The New Intimacy

Annoying kiosk people at the mall

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Contributor: Jenn (aka kissmykitty) Jenn (aka kissmykitty)
(EdenFantasys)
For those of you that shop in malls, do you ever run into those annoying people who man the hair care/skin care/nail care kiosks? You know the ones -- they practically accost you if you dare make eye contact with them or walk within twenty feet of their stand.

At our local mall there are two pain-in-ass kiosks manned by equally pain-in-the-ass employees, and of *course* they're situated right outside of Victoria's Secret and Sephora. Every time I go by I have to duck my head, walk quickly, or wave them off. I *hate* being rude, but it seems like they leave me no choice. A simple, "No thank you, I'm not interested" or, "No thank you, my hair is already naturally straight, so why would I want to purchase a hair straightener?" never seems to suffice. Grr!
09/21/2010
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Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by Jenn (aka kissmykitty)
For those of you that shop in malls, do you ever run into those annoying people who man the hair care/skin care/nail care kiosks? You know the ones -- they practically accost you if you dare make eye contact with them or walk within twenty feet of ... more
I HATE them! I feel bad because they are just doing their job but those spider looking head scratcher things totally skeeve me out. As do the little warm neck wraps and things that you know they've put on other strangers. Ick!
09/21/2010
Contributor: Envy Envy
All Kiosk people tend to annoy me. Unless I go right over there I prefer not to be bothered. Usually though, they leave me alone because I dress tomboy and look really really young that they must figure I am not old enough to have my own credit cards and such, haha.
09/21/2010
Contributor: Andromeda Andromeda
Oh there are a few kiosks at my mall where they try to hand out "free samples" in paper cups. What they actually do is grab your wrist when you reach for the cup and then start using whatever nail care or hand care stuff they're trying to sell. I just ignore them completely now.
09/21/2010
Contributor: Envy Envy
Quote:
Originally posted by Andromeda
Oh there are a few kiosks at my mall where they try to hand out "free samples" in paper cups. What they actually do is grab your wrist when you reach for the cup and then start using whatever nail care or hand care stuff they're trying ... more
...isn't it illegal for them to put their hands on you like that without your permission? I'd have gotten terribly POed about that and would have demanded her get his hands off me lest I break them. (I really do hate being touched when I don't want to be.)
09/21/2010
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
I rarely go to the mall. I hate it. But, I know those people have to work on commission. Many of them are immigrants who have been roped into "deals" to make "lots of money" and they believe it. Most of them sink all their money into products that they have to then sell or go broke. It's terrible.

In our neighborhood, we have these kids going door to door, selling "magazine subscriptions" they tell you "I only need to sell 4 more subscriptions and I can go to a trip to Europe to study." In reality, they are runaways and homeless kids who are collected by Fagin like men who put them out to scam people. I never buy anything from them. One of them got bit by a neighbor's dog a few weeks ago, (she was probably trying to get into the person's house and these people have pit bulls) and I am sure the guy in the white van, whom she works for was creaming in his jeans thinking about the law suit.

It's these types of things that happen when there are no jobs and the economy sucks.
09/21/2010
Contributor: Persephone Nightmare Persephone Nightmare
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
...isn't it illegal for them to put their hands on you like that without your permission? I'd have gotten terribly POed about that and would have demanded her get his hands off me lest I break them. (I really do hate being touched when I ... more
I'm pretty sure it is, since it could be considered assault. If that happened to me I would probably end up hurting someone (this is coming from someone who is very nonviolent, by the way).

At one of the kiosks in the mall nearby, they sell some sort of Dead Sea stuff or something for manicures and all and they're really pushy trying to sell it. I swear, It gets annoying.

@ ToriRebel: I'm with you! I can't stand those hair-spider-things! I've never had the kiosk people practically attack my head with it, but it's freaky looking (also the thought that it's been used on other people's heads and all *shiver*)

I remember when I was younger, I lived near a different mall and I was walking with my family and the Hair-Spider kiosk people would literally chase after people to sneak up on them and use it on them. One time they picked the wrong guy to try it on and the guy they sneaked up on almost got 'physical' with the kiosk guy (and I don't mean 'physical' as in, "ooo, come here baby"; I mean, "Come here so I can punch your face in" type physical). It was hilarious, lol.
09/21/2010
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
We only have cell phone people at mine (retirement area of FL) - I think all the old people getting heart attacks from the 'aggressive selling' approach scared all the sample-pushers out.

Although the cell phone sellers are just as annoying: "Ma'am? Ma'am? Ma'am! MA'AM!!"
09/21/2010
Contributor: Avant-garde Avant-garde
Sometimes they try to get my attention I just ignore them.
09/21/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
I've only seen on kiosk person who actually almost had me with a product, some nail file/buff thing. It was pretty nice, just expensive.

AND

The stuff you buy NEVER seems to work as well as the demo!
09/21/2010
Contributor: Gary Gary
I don't really go to malls, but when I do I think my appearance helps to shield me from a lot of this stuff.
09/22/2010
Contributor: Hannah Savage Hannah Savage
I *really* dislike the kiosk people, and most pushy sales people in general. For instance, I was at Target the other day to get some electronics, and I happened to walk by the (apparently new) cell phone display. I glanced over, and next thing I knew I was accosted by 4 cellular sales people. First of all, I'm not getting a cell phone from Target. Second of all, my contract isn't even up for another 18 months. Third, they're creeping me out! Can't I just look at something by myself?!

Oh, and those nail-buffy-dead-sea things? Yeah, that's just crap. This one girl did it to my hand, and although I really liked it, I wasn't about to spend money on something like that. A few days later I was walking through some drugstore and found products that were almost exactly what she was using, that produced the same results, for less than 1/4 of the cost. Do not be fooled!
09/22/2010
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
I don't really go to malls, but when I do I think my appearance helps to shield me from a lot of this stuff.
That's why I prefer to go with my boyfriend. He definitely has that big mean biker look to him (although he's quite the mush) so people stay away. It's nice.
09/22/2010
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
...isn't it illegal for them to put their hands on you like that without your permission? I'd have gotten terribly POed about that and would have demanded her get his hands off me lest I break them. (I really do hate being touched when I ... more
I get a bit rude when people grab me as well. Course then again I'm usually accompanied by a much taller guy...so it's just not safe for sales people to try. I have seen women at perfume counters grabing testers as I walk by and loudly announced to Arch "If they spray me feel free to break them..." His wicked grin stopped them in their tracks. I am allergic to strong perfumes and I MEAN business...if I want to smell like the shit you're hawking I will ASK you.
09/22/2010
Contributor: Envy Envy
Quote:
Originally posted by Airen Wolf
I get a bit rude when people grab me as well. Course then again I'm usually accompanied by a much taller guy...so it's just not safe for sales people to try. I have seen women at perfume counters grabing testers as I walk by and loudly ... more
Haha that's awesome. It's funny though, they all stay away when I'm dressed full gothic attire, so I guess dressing like that does has it's perks.
09/22/2010
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
I can't stand those kiosk things. I often would like to look at the stuff they have, but I won't go near them if there's people at the kiosk. I try to avert my eyes and just ignore them, so I don't have to be rude verbally.

One time I wasn't even near this guy's station, and he came into the walking aisle and said to me, "Miss, can I ask you a question?" just as I was walking by him. I turned to him and said, "Yep, you just did!" and kept walking. He seemed put off by my response (awwwww! so saaaad!) and sounded annoyed as he replied, "Ha. Clever." Whatever, I am not about to stop and let you ask your question just so I don't seem rude.
09/22/2010
Contributor: Andromeda Andromeda
Quote:
Originally posted by Airen Wolf
I get a bit rude when people grab me as well. Course then again I'm usually accompanied by a much taller guy...so it's just not safe for sales people to try. I have seen women at perfume counters grabing testers as I walk by and loudly ... more
Oh, me too (to the allergic thing). I've generally found that, even though I'm small, if I glare enough, no one voluntarily approaches me in the perfume department. Then when I go to like shoes, purses, etc, especially in stores like Nordstrom, I get IGNORED. I look younger than I am, so people tend to assume that unless I'm with Daddy (because Mommy looks like she's about 23 so she gets ignored too), I CLEARLY cannot afford anything. Although, I've gotten that in places like Charlotte Russe too... Um, hello! I do work! I'm old enough to have my own cards that *I* pay, tyvm.

It's a wonder that kiosk people don't ignore me too. But oh, they don't >.<
09/22/2010
Contributor: kck kck
Quote:
Originally posted by Persephone Nightmare
I'm pretty sure it is, since it could be considered assault. If that happened to me I would probably end up hurting someone (this is coming from someone who is very nonviolent, by the way).

At one of the kiosks in the mall nearby, they ... more
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I WAS GOING TO COMMENT ABOUT THE DEAD SEA PEOPLE.
Sorry for the caps, but it is tooootally warranted. They do NOT let you go. The only way to skip the harassment is to **not make eye contact** and walk very quickly.
Sigh.
09/22/2010
Contributor: Envy Envy
Quote:
Originally posted by kck
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I WAS GOING TO COMMENT ABOUT THE DEAD SEA PEOPLE.
Sorry for the caps, but it is tooootally warranted. They do NOT let you go. The only way to skip the harassment is to **not make eye contact** and walk very quickly.
Sigh.
Oh yeah, i was roped into that one once. Boy was I naive.
09/22/2010
Contributor: Andromeda Andromeda
The Dead Sea people are the ones who do the cup thing, too.
09/22/2010
Contributor: kck kck
Quote:
Originally posted by Andromeda
The Dead Sea people are the ones who do the cup thing, too.
-_____-

I think they should be expelled from the mall, lol. I once had a Dead Sea guy talk to me for a LONG while, trying to make me buy stuff and then HIT ON ME in the process. It was so bad that I called my boyfriend over so he'd leave me alone. I know I could have walked away (I tried to), but this guy was really making a scene, shouting after me and following me. Gross.
09/22/2010
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
Quote:
Originally posted by kck
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I WAS GOING TO COMMENT ABOUT THE DEAD SEA PEOPLE.
Sorry for the caps, but it is tooootally warranted. They do NOT let you go. The only way to skip the harassment is to **not make eye contact** and walk very quickly.
Sigh.
Oh, I read that wrong

All of them are so annoying! I usually give them a blank stare and babble at them and they back off.
09/22/2010
Contributor: Blinker Blinker
Never ever make eye contact with these people! That's how they try to "get you".
09/22/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Avoiding eye contact is sadly often not enough to escape these people. I actually turn my head away from them, but they often shout after me, "Ma'am? Ma'am? Ma'am! I just want to ask you a question. Ma'am!!!" And I actually had a guy CHASE after me once -- I practically started running to avoid him. WTH?

I hate going to the mall anymore because of this. It is like going to a carnival where the people manning the game booths heckle the passers-by. There is one upscale mall in the Metroplex where I live that does not allow these types of kiosks. When I want to go to a mall, that is the one I go to now.
09/22/2010
Contributor: Lavender*Moon Lavender*Moon
I've never had that much problems with the kiosks people. I guess since I walk around with my arms crossed and practically glaring at most people (I don't generally tend to be in a good mood at the mall).

My biggest problem is with those people trying to sell "discount designer" parfume or large boxes of meat. I used to work in a convenience store on the only Hwy between two larger towns and these guys used to stop in all the time. Several times we had to call the police because they wouldn't leave us or the customers alone. What about "No soliciting on the property" do those people not understand?!
09/22/2010
Contributor: NightNight NightNight
I watched my mom get sold a $99 hair straightener she didn't need (she already had one just as good) at a mall kiosk

While that was happening I sat on a bench and watched them try to get other people's attention. My favorite tactic was this guy calling out to all the pretty ladies "MEEEES AMEEERICAAA!!!"
09/22/2010
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
I have found that if these guys are following you, if you nip into the nearest store and walk straight to the counter the sales people will stop the kiosk idiot cold. You can also walk straight up to the sales clerk of a store and ask them to call mall security...if you talk loudly and say something like "This guy is stalking me" it stops. Word gets around fast as well, I get left completely alone now a days
09/23/2010
Contributor: Persephone Nightmare Persephone Nightmare
Quote:
Originally posted by Lavender*Moon
I've never had that much problems with the kiosks people. I guess since I walk around with my arms crossed and practically glaring at most people (I don't generally tend to be in a good mood at the mall).

My biggest problem is with ... more
Oh!!! Are you talking about those people who will have the huge coolers in the backs of their pickup trucks and will try and convince people to buy their meat?

I remember one time a couple years ago, the weird meat peddlers came by my house and after five minutes of trying to convince the redneck guys that "I don't want any of your dodgy meat, please go away", I finally closed the door on them. I peeked out the window to see when they'd leave and the guys were just sitting there and one was standing in what I thought at the time was an odd posture with his back towards my house.

They left behind an empty whiskey bottle in a brown bag and took a piss in my yard too.

*Sarcastic sigh* Gotta love living in the south....

P.s: ^ that's not meant to offend anyone, by any means. But come on, you all would be irritated too if some weird boozed up guy peed in your yard just because you didn't buy his sketchy meat, lol.
09/23/2010
Contributor: Hannah Savage Hannah Savage
Quote:
Originally posted by Persephone Nightmare
Oh!!! Are you talking about those people who will have the huge coolers in the backs of their pickup trucks and will try and convince people to buy their meat?

I remember one time a couple years ago, the weird meat peddlers came by my house ... more
I would be totally creeped out. Ack!
09/23/2010
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
I like this post. Kiosk people are like the people that hand out fliers in Times Square, I think. When they take a chance on singling you out, they are letting another potential buyer walk by. So they learn to select the most likely targets a.k.a. to pick people that look "open." It's how all scammers and con artists look. Tourists looking up at the pretty tall buildings get accosted by Dude With "Free" Tickets to Some Comedy Club. Business man weaving through bodies with the "I'm looking past you" face on? Not so much. One is a likely buyer and the other isn't. One is a risk, the other isn't.

If all else fails and you can't master the "I'm looking past you" face then I would recommend consulting the quintessential show about Manhattan that speaks to the quintessential "I'm busy" face.
09/23/2010