Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Kiosk sales people are a part of any mall experience and a group that I usually avoid altogether. Yes-they have a job to do and are very nice people, I'm sure. But the very phrase, "M'am, can I show you something?" sets my eyes into an automatic roll. The kiosks I most avoid are the ones that sell the products from the Dead Sea. You know-the salt scrubs, mineral nail buffers, etc. Mostly because years ago, I made the mistake of making eye contact and was sucked into a lengthy sales fest, of which, practically required a lifeguard and safety ring to pull me out. I admit I did enjoy the beautiful Israeli accent of the sales person. Anyway, flash forward a few years and here I am walking the mall taking care of some little errands when suddenly, I find myself approaching the Dead Sea kiosk. I immediately avert my eyes, and consider talking to myself just to deter them. I hear the sales lady calling after me and in my stone cold walk, refuse to turn around. Finally she says, "Miss-you dropped something!" Are you kidding me? Right here? In front of this kiosk? Mayday! Mayday! (I did like the fact that I was actually called miss instead of m'am.) Moving on. Eye contact was made. Soon I found myself in the middle of many familiar sales lines. "Personal space" did not exist. I was lectured about the importance of self-pampering and asked how I could possibly be a good mother if my cuticles were neglected?! I think I was called "honey" (which with the accent came out as hoe-knee) no less than 4,136 times.I spent 10 minutes feeling insulted while I was being educated on my "hippo-dermis" until it dawned on me that there was a bit more of a language barrier than I had originally discerned. In any case, after several attempts to get away and one desperate use of the, "Hey look! What's that over there?" trick(ok not really but it almost got to that point), I made it out unscathed. I am not saying the products don't work. It's just the pushy way in which they are sold. In any case, the promise of a scrub taking away stretch marks means little to someone who has had them since the age of 14.

8 comments:

Diane said...

Ahhhhhhhh, the eye rolling you would experience in Shenzhen, China, Jill. Just taking a stroll through all their shops, (that are like little kiosks) you are called,cajoled and practically manhandled to stop, look and buy! However, I have become very good at the brushing off technique and saying a firm NO! Way to go on your firm stance! I hope you are continuing to feel wonderful and are getting enough rest with your busy family. When does Shawn come home? Love you!

Laurel said...

okay, a.) you make me laugh and b.) TOTALLY get suckered in EVERY TIME by the dead sea...I cannot lie. not a better nail buffer will you EVER find. Will you pick me up one next time you get accousted (sp?) I totally need a new one (no, really, I do...not even trying to be funny hear. This is serious stuff.)

JM said...

Reminds me of the good old days in the Arles marché. Hey remember the crazy lady with the motorcycle helmet talking to her radio? It seems to me you've been sucked in more that once....

jaclyn weist said...

Hey! I just love the kiosks...I try to avoid them at all costs. Which is maybe one reason I don't go very often to the mall anymore. That and they're a little further away than they used to be. I'm glad you made it out of there! Ours is the animated scripture videos that get us!

JujuBean said...

I find this is when kids come in handy. Just act really involved in them, talking, wiping unknown bodily fluids from their faces, etc., and you can pretend to ignore them. Also, have you noticed that Costco's doing this with authors lately? BJ and I got suckered into a "chat" with an author the other day. Just say no!

Juli said...

I'm totally with Julianne on this. If you've got kids and a stroller--use it! I also recommend installing spikes and an air horn to the stroller because, after all, "the best defense is a good offense"!

Tony and Whitney said...

I am right with you! The cell phone people are the ones I always dash away from.

Mary Irons said...

So yeah I got sucked into the dead sea thing while I was on the Big Island when Eric was gone. Haven't used the stuff more than 3 times!!!! Other than the lotion, but I'm still on the same bottle! So I spent like $40 on lotion! NEVER AGAIN!!!!!
Hope you're doing ok, let me know if I can't do anything, seriously!