# Be careful what you wear when Christmas shopping **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 23, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326 "2009-12-23T15:30:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/1 "2009-12-23T15:30:06Z")
Tip: If you decide to shop at Target, do NOT wear a red polo shirt and khakis. I was strolling (if you could call it that) through there yesterday after work to see if I could get inspiration for a last minute gift for my wife. Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway), it was packed. Each and every time I turned down an aisle, I would be approached by at least one person – sometimes two or three – for information about some product or its location. I felt like there was a beacon over my head or something. Apparently, I was wearing what was perceived to be the Official Target Employee Uniform. After a while I got tired of saying, “Sorry, I don’t work here”, and left. They need to hire more people. And I still haven’t got that present. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/2 "2009-12-23T16:03:05Z")
Try Walmart. Chances are, you don’t own an obnoxious blue apron. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/3 "2009-12-23T16:05:09Z")
That happens to me a lot at Lowe’s! I don’t know if I look like I know what I’m doing or if guys are being subtle and are hitting on me. No women ever ask me any questions there though so I’m going with option B. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/4 "2009-12-23T16:16:47Z")
I used to get that in any store I was in. This was in the days before uniforms, but people would always come up to me and ask for help. I guess I looked like a store clerk. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/5 "2009-12-23T16:21:25Z")
I worked at Target for a while. I think they chose that as their “uniform” because most people own it, or can easily get it. And they don’t have to buy uniforms, then. But it means I am conscious of what I am wearing whenever I go in there. I visited the Waterford plant in Ireland and waited for my wife to get out of the bathroom. Since I was wearing a suit, and not typical American Tourist garb, everyone came over and asked me where they could buy things. I looked too much like a company rep. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/6 "2009-12-23T16:22:49Z")
> [@PoorYorick](#): > > …I was wearing what was perceived to be the Official Target Employee Uniform. After a while I got tired of saying, “Sorry, I don’t work here”, and left… And I still haven’t got that present. Hey, you should go back and see if you can get the employee discount! ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/7 "2009-12-23T16:29:21Z")
[Reminds me of:](http://improveverywhere.com/2006/04/23/best-buy/) > [@](#): > > The idea for this mission was submitted by a stranger via email. Agent Slavinsky wrote in to suggest I get either a large group of people in blue polo shirts and khakis to enter a Best Buy or a group in red polo shirts and khakis to enter a Target. Wearing clothing almost identical to the store’s uniform, the agents would not claim to work at the store but would be friendly and helpful if anyone had a question. There aren’t any Targets in Manhattan, so I decided to go with the two-story Best Buy on 23rd Street… ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/8 "2009-12-23T16:29:25Z")
> [@](#): > > Hey, you should go back and see if you can get the employee discount! They have to scan your Employee Discount Card, so it won’t work. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/9 "2009-12-23T16:39:32Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I used to get that in any store I was in. This was in the days before uniforms, but people would always come up to me and ask for help. I guess I looked like a store clerk. I used to get this a lot, too. Even funnier, on my trips to Vegas I was always getting stopped by people in the casinos who were trying to find the nearest bathroom, or the buffet, or which entrance the shuttle bus was at. Of course, I usually knew the answer anyway; I used to go there often enough that I started muttering to myself about the damn tourists blocking traffic. ---
**Author:** ![UncaStuart](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncastuart/32/404_2.png) [@UncaStuart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncaStuart)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/10 "2009-12-23T16:51:19Z")
The last time I wore a green Hawaiian shirt into Trader Joe’s I received a sharp tug on my sleeve by a customer who asked me where the mustard was. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/11 "2009-12-23T17:00:05Z")
> [@Juliana](#): > > Try Walmart. Ever been at Wal-Mart in a suit and tie? I have. Trust me, it’s tricky. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/12 "2009-12-23T17:13:14Z")
I lived in Paris in the area of the Gare due Nord/Gare de l’Est railway stations. I seemed to get a lot questions in the stations about train routes and such, although I’m pretty sure I didn’t look anything like an SNCF employee. The funniest was the time I was asked where Gare du Nord was. We were standing in front of it. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/13 "2009-12-23T17:14:55Z")
When I used to work at Target, we’d have to occasionally go “undercover” during this time and wear anything _but_ the red shirt/khakis just so we could get work done without being interrupted every 5 minutes… ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/14 "2009-12-23T17:15:12Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Ever been at Wal-Mart in a suit and tie? I have. Trust me, it’s tricky. I guess it’s different if you’re a guy. All the women I’ve ever seen at our Walmart wear the stupid apron. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/15 "2009-12-23T17:31:17Z")
A couple weeks ago, an “angry looking” woman approached me in the grocery store. She asked me where the large cans of tomatoes were. I told her I didn’t work there. She scowled at me and said, “I never said you did, did I?”. I just walked away, dumbfounded. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/16 "2009-12-23T17:37:35Z")
It’s been nearly 8 years since I last worked a retail job, but I still get asked for help whenever I’m in a clothing store (well, the ones that don’t require name badges or uniforms, anyway). It probably doesn’t help that I can still fold a shirt perfectly in 10 seconds flat, and can’t help but re-fold things before putting them back where I found them. 🙂 ETA: **kayaker** , that’s priceless. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/17 "2009-12-23T18:19:41Z")
When I’m perceived as an employee and asked where something is, I like to direct them to the other end of the store. Americans don’t get enough exercise. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/18 "2009-12-23T18:22:05Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > A couple weeks ago, an “angry looking” woman approached me in the grocery store. She asked me where the large cans of tomatoes were. I told her I didn’t work there. She scowled at me and said, “I never said you did, did I?”. > > I just walked away, dumbfounded. I have received questions from people who weren’t assuming I was an employee. People who are new to a store tend to think other shoppers know where things are. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/19 "2009-12-23T18:25:16Z")
I’ve never worked retail, and I always get assumed to be an employee, too. The last time it happened, last week, I was wearing my outside jacket and iPod. That caused me a certain amount of 😕 - summer is worse for this, because I don’t usually have a jacket on. Those of us who have this happen regularly, we must have a certain demeanour while shopping - I enjoy shopping, so I don’t think I’m scowling like a retail drone, but maybe I am. Maybe I should get a t-shirt made up that has a big, white, block letter “NOT STAFF” on the back. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326/20 "2009-12-23T18:28:39Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I have received questions from people who weren’t assuming I was an employee. People who are new to a store tend to think other shoppers know where things are. When I was a teenager, I read an article on “How to Pick Up Women” (hey, I was desperate). One of the sure-fire suggestions it gave was to ask a woman at a supermarket where the aspirin was. The reasoning is that this would force the woman’s mothering instincts to kick in, and she would automatically want to take care of you. So, maybe you were just getting hit on a lot. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-what-you-wear-when-christmas-shopping/522326.md?page=2)