I am a grumpy old man IRL

['andersom']

I hate it when they approach and ask if I need any help. I was in a bookshop the other day and basically browsing their offerings when someone did that. Do they honestly think that people only visit when looking for something in particular?

Look straight at them, and tell that you found what you are looking for, meeting them 
That should make them back off.

['andersom']

It's more excusable when it's store personnel doing their job.

I find it amazing, what random people now and then decide to tell me. Weirdest stuff. As if I am a walking confession box. I think it is because I suck at chit-chat. My reaction is always wrong, when it comes to keeping it light and normal. It triggers people to tell lots of very personal details.

When not wanting to speak to anyone, I limit my shopping to the bakery only. He does not mind me coming in and saying: "No, don't want to talk". He can do the same to me.
 

[Charlotte Quin]

I hate it when they approach and ask if I need any help. I was in a bookshop the other day and basically browsing their offerings when someone did that. Do they honestly think that people only visit when looking for something in particular?

Look straight at them, and tell that you found what you are looking for, meeting them 
That should make them back off.

They seem to ask me just as I'm walking out of the shop. I answer with "yes, help me exit" under my breath.

And there's never a shop assistant available when you actually need one. Especially in electronic stores.

[odeon]

I hate it when they approach and ask if I need any help. I was in a bookshop the other day and basically browsing their offerings when someone did that. Do they honestly think that people only visit when looking for something in particular?

Look straight at them, and tell that you found what you are looking for, meeting them 
That should make them back off.

You haven't seen the clerk in question.

[odeon]

I hate it when they approach and ask if I need any help. I was in a bookshop the other day and basically browsing their offerings when someone did that. Do they honestly think that people only visit when looking for something in particular?

Look straight at them, and tell that you found what you are looking for, meeting them 
That should make them back off.

They seem to ask me just as I'm walking out of the shop. I answer with "yes, help me exit" under my breath.

And there's never a shop assistant available when you actually need one. Especially in electronic stores.

This is a double-edged sword. It is true that it is impossible to find them when you need them, but OTOH, they don't actually know anything.

[odeon]

It's more excusable when it's store personnel doing their job.

I find it amazing, what random people now and then decide to tell me. Weirdest stuff. As if I am a walking confession box. I think it is because I suck at chit-chat. My reaction is always wrong, when it comes to keeping it light and normal. It triggers people to tell lots of very personal details.

When not wanting to speak to anyone, I limit my shopping to the bakery only. He does not mind me coming in and saying: "No, don't want to talk". He can do the same to me.
 

^Awesome

['andersom']

I hate it when they approach and ask if I need any help. I was in a bookshop the other day and basically browsing their offerings when someone did that. Do they honestly think that people only visit when looking for something in particular?

Look straight at them, and tell that you found what you are looking for, meeting them 
That should make them back off.

You haven't seen the clerk in question.

Is he fancying you? In that case,  would be a dangerous thing to do indeed.

[odeon]

I hate it when they approach and ask if I need any help. I was in a bookshop the other day and basically browsing their offerings when someone did that. Do they honestly think that people only visit when looking for something in particular?

Look straight at them, and tell that you found what you are looking for, meeting them 
That should make them back off.

You haven't seen the clerk in question.

Is he fancying you? In that case,  would be a dangerous thing to do indeed.

[Icequeen]

It's more excusable when it's store personnel doing their job.

I find it amazing, what random people now and then decide to tell me. Weirdest stuff. As if I am a walking confession box. I think it is because I suck at chit-chat. My reaction is always wrong, when it comes to keeping it light and normal. It triggers people to tell lots of very personal details.

When not wanting to speak to anyone, I limit my shopping to the bakery only. He does not mind me coming in and saying: "No, don't want to talk". He can do the same to me.
 

I'm glad to hear that happens to someone else as well. I feel like I should offer candy for confession or something.

"Here put this tic tac under your tongue, hum a led zeppelin tune and all will be forgiven."

I will go home and have nightmares now.

['andersom']

It's more excusable when it's store personnel doing their job.

I find it amazing, what random people now and then decide to tell me. Weirdest stuff. As if I am a walking confession box. I think it is because I suck at chit-chat. My reaction is always wrong, when it comes to keeping it light and normal. It triggers people to tell lots of very personal details.

When not wanting to speak to anyone, I limit my shopping to the bakery only. He does not mind me coming in and saying: "No, don't want to talk". He can do the same to me.
 

I'm glad to hear that happens to someone else as well. I feel like I should offer candy for confession or something.

"Here put this tic tac under your tongue, hum a led zeppelin tune and all will be forgiven."

I will go home and have nightmares now.

That's about it, indeed.

Not always, sometimes it is just sad, like someone in a totally freaked out situation asking me to walk a bit with her towards where she lived, because she did not dare to walk through one street alone. And before that telling all kinds of conspiracy theories towards her that just could not be true.
I did walk that street with her. Of course.

["couldbecousin"]

I hate it when they approach and ask if I need any help. I was in a bookshop the other day and basically browsing their offerings when someone did that. Do they honestly think that people only visit when looking for something in particular?

  I was once greeted in a bookstore by an almost aggressively cheerful salesperson.
  I just wasn't up for that much attention.  I turned around and exited the store like a spaz. 

[renaeden]

^I would have done the same!

["couldbecousin"]

^I would have done the same!

  Yeah, sometimes I'm fine with that kind of friendliness, but that day I just wanted to browse invisibly. 

[Charlotte Quin]

Ohh, sales assistants have another trick now! When you say "I'm fine thanks" they pretend they didn't hear you!

I can't remember which shop it happened in today. Oh yes it was a dress shop, sells resort wear kinda.

Then it happened a little while ago at a junk jewellery shop:
Her: "Are you happy browsing today?"
Me: "Yes, I'm fine thanks"
(pretends not to hear)
Her: "Are. You. Happy, Browsing. Today???"
Me: "Bitch I'm outta here"

['andersom']

Ohh, sales assistants have another trick now! When you say "I'm fine thanks" they pretend they didn't hear you!

I can't remember which shop it happened in today. Oh yes it was a dress shop, sells resort wear kinda.

Then it happened a little while ago at a junk jewellery shop:
Her: "Are you happy browsing today?"
Me: "Yes, I'm fine thanks"
(pretends not to hear)
Her: "Are. You. Happy, Browsing. Today???"
Me: "Bitch I'm outta here"

You need carrying cards of the nearest hearing shop, to hand out when people pretend not to hear you. And give it to them with the biggest smile possible, saying, "I think this may be of great assistance to you, if you want to keep your job".