The Thin Line Between Flirting and Selling

Most jewelry stores require their employees to smile and make eye contact with customers whom enter the store. Other jewelry stores require their employees to speak to a customer within the first 30-seconds of their entrance. The reason for this? Studies show that people who are given a friendly greeting respond better and tend to purchase more.

Of course, the effect is increased if the person giving the greeting is generally young and attractive. Haven’t you noticed that there are some damn good-looking people in the jewelry industry! In other words, customers shop better when employees flirt with them and tell them how good looking they are in your store’s jewelry. In essence, is it good business for your employees to flirt with customers?

I’ve seen these kinds of facial gestures being viewed by most customers as a friendly way of doing business, but some customers might misunderstand them as “flirting.” What about the touching of a man’s arm? You’re involved in the sale, laughing and talking, creating a comfortable situation and you come from behind the counter and touch the customer’s upper-arm while passing them on the way to the jeweler. Where do you draw the line between flirtation and selling?