Blog Minx

I had an almost out-of-body experience shopping the other day at a well-known women’s clothing store. (Yes, I fell off the no-shopping wagon; Lazy Man knows how I feel.)

Anyway, the shop seemed to have about 200 employees. They smiled warmly; they touched my arm; they said, “Hi honey, my name’s Aisha and just let me know if there’s any way I can help, okay?” I smiled back and said thank you and continued browsing.

Then I had a question about sizes. I approached one of them. She looked away and started fiddling with straps and folding things. I asked my question. I got a mumbled answer and a cold shoulder. Confused, I asked someone else. Same reaction. Was I covered in blood? What was going on?

So I bought something but it was considerably less than I would have spent if someone at the store had helped me. I went to the cashier to pay.

“And what was the name of the person who helped you today?” the cashier asked. So it became clear: they wanted the credit and commission, but were unwilling to do any actual helping. How rude!

Shop assistants always seem to be either overly fawning or downright hostile. I know they’re underpaid; I used to be one. But still.. humph!

Is this related to nationality? British and French shop assistants in particular have a reputation for surliness. The ones I referred to were American. Is there a trend? What do you think?

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