A while ago, there was a thread about shoppers who thought they encountered other shoppers while on assignment. I think that happened to me recently.
I was doing 3 wireless shops. The first shop was crowded. I needed a customer count and a sales associate count. As I scanned the room, I notice someone sitting alone along the "waiting wall." When she was assisted by the SA, I noticed she wasn't talkative, just nodding her head. She left and I left shortly after and completed my second shop. At the third shop, I noticed the same woman again. She was sitting waiting for assistance. All of sudden, like a bell went off, she stood up and left the store. That's when it hit me that she was a shopper. At least I think so. I think she was working for the MSC that requires you wait for 30 minutes to be assisted before leaving. I was working for the MSC that requires a 15 minute wait.
Here's the question: is there a gesture that MSers give each other as acknowledgement? Like putting your index finger to the side of your nose = Mafia, is there something similar for MSers? Or maybe saying to someone, "The chicken sleeps alone" is code for "Hi. I'm a shopper, too"
Also, have you encountered another shopper while shopping?