Forum Topic

Unable to walk through Westfield without being pestered!

What is going on in here?  Today I went to Westfield with a colleague and we could not take more than a few steps without being pestered by people asking us to sample food, have a makeover, have a massage, try out hairstraightners, look at sunglasses etc.  And they don't care if you are having a conversation, they just walk straight up to you and interrupt....how rude is that?  They seem to be turning the walkways into some sort of indoor market, but at least walking down a market you don't get things shoved into your face. 

Carol Burge ● 5408d13 Comments

Why no free champagne is the thought that springs to my mind when I am sprayed with something that will make me sneeze and made to feel generally inferior

Sara Nathan ● 5304d

Its that look that hides behind the glint in their beaming smily faces that says 'bitch' when you try and politely explain that you just don't want false nails/curls/eye lashes etc. . . although I have to admit I have never turned down the free pretzel samples! Does that make me a hypocrite ?

lucy knight ● 5305d

My previous reply sounded a little uncaring.I do agree, it's not particularly fun to have things thrust at you and be heckled whilst walking around. It's probably that I'm jealous, as a chap I tend to get fewer people trying to sell me things as I walk down the atrium.(Or perhaps it's because I adopt a particularly grouchy demeanour and refuse to make eye contact with ANYONE, ha!)

Matthew Hall ● 5334d

Mat - it is not the fact they are trying to sell me something, as you rightly say I am not going for a walk in the park, I am walking round a shopping centre!  My point was that as I am walking round I do not want to be constantly stopped by people thrusting things at me.

Carol Burge ● 5334d

Charity collectors?The irony gets lost in translation... "chuggers" is actually a concatenation of Charity Muggers.And yes, who cares if people are trying to sell you things when you walk into a mall. It's not like you were going for a walk in a park.

● 5335d

I think I must have a scary face! Or just look too poor to bother with! Or maybe I have just timed it right and missed the critters. Either way, It irks me that I have been pounced on by their security men and told NOT to hand out leaflets, when I wasn't - just had a map in my hand of the trees on the Green that were earmarked for felling in the last proposal for "regeneration" - all of which has gone quiet, rather.

Vivienne James ● 5363d

Don't you get bounced up to by cheery young people (on commission) who try and get you to take out a monthly direct debit in favour of St Mungo's or Save the Children or whatever?Happens to me all the time and makes me VERY cross.

Sara Nathan ● 5364d

Thanks, Hugh. I must have led a sheltered life!

Vivienne James ● 5366d

Chuggers?                        ..chartiy collecters.                                  

Hugh Telford ● 5367d

Chuggers?Excuse my ignorance!

Vivienne James ● 5367d

Better than chuggers though!

Sara Nathan ● 5367d

I totally agree. It is impossible to walk through Westfield at a reasonable pace as all the walkways are so cluttered with stalls flogging all sorts of stuff from tooth whitening and eyelash extensions to broadband deals and holidays. As you say, it does nothing to enhance the experience when accosted by pushy, albeit pleasant, salespeople. It's is all down to the bottom line. I know a few friends who have said that they found it so unpleasant in there that they left! Admittedly it was pre Christmas and the crowds then were dire.

Vivienne James ● 5400d

It's happened to me too. I walk through there and someone pesters me to check out their stall or a woman asks me to show her my hands before offering me a manicure..."err..nope. Sorry luv!"

David Wright ● 5407d