Colab

In my sporadic search for cool t-​shirt fashion, I stumbled across this place in Flatirons Crossing, while picking up a watch battery and a gift card for an office gift exchange. I was enchanted with some of the urban, in-​your-​face, daring designs, captions and other things that were on the shirts that I hadn’t seen anywhere else — even though they were ridiculously priced (most that I saw were in the high 20s-​mid 30s range, hoodies and sweatshirts even higher.) But was definitely considering making a purchase… until a sales drone approached me and I had the following exchange…
sd: (very wordy version of «may I help you?» …coming from almost directly behind me).
me: (pause for a second or 2, turn around and see him, give a half-​smile) No, I’m doing fine, thanks, just looking.
That should have been the end of it… but…
sd: What, you don’t like it when people greet you and ask if they can help? I mean, I’m not trying to be confrontational or anything…
*blink, frown, escalate to defcon 4, slowly turn around*
me: ok, *but*, by the mere fact of dragging this on? you *are* making it confrontational.
sd: What? Well, ok then… but I’m not trying to be confrontational, just wondered why you were giving me attitude…
*blink, scowl, escalate to defcon 3… and wisely break off the reply leaping in my throat to be heard* …I continue shopping, checking out the brands and shirt models, and writing down possible things to either ask for gifts, or better yet, find on ebay for half the price… and 3 minutes later, a new sales drone approaches, red-​haired with an Aussie accent…
sd #2: Hey, I noticed you writing some things down, did you need any help or something?
me: No, just checking out some possible things I might want.
sd #2: Ok, well, it’s kind of unusual to be writing things in a store, and I wasn’t expecting any attitude…
*…at this point, I feel threatened. Guy’s somewhat muscular and slightly belligerent. Defcon 2. Shields go up, weapons are on standby, and I adjust my hat, pivot, and start departing the store, my departing comment being a «…*Wow*.”*
sd#2: Yeah…*wow* is right…(something unintelligible)
(at store entry, not turning head) me: You just lost a sale.
sd#2: (something sounding like either a threat or profanity or both, from the tone of voice)
I have no doubt if I’d stayed, things may have gotten… ugly. And possibly involved mall security. Maybe they had a long, salesless day. (i wonder why…) Maybe they’re tired of the Xmas shoppers. Or maybe they’re just born aggressive a-​holes. Salespeople should be there to assist *if asked* (although many don’t learn this), and certainly if the reply is «just looking», perhaps a polite «if you need anything, just find me.» Not getting back up in my grill about attitude.
And certainly not dispatching a 2^nd salesperson that’s got an even more aggressive stance and poorer customer-​centric attitude.
Summary: come for the cool t-​shirt fashion, stay for the verbal abuse and menacing postures!!! Or even better, come for the cool t-​shirt fashion, write down shirt variants that you like (since this seems to rile them =D), then announce in a loud voice, «I’ve read on a website that your salespeople are abusive. I’m taking my shirt info to another retail outlet to purchase things there. *Thanks*!»