[KarenFerguson]

This happens to me a lot - especially if I'm in an antique store or a consignment store (you know looking for good deals on ... stuff).

Anyway, I'll be minding my own business happily shopping, when a sales clerk (or whatever they are called) comes up to me abruptly and asks if I'm doing "okay" and if everything is laid out nicely. Then they usually go on about how they try to make the store accessible ... blah blah blah ... I always say 'that it is and I'm doing fine' and if aisles are too narrow I'll usually say something - but I'm not a fool, I know some things are going to be too high for me to reach, and when they are I will ask a nice sales clerk to help me obtain the high object. I think that's the bit sales clerks don't understand - we will ask for help if we need it and if not please leave us alone to go about our shopping in peace! Maybe I'm just being a bitter disabled person, but frankly I'm tired having my shopping experiences ruined by annoying sales clerks coming up to me.

Oh, and here's another little vent that happened to me a few days ago. I was going into a store (the same consignment store that sparked the above sales clerk vent), with my mom and aunt behind me as I pushed in the front door. The guy behind the counter said: "Hi there! Out today with your two personal shoppers!!" I was like what? huh? I didn't know what to say, so I kind of laughed ... but really wanted to go turn right around and leave the store. I mean If I wasn't in a wheelchair and just walked in with my mom and aunt I bet he wouldn't have added that bit about the personal shoppers. UG!!

Anyone else get the annoying sales clerk phenomenon?

[edlee]

Sorry K,, but what I hear is two people trying to show their desire to interact with someone who is outside their experience.

When I hear similar greetings I am happy there are those who choose to interact.

Lighten up,,,,,
ed

[longhaul]

Karen I have an acquaintance who makes a living going around to stores and restaurants finding places that are not fully ADA accessible then he sues them. I'm in their store so it's kinda nice to be greeted when they ask I just say thanks I'm ok but I will call if I need help. Sometimes people are just board.

[E-DOG]

Karen,
Don't get me wrong babe, I know where you're coming from. After a while it gets to be a bit much, people asking if you need help with this or that.
But they aren't being annoying, they're trying to be helpful and you're allowing it to annoy you. Being a walker, they have no real idea of what it's like not having the use of your legs and their imaginations run wild with horrific scenarios of total helplesness in the face of insurmountable odds.
If they knew how ruggedly independent, stoically resilient, and full of vim and vigor you really are they'd leave you alone. But they don't, so, like it or not they're convinced it's their new found duty to take you under their wing and help you like the wounded little bird they think you are.
You on the other hand are allowing these nice folks to rent way too much space in yer head. Could it be that they are a reminder of your disability and therefore a cause for resentment?
Trying to control all the big hearted do-gooders out there's gonna be a tough job BooBoo. Might be easier for you to control how you think and feel about the situation.
Or give this a try. When some overjacked , bright eyed sales clerk sporting the grin of a happy idiot shambles up to you wanting to be of service, simply
get him in a headlock, throw him over yer shoulder, look him straight in the eye and say "Do I look like I need any help you pimply face little shitter?"
Don't ferget m'dear, jesus loves yew lol
E-dog

[Kwag_Myers]

While I have had a couple people treat me like I'm a little lost boy, for the most part people have gone out of their way for me and I always try to express my appreciation. Like the others, I see this as two people being nice. Also, it's a basic rule in retail to greet customers as they enter. It's good PR and it deters shoplifting.

My recommendation is to ask the sale clerk for their business card and assure them that you will ask if you need anything. If they work on commission, they're like vultures and it's the only way to get rid of them.

[pikey]

A very loud, unattractive, mean-acting woman walked into ASDA with her two kids, yelling obscenities at them all the way through the entrance.

The ASDA greater said pleasantly, 'good morning' and welcome to ASDA. Nice children you have there. Are they twins?'

The woman stoppd yelling long enought to say, 'no they *&*(ing ain't!'

The oldest one's 9 and the other one's 7. Why the hell would you think they're twins? Are you blind, or just stupid?

I am neither blind nor stupid, Ma'am, replied the greeter. I just couldn't believe someone would sleep with you twice!

Have a good day and thank you for shopping at ASDA.

[KarenFerguson]

E-DOG, on Sep 4 2008, 11:47 PM, said:

Could it be that they are a reminder of your disability and therefore a cause for resentment?

You hit the nail on the head with that sentence E-Dog. I think it's the whole thing where I totally forget that I'm in a chair (I know that sounds weird but I frankly "forget" I'm disabled considering I've been in a wheelchair my whole life). So, when a sales clerk comes up to me it really makes me feel very very disabled - like an alien from a distant planet. I know they are trying to be helpful and I'm glad that they ask if the store is accessible - believe me I've pointed out many ADA violations out to managers over the years.

I think it's the fact that they just assume I need assistance because of the chair & that just irks me. Ah well.

[qbounce]

Only three years ago I was walking around in a mall, maybe in a store similar to one you were in, when a sales clerk aproached me asking if I needed any help . . . was I finding everything ok?? It happened all the time, still does.

Maybe it's difficult to dissect those who see a disability from others who are just doing their job when you've only lived on the receiving end of a disability your whole life. Simply put, I can see the difference as I've lived in both worlds, so can't assimilate what you percieve to be a problem.

[Emily C]

HI, Karen

I SOOO understand ur frusturation!!

A few years ago I was in a chiar (b4 dx) but I could only 'shuffle' across a small space. Anyway, the sales clerk came over to me and started talking. "You're so pretty, it's such a shame. Do u think you'll ever walk again?" That was my intro into the disabled situation. I haven't forgton it.
I was out with my aid the other day and we passed a lady who said "Well..that's one way of getting around, huh?" I couldn't speak, I was angrey. Like my scooter is just for 'funises'. My social worker has told me that I should talk to these people. That by my wheeling away, they will never learn that this is rude, or hurts people.
Tomorrow (weather permiting) is a HUGE crafts fair. The last time I was there, I had a man come up to me and say the same thing as the other lady. I said "You wouldn't want the conditions that go along with it". and I took off in my scooter. I think THIS year, I will heed my counsleor's advise. Nervous, but I KNOW someone will say something "stupid" and I will think of all of u and try to come up with something witty, & informative. GOOD luck to me on that!! It's hard to do that "off the cuff"!!
I guess, Karen, we all have to "hang in there" and brave the assine sometimes mean comments.