I either say “no thanks” or I walk past without saying anything if I’m moving fast and it would slow me down, or if I’m just not in the mood to have to say “no thanks”.
I had a funny encounter with a kiosk lady that I just walked past and she got mad yelling after me “you could at least just say no!”. I laughed to myself.
A firm “no thanks”, and a smile from me.
If I already know I’m not going to ultimately buy your product, I’d rather not waste your time on me if someone else might buy and make you a commission.
I am hardly ever in a mall, but I think “No thank you” is the best response. I dislike being rude to people unless they really deserve it, and someone working in a kiosk is just trying to make ends meet. The food samples in a grocery store, though, I will try unless I’m certain it’s something I won’t like. I’ll even stop and talk to them a bit, because it doesn’t hurt to be sociable to someone whose job involves approaching strangers, and they probably get their share of rudeness over the course of the day.
Also, sometimes I try samples, and sometimes I buy the product. This is how I have learned about some interesting cheeses.
Stop. Look very shocked.
Say, “You can see me!?”
I don’t give an excuse because some hucksters then deem it necessary to counter that excuse. I don’t want a conversation. I just want to go about my business while avoiding being rude, if possible.
Eyes ahead, no response. But then, I come from the big-city school of thought and treat all unwanted solicitations like I treat carnies and homeless people. If I had to go to a mall that was lined with kiosk jockeys (kioskeys?), I’d put on my sunglasses and pop in my earbuds.
I am so going to use this. Fits right in with my list of elevator shens.
Thinking back, I do recall exactly one time of being intentionally rude to a free sample drone, but I think the circumstances (a) no longer exist in most places, and (b) actually gave me license to be rude. Are we all old enough to remember when department stores (or maybe cosmetic companies) routinely employed young, thin people to spray perfume samples on unwary passers-by? I haven’t seen those in a coon’s age, so maybe retailers got the message. At any rate, I was walking through a department store one evening, and some clueless, pretty girl said “Free sample?” while aiming a perfume bottle at me. Before I responded, she started to hit the sprayer, and I ducked. “Oh, but this smells amazing!”
Me: “Miss, if you spray me with that perfume, and it gives me a sick headache? I will come back and vomit on you personally. And I’m sure that will also smell amazing.”
Me, to nearest management-type drone I could find: “Please explain to Little Miss that some folks are sensitive to perfume ingredients, and that she’s going to open herself, your store, and/or the perfume manufacturer up to liability if she sprays someone without permission.”
I think I was reasonable. But rude, nonetheless.
If the pusher isn’t too pushy, they get a “Nope.”
If they are pushy, they get a “Fuck off.”
If they open with, “Can I ask you a question?” they get a, “You already did” as I walk by.
I hate these skin care people. They’re the worst. I usually try to be polite and say “No thank you” when I’m offered something I don’t want, but they just WILL NOT QUIT. So usually I either ignore them or just say “No” and keep walking. I don’t understand why the mall management allows them to be so obnoxious. Next time I might have to try AncientHumanoid’s approach.
Back to the OP–I usually don’t give an excuse when I don’t want something. I say “No thanks” and move along.
Lacunae Matata, I would be livid if someone tried to spray me with perfume. I’m sensitive to a lot of perfumes and I’d be pretty miserable if I had to be all perfumey for the rest of the day. I thought that was done in department stores in the 50s, but I didn’t know anyone still did that.
I like this one actually. I say be as rude as you need to to the people who are pushy. If they follow up your “no” with some kind of goading, then that’s bad and on them.
And I hate “conversational” beginnings. Eff you you’re just selling something…
“Hi! How are YOU today?”
“Homicidal.”
Sorry for what? Not getting sprayed in the face with a shot of Drakkar?
I’m in NYC, so I feel sorry for anyone who feels the need to make an excuse when saying “no” to an unwanted solicitor - mall samplers, flyer hander-outers, panhandlers, buskers, comedy club barkers, petitioners, whoever. Mostly we just treat this human spam as if they didn’t exist.
Right – I just go with the vague bemused stare into the middle distance upwards. I guess maybe I look like the crazy person, but that’s OK.
I often give to buskers. I feel a good street performance makes Philly a better place.
“Hi! How are YOU today?”
“You so do not wanna fucking start this conversation.”
“Thank you, but no.” Or a don’t bug me face. If you approach a second time I’ll flip you off and keep marching. And whatever you do, don’t touch me to wipe on any lotion. Even if you are really really pretty, all I will do if fake being sexually satisfied. You should see the looks on their faces.
It makes almost anywhere a better place.
Yeah, but Philthy needs all the help it can get. 