I’ve been around longer than you’ look about me. I can usually get away or boycott them. It’s the ones that walk after you that freak me out and I’ve had to put my hand up and and say stop, don’t come any closer, I don’t want to be rude but I will if you keep following me. It’s life, it is what it is and mostly I avoid going to shopping centres.

  11. I used to BE one of these people, when I first moved to the city and couldn’t find work. The conditions and pay are terrible. There is so much pressure to sell, so I understand the despairation, this kids tactics are terrible though! What a little punk!

    I’ll often give a pleasant response and walk by, if I’m inclined though I will stop, tell them that I used to do what they do, share my story and tell them they can do better and find a better job!!

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