I generally avoid eye contact, because I know they’ll want to reel me in. If they do try to reel me in, a simple “no thanks” while maintaining my stride is adequate.
I love me some free Teavanna samples. But I’m a shake head/pass by person. I can’t imagine why someone would bother with an excuse.
You need to interview these people!
Sometimes I give a reason because I don’t want any followup solicitation. Rarely is a simple “No” enough. The salesperson will often say something like “Are you sure?”, “It will only take a minute.”, “It’s free”, etc. By giving some stonewalling reason like “No. I don’t use cosmetics”, serves to shut down the sales pitch immediately.
This is one of my pet peeves about going to the malls. Rather than being able to stroll at my leisure, I’m accosted by sales pitches from all sides like walking down a carnival midway. I’m not surprised that mall utilization is down. Unless I have a pressing need to go there, it’s too much of a hassle.
I agree. That’s why I’ve evolved my “just walk on by” approach.
99% of the time, it’s a polite “No, thank you” with a pleasant tone of voice and facial expression. The 1% of salespeople who ignore that get The Look, with a cold “I Said. No. Thank. You.” I’m told that I have The Look perfected. I don’t make excuses, and I don’t take kindly to people who think that I didn’t mean what I said the first time.
I hate it when people give me bullshit excuses, so I’m loathe to do it to another human being. A simple “no, thank you” is what I give.
The secondary problem, of course, is that these hawkers are often surrounded by a crowd of freebie jeebies, slapping other people’s kids out of the way to get theirs. Nothing like a food cart at Sam’s or Costco, surrounded by an entire neighborhood tribe working on a complete free lunch by making the rounds… and blocking one aisle after another doing it.
You’re too nice. If someone doesn’t take my “no, thanks” and keeps trying, I scowl at them as I keep walking by.
Also, I really like the term “charity muggers”, thanks Mangetout. They really do seem to be organized almost like (overly cheerful) gangs. I hate the way they act like they’re my new best friend, and put out their hand as if I’m going to shake it.
If it’s food or drink samples I usually just give a “no thanks” since the people giving them out probably couldn’t care less if I try one or not.
The hard sales people with their skin care, time-shares, midway games, etc. I just never make eye contact with, pretend I don’t even hear them, and walk on by.
What about the helicopter guys? I always get distracted by them.
No thanks and walking away should be sufficient. If not, they’re going to make me angry, and they wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.
Same here, but calling my pursed-lipped grimace a smile is probably too charitable.
I say “no thank you” to the free sample givers, whom I hold in slightly higher regard than the kiosk hucksters. They get the smirk-and-shake as I sail past. If they’re lucky.
When in Brazil I just use their gesture, a combination tongue-cluck and wag of the index finger.
To the young ladies trying to sell me skin creams and ointments with “Sir, do you have a girlfriend?” as I walk by, I always want to inquire whether they’re asking me on a date. I don’t because (A) I’m sure they’ve heard it all before and (B) It’d just be an invitation into a conversation about skin creams. So I settle for the tried and true “No thanks” and keep moving.
I wonder how many dates I’ve missed out on that way…
The grocery store I used to shop at (Raley’s, big regional chain in Northern California) had a freebie adzine called “Something Extra.” The usual recipes, shopping tips, coupons etc. and it had been called something else before that, which is why when a very attractive bag girl with a mellifluous contralto asked me “Something extra in your bag?” I had trouble not making a huge fool of myself.
I alter my course by a few inches and give the ‘leave me the hell alone’ look. Usually these signals are picked up and I am not offered anything.
I am going to pretend that you’re just making a point because if this is what you think a logical response is than I feel sorry for you
Not as bad as above, but telling the person that the thing they’re selling is a scan (or making attention to it by saying it loudly in mall)…do you think you’re going to change anything? Why do you have to bring attention to it when it doesn’t help?
For those wondering, this is the correct answer 
just a simple no thank you is all that’s needed
I hope it does help. Maybe it doesn’t, but if one potential buyer wonders, “Why did he say it was a scam?” my job is done.
And, by the way, I have said, “fuck off”, though more often when the food court people try to shove a toothpick in my mouth.
I say “no thank you” as graciously as I can. I have to believe most of the people giving out samples would rather be somewhere else and there’s no reason to make things worse for them.
I say “No, thank you.” If the person persists, I either ignore, or if it’s something I’m declining because it’s a problem, I might add, “I have diabetes,” for example. However, if the person’s second approach is cajoling or wheedling or guilt-tripping (“Oh, come ON, you really want a cookie!” “Oh, it’s just a little cookie! You know you want it!”), I’ve sometimes gone into the store and spoken with a manager about the need for additional training.
I also have never said anything but “no, thanks.” Adding more to it would feel oddly rude, like I was implying they were being pushy. It’s not like I’m doing you a favor. I’d just be wasting your time, as I have never once bought something from a sample. Not because I make any effort not to do so, but it’s just never happened.