Although shopping for new clothes can be a fun activity, you need to be respectful. Being respectful will help you avoid confrontations and altercations with other shoppers.
Unless you have worked in a retail store in the past, you may not be aware of the etiquette that you need to follow when you go to a shopping centre or store.
Continue reading to learn more about the appropriate etiquette in shopping centres like the Upper Canada Mall.
1 – Be Conscientious in the Parking Lot
Many people overlook the importance of being respectful in shopping centre parking lots. While you are looking for a parking spot, avoid going fast and always signal when you are about to turn. Always be mindful of pedestrians leaving and going to their vehicles.
If you are waiting for someone to leave their space, be patient and let them exit the parking spot safely.
On your way into the shopping centre, try to not use any profanity or vulgar language, as mall parking lots are generally filled with children and teenagers.
2 – Be Considerate in the Shopping Centre
There are several things that you have to remember when you enter a shopping centre. Firstly, if there are greeters at the front door, be sure to acknowledge them when they greet you. This is a sign of common courtesy and respect.
Many malls feature a collection of small kiosks, all of which have salespeople that want to sell you their products. If you don’t plan on buying their products, don’t blow them off. Simply let them know that you aren’t interested and thank them for their time.
If you decide to go to the food court, make sure that you clean up after yourself. If you don’t, the custodial staff will have to take time out of their schedules to do it.
Finally, you need to be respectful of the shopping centre’s hours. Here’s an example – during the week (Monday through Friday), the Fairview mall hours are 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; this means that you can’t arrive at 8:55 p.m. and expect to shop for very long.
3 – Respect the Rules of Each Store
Although they are under the same roof, not all stores have the same sets of rules. You should familiarize yourself with these rules when you enter the store.
Be sure to keep an eye out for signs banning things like food or drinks. If you aren’t paying attention, you could easily damage one of the store’s products.
Additionally, if you are going into a clothing store, ask about their changeroom policies. Some stores will only allow you to take a certain number of garments into a changeroom (this is generally to prevent theft).
4 – Be Mindful of Employees
As a shopper, you need to be considerate when it comes to dealing with a store’s employees. If they are helping another customer, wait your turn or find another employee that’s free.
If you don’t want to have to ask employees about deals, you can use an online shopping directory to search for irresistible deals. This way, you’ll be prepared the next time to travel to a shopping centre.
There is no excuse for swearing, threatening or being rude to an employee. If you see a fellow shopper doing any of these things, we suggest that you inform the store manager immediately.
