I think I have a sign on my forehead that tells strangers, "Please talk to me!" But I am here to tell you right now . . . DON'T! I DO NOT CARE!!!
Now don't take this the wrong way. I love listening . . . to my friends, family, acquaintances, etc. In fact, I really love being a listening ear. But sometimes I do not want strangers to come up to me and start talking. This was one thing I was not expecting to be part of my transition to suburbia. But over the past few months I have learned that there really is a difference between city dwellers and suburbanites (yes, that's a word).
1. Today I was getting a pedicure and the manicurist (nail technician? is there an appropriate title?) kept asking me questions. "Are you visiting?" "Where do you live?" "What are you studying in school?" The list goes on. Mind you, I was texting on my phone and had a magazine open on my lap. Please leave me alone and let me enjoy some peace and quiet while pampering myself.
2. While my nails were drying an old lady was determined to talk my ear off. Again, I still had my magazine. M'am, just because I'm in business school does not mean that I want to hear all of your business ideas.
3. When I walk into a retail store, I appreciate excellent customer service. "Hello!" "Welcome?" "Can I help you?" All appropriate. You've invited me into your store and provided a welcoming place to shop. Now, when I say "I'm just looking" or "Thank you, I'll let you know if I need any help," I mean it. Please don't following me around the store. Please don't proceed to tell me about the shipment you just got in. If I want your help, I'll ask. Being present, but not in my face is a really good thing.
4. When I'm at Target and wearing a green shirt, do you really think I work there? I'm pretty sure Target has done a great job with their branding - and their bullseye is red. If you ask me a question and I know the answer, I am more than happy to answer it. But when you are expecting me to help you find it, that is when I will politely direct you to a real employee and roll my eyes.
5. Oh and in the check-out line I don't want to hear your life story or how you have X amount of hours left on your shift. Please just ring up my items and let me pay. I came to the store to shop. Get in. Get out. I'm not going to stand around and wait for you to finish your story. There are other people in line too.
Sometimes I just want to scream. I promise I'm a nice person :) I didn't realize just how different shopping in New York is.
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5 comments:
Hahahahaha. People don't talk to you here. You are welcome to visit anytime!
I love you Kristan! Ha ha!! You said what we are all thinking sometimes. Sometimes I want to punch those retail people in the face. Let start a petition to get some peace and quite in the stores...the "Let Me Shop in Peace Petition."
I would sign that petition! I'm glad to know there are others out there that want to be left alone. Something similar happened to me today while shopping and I just pretended that I didn't hear. Sometimes playing deaf isn't a bad thing! :)
To me this is all very normal, a little extreme that they keep talking to you. But still normal. You were in NY too long.
Amen Sister. I do not wear red with khaki pants purely because Target has ruined the color combination, and I don't like talking to strangers. My mother taught me that lesson and I choose to observe it.
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