I shopped a particular person at a venue and it was an elderly female woman, perhaps in her mid to late seventies (Grandma type). I asked her the required question and she responded. She then went on to chat with me.

She was talking about her dogs - and I, too, was engaging in the discussion. She then started to talk about how she had very little money and that she had gotten a flat tire this day and it would cost $80 to fix the flat. She then went on to talk about how she also needed some other items for her car, and how expensive things are these days. I just nodded in sympathy.

She then started talking about how her dog ran away, and gave me the whole sad story about how it was injured upon return. I could not disengage from her because the stories were so melodramatic. I wasn't too uncomfortable, and again I too partook in parts of the conversation.

Looking back on it and relaying the story to a family member, he said that she was trying to appeal to my emotions to give her money. I didn't think that at the time, but looking back on it maybe she was. She was def playing to my heartstrings, but I never bit - I mostly just nodded my head in sympathy whenever appropriate.

Now I didn't have to shop her in particular - I had already shopped someone else in the same capacity. I just did it to ensure that I had enough information in my report, or in case I lost information from the other person. My report would be full and complete if I do not report the interaction with her. It was just backup (for me).

A) Do I report this or just drop it?
B ) Do I include the stories she shared with me?
C) Do I mention how I could not get away?

I would feel so bad if she was just really a sad person sharing stories with a stranger and then get in trouble for it. She mentioned how she only had $63 to her name. I would feel pretty guilty about this....

WWYD?

Edited to say: The more she talked the more dramatic and sad her stories became. Why didn't I see that at the time?

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/2014 04:32PM by Chix.

In my opinion, your shop was complete/ended when you finished shopping the required (first) associate. I see no reason to include your interaction with the second associate, thus eliminating your angst over the ramifications of doing so. And you can only guess what her motivations were....

(heart)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/2014 04:31PM by stilllearning.

Despite coming down on the same side as your family member, I would not include it in the report since you had technically completed the shop prior to the conversation. And just like the thread where a shopper thought they smelled alcohol, you cannot be sure of her motivation and assumptions do not belong in a mystery shopping report.

I would not make the assumption she wanted money from me - unless she asked for money. It sounds to me like she was so excited to have a sympathetic ear since you engaged in the conversation, and she warmed to the subject, telling you more and more. If she actually asked me for money, I would report it. If she merely bent my ear, especially if I "encouraged" her by participating in the conversation, I would not report it. I really don't think her age makes a difference - young, old, male, female - there are some people who love to tell their troubles and when they find someone who listens, they go wild with the disclosure.

I wouldn't report it.

cease

No I would not report it. I have old ladies talking to me all the time and because I have a very empathetic face (or so I am told) I hear things no one else does. Maybe she was just looking for empathy, a friendly ear and a way to unburden herself.
If it did not affect her job performance I would leave it out.

I would not report it but for a slightly different reason.

When you encouraged her to continue talking, by being sympathetic, she could claim entrapment if you reported it. And situations like this are why you always look at your watch and make the excuse that you have to leave for a dental appointment

Wow - thank you to each of you.....! And James, I hadn't even thought of that....I'll remember for next time!!

Unfortunately there are many elderly people who are craving someone to speak to. The lifestyle of the elderly often leads to loneliness and isolation as they cannot get out easily and even if they drive they only do so in daylight and away from the major traffic areas. Friends keep leaving their lives one way or another. They do not engage in the every day life that other people have through their work, their many appointments with friends or family or their children's lives so they do not have a whole lot of gossip to contribute to conversations about the new rules at the school or the newest and greatest tech gadget to come on the market, etc.. I can picture this lady you ran into just happy to find someone willing to listen for a while. She may not have anyone she can talk to or if she does it might only be one person with their own problems of growing older who has heard her story multiple times. If she was looking for a handout I think she would have asked directly...and risked getting fired too. I doubt she was doing that. Elderly people still know the rules and if she wanted a handout she would be outside the store with her hand out, not inside the store working. We all risk being in this situation someday. If her talking was not interfering with doing her job then I would not report it. You might have made her day by listening to her.
I did a shop once with a similar situation but she was my only contact so I had to report honestly about her lack of knowledge. It was an upscale "lotions and potions" store. Unfortunately the elderly person knew nothing about the products. She was very sweet and I just hope it was her first few days and she was still in training so they gave her a break. I never went back as the location was not in my town.

Was there a question asking if the associate was "too chatty"? I have never seen that question - so no it is not reportable, she was probably starved for some attentive, caring person to talk to.

It's not just elderly people who want to talk about personal things. I get young women telling me about their love life. I would never add this into any report unless they did not do their job. I just might say, "We had a brief conversation."
I just did a job recently. The female associate was wonderful, friendly, knowledgeable and knew all about the company products. As I was leaving we spoke for about 10 minutes about how her and her boyfriend just broke up. I find no need to put this in a report. I don't believe that any of the information is pertinent to the shop.

Just the facts.

I say don't report it, but invite her along on your next dining shop. She clearly needs a friend.

Nope, I wouldn't report it.