Would you stop and talk to a Market Research Person at the Shopping Mall?

I was sitting at a bench at a local Indoor Regional Shopping Center watching a young man trying to get people to stop and answer a few questions about a market research study he was working on. I could not believe how rude the average person was to this poor man.





Eventually he came over to me and we struck up a conversation. He was just trying to make a few extra dollars to pay for college but he was also shocked how rude people were to him. Most would not even reply if he stopped and asked them if they had a few minutes. Many would swear at him and many would call him names.





Is this necessary? If they are not interested couldn't they just say I am sorry but I do not have the time or interest. Their argument would be that they did not ask to be bothered.





What would you do?

Would you stop and talk to a Market Research Person at the Shopping Mall?
When I walk by people like that, I glance to see if they are talking directly to me. Then I quickly say, "No thank you." I can understand why people would ignore for fear of being caught up in someone trying to convince them to stay for a survey or sales pitch. Swearing at someone is completely uncalled for.





Perhaps if he had offered something like free candy bars (courtesy of his company, not him), more people would take the survey.
Reply:Well, I was actually paid for my time once. Easiest five bucks I ever made, so no, I don't mind talking to these people.





What I DONT like is those people who run the carts in the mall - one lady was so insistent that I try out her swedish hand lotion after I politely said no that she actually grabbed my hand and started applying it. Now THAT was rude.
Reply:Oh I agree with you. People do not have to be rude in these situations. A simple "no thank you" is all that is needed. This person is just trying to get by.





It reflects on how horrible people are these days. No morals, no civility and no manners.
Reply:I personally will say "no thanks". The translation in my mind is, "don't bother me unless you intend to pay me for my precious time, after all you will be making money from my input". But I agree with you. No need to be rude.
Reply:i would stop and answer them but not always. i think i was just help with their job and living. because i will feel bad if i got turn down by everyone when i just doing my job. please dont be personal, they just doing their job.
Reply:wow
Reply:Depends on my day/what I'm doing. I have done the surveys before, but I have also had days where I'm quickly stopping by to pick something up, and have to get going. Those days, I just say "I'm so sorry, I can't help today, I'm in a rush, but I'll be sure to do one the next time I see the group here." No need to be rude. I think most people are too rude these days.





*Edit* As another poster has, I've actually gotten paid the few times I've done the surveys. Normally $2-4 per time, but still a few bucks for just a few minutes of my time.