Polite expressions, after which the interlocutor will be punchy, like a turkey, and irritable

Probably, each of us often had to flinch after hearing the unexpectedly annoying words of the seller: “Can I tell you something?” Why do neutral-polite speech clichés, licked sales gurus from English-language marketing textbooks, make us so resentful?



"Site" I collected a selection of familiar phrases that, judging by the forums, infuriate buyers the most. Let’s try to understand the reason for this psychological phenomenon.

Irritating words, can I help you? Sometimes it is only necessary to cross the threshold of the store, so that the bored salesman, like a shark that felt blood, already rushed to you with his template question.



Sellers say that the question “can I help you?” they ask not of their own volition, and following the duty of the consultant to offer customers help. That’s just such care, as a rule, does not contribute to sales growth.

I hate it when I calmly pick something up at the store, when the staff jumps up to me and asks me every 10 seconds, “Can I tell you something?”

- Lestrange left. (@mydyingpride) March 30, 2013



The phrase “Can I help you?” is an English translation of “Can I help you?”. In English, this is a non-binding form of politeness. But in our circumstances, it sounds unnatural. The buyer is put in a position of helpless, which causes intuitive rejection.



“I get mad when sellers come in asking questions,” the buyer complains, “I immediately want to turn around and leave.” The phrase “How can I help?” is rather frightening, so you want to answer it rudely.

Are you interested in something? Yeah, I'm interested in a lot. For example, where to get an interest-free loan for 50 years, how to get a job at Google and impress Scarlett Johansson! I'm afraid no sales consultant will help.



According to the plan of marketers, such a question as a buyer is caught on the hook. Say no, then what the hell did you bring to our store? You don't want to have to give the seller a report. And it can be difficult to do that. After all, we do not always know the specific answer.

Maybe I went into the store out of curiosity or looked around in the hope of an impulsive purchase. In such a situation, the seller’s question takes him by surprise and makes him feel guilty, causing retaliatory aggression. Do not go into long and confusing explanations, but answer something.

Please contact us if you are interested in something We are not against manifestations of attention. But that sounds a little too template. However, according to the sellers themselves, this phrase is often not pronounced for buyers.



By pronouncing it, the consultant gives colleagues to understand that he staked this buyer and all his possible purchases with him.

Will you be alone? It sounds like an invasion of privacy. After all, the answer “yes” focuses on our loneliness. For some people, such a question can be a painful reminder of failures in their personal lives.



How can I address you? Another tracing with English, which is often used in telephone marketing. The English translation “How should I address you?” is quite different. This is not a name, but a form of treatment. For example, mister, doctor and so on.



Sometimes I say, “Call me my lord.” This saves a lot of time, forcing the hapless seller to withdraw. It’s not just that your time is wasted. Subconsciously, manipulation is felt: if they want you to feel like an exclusive customer, then they will definitely sell something.

If you can not cope with irritation and it flares up in you more often, try to understand yourself. Psychologists say that the real reason can be obstacles on the way to the desired. Without being able to directly influence their cause, we show aggression towards others. The victims are often completely random people.



Now that we’ve figured out why the annoying words of the salespeople drive us mad, try not to react so harshly. Remember that the buyer is always right and does not have to report to anyone. Good shopping and good mood for you!