Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pangaea]

Why is there so much shouting at the supermarket? Is this actually an effective sales technique here? I find it extremely irritating. The shouting combined with people hitting me with their carts, completely blocking the aisles, and stopping in groups in random, inconvenient locations is nearly more than I can handle. I was shopping last weekend and 3 men working in the meat department suddenly started shouting all at the same time, apparently trying to entice people to come get their spectacular meat. They were all literally standing next to each other and shouting as loud as they could. It was so loud and chaotic I wanted to come out of my skin. I started fantasizing about what would happen if the lone foreigner in the store stood out in the aisle and screamed, "SHUT UP!!!!" at the top of her lungs. I was tempted to do it just for the few seconds of stunned silence it might buy me. Sometimes trying to shop here makes me nostalgic for Wal-Mart on a holiday weekend.

[coralreefer_1]

I agree it can get loud in the meat section..especially on weekends..but honestly I enjoy it. Ironic the meat vendors are the loudest ones when it seems the meat section seem to get the most traffic save the checkout lane. Logic would suggest that if shouting leads to increased sales for a certain product..other areas of the store such as wash clothes or soap would have the loud voices while the meat section which will likely get customers anyway, would be more quiet...

I would guess it is more cultural than actual sales technique. Perhaps years ago meat vendors on some dusty street used this to attract customers, so in modern day the same technique feels a bit "down home" to customers.

That being said..I am FAR more annoyed by the insect noises coming from the watermelon section than I am with meat vendors yelling. That is just insane to hear the same constant noise on replay..I feel sorry for the folks who have to work in earshot of that section.

[djsmnc]

[sheriffadam]

[Yaya]

I talked to this Indian guy who sold trinkets in Sinchon. He said he could've made MUCH more money had he shouted but chose not to.

It's simple: if you earn more dough by shouting, you'll keep doing it especially in an area where dozens of other sellers are also selling the same product.

[hsaeoa]

[Steelrails]

[sojusucks]

Look, there are smart shoppers who: eat before they shop, make a list of what they need, check for sales, shop around for items they frequently buy, and stick to a budget. They may buy some impulse items here and there, but, most of the time, they know how to handle the tricks stores throw at customers to get them to buy on impulse.
Then there are other shoppers who start shopping when they are hungry, so they just walk into large grocery stores totally unprepared for the experience. It's like leading lambs to the slaughter. They fill their cart with whatever catches their eye with no plan whatsoever. Stores make a fortune off shoppers like these. The people who yell in the meat sections of the large grocery stores bring in big money because of shoppers like these. Also, the women giving out free samples love seeing shoppers like these. For one swallow of juice or one taste of a small sausage on a stick, impulse shoppers load up their carts with overpriced things they probably don't even need.
Like I said, it's okay to buy impulse items every once in a while. Sometimes there are unannounced sales or new items that are being promoted through free samples. It can happen to any shopper. But as long as tricks like: free samples, yelling, placement on shelves, and the smell of food, especially fried chicken, continue to bring in big money, stores will continue to use them to make that big money.

[southernman]

[pangaea]

southernman wrote:

[brier]

[Old fat expat]

Southernman:

Ah yes, but being a romantic there are times I just want to cook something for my wife on the spur of the moment. could be a lamb shack if that's the mood. It's called spontaneity, and apparently the chicks dig it. What do I know? Give it a go!

I agree with the OP though. Man what are the decibelts around my ears? Those guys have voices, and they rattle me up close. STFU? Hell, I'm thinking of a mad dash for the exit. Bowlarama!

!FEAR!FLIGHT!RUN!

i miss rugby

[chrisassd]

What about the greeters who stand there greeting people with a microphone strapped to their head. Why do they need to amplify their greeting to that extent? Surely the microphone negates the otherwise polite greeting/bow?

I can kind of understand using the microphone to sell things but for greeting people? If I walked around in everyday life talking to people with a microphone strapped on my face it wouldn't be deemed acceptable, it would be disingenuous.

[Globutron]

[Ginormousaurus]