I HATE with a passion anything like that.
You have asked when they 'Target' people...sure do.
Different if they are 'sale assistants''.
I don't have a great deal of money, so I like to just be in there to get what I need or want for that day.
It all depends on which shop.
Mostly nowadays it is so difficult to find a salesperson and I find there are very few who are actually interested enough to come up to you.
So for me, this is rarely a problem -if I say I am just looking, they leave you alone -not like in the past when they used to follow you around -THAT used to drive me crazy and I would often walk out.
When I shop I do not want to be pestered.
I can never find one to avoid. I realise in places like Target, K Mart etc. that they are not MEANT to be required because everything has it's price etc. on it, but that isn't always the case when I am shopping. But in other stores, when sales people approach, I always try to explain that I am just looking and have no intention of buying. I also realise that they don't approach me out of choice, that they are usually instructed to do so and there is probably a manager sitting out the back watching them. My sympathy always lies with the worker, never the boss.
Yes, I don't like sales assistants that HIDE but I certainly don't want assistance until I ask for it. However, there are many shop owners/managers that cannot bear to have the sales assistant being visible and available. They have to have them bothering customers (which puts most customers off making a purchase) Owners/managers seem to feel that if the sales assistant isn't moving all the time that they aren't getting enough bang for their buck. It is a lot of fun if the manager is on site, to approach them and ask them to "call off" the sales assistant. It is not like the sales assistant want to be bothered asking you if you need assistance. People should think things through before canning sales assistants and checkout chicks (well any person that has had a job in the life anyway).