We’ve all done it – told a store attendant “I’ll come back” with no real intention of doing so.

But have you ever stopped to think about why we do this?

Turns out, those of us who are guilty of this little white lie may share some common traits.

In my exploration of this curious behavior, I’ve identified 7 traits typical to the “I’ll come back” crew. So, if you’ve ever told a store attendant you’ll return, but never did, keep reading. You might just recognize yourself in the lines that follow.

1) Indecisiveness

If you’ve ever told a store attendant, “I’ll come back,” only to never return, you may be part of the indecisive crowd.

Indecisiveness is a trait that reflects difficulty in making decisions. And it’s not just about picking between a red or blue shirt. It extends to all areas of life, including shopping.

Think about it – you’re confronted with numerous options, each one seeming as good as the other. It can be overwhelming to make a decision on the spot. So, you opt for the easy way out – telling the attendant you’ll come back, giving your mind some more time to mull over the options.

But here’s the catch – indecisive people often struggle with follow-through. While you had every intention of coming back at the moment, once out of sight, the store or the item is also out of mind.

Indecisiveness isn’t necessarily a bad trait. It just means you like to weigh your options carefully. But in the context of shopping, it might lead to a trail of store attendants waiting for your return.

2) Procrastination

I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely been guilty of this one.

Procrastination – the act of delaying or postponing tasks. It’s a trait many of us share, and it can certainly come into play in a shopping environment.

I remember one time when I was shopping for a new pair of sneakers. I found a pair I loved but decided to tell the store attendant, “I’ll come back,” intending to pick them up at the end of my shopping trip.

But guess what? I got caught up in other stores, browsing and shopping, and before I knew it, the mall was closing, and I never made it back to grab those sneakers. Classic case of procrastination.

Procrastinators tend to delay decisions or actions until the last minute – or in this case, until they’ve completely forgotten about it. It’s not that they don’t want to make a purchase; it’s just that they keep putting it off until it’s too late.

3) Politeness

Politeness is deeply ingrained in many cultures around the world. It dictates our interactions and behaviours, often leading us to make certain statements just to avoid offending others.

Saying “I’ll come back” to a store attendant is sometimes less about the intention of returning and more about not wanting to seem rude. It’s a softer rejection than outright saying “No, I’m not interested.”

Interestingly, a study from the Journal of Consumer Research found that customers often feel a sense of obligation to clerks who assist them, making it harder for them to decline a purchase outright.

So, they resort to the “I’ll come back” line as a polite way of ending the interaction.

4) Impulsiveness

Contrary to what you might think, impulsiveness can also lead to the “I’ll come back” phenomenon.

Impulsive individuals often act on a whim without much thought.

They may momentarily get excited about an item, only to lose interest just as quickly. In the spur of the moment, they might tell the store attendant they will return, driven by an immediate emotional response.

However, as they step out of the store and the impulse fades away, so does their intention to return. This quick shift in interest is a common trait among people who often use the “I’ll come back” line but don’t follow through.

5) Avoidance

Sometimes, the “I’ll come back” phrase is more about avoiding a situation or feeling than it is about the actual intention to return.

I recall a time when I was out shopping and came across a gadget I wanted but couldn’t justify the cost. Instead of dealing with the internal conflict of want vs need, I told the salesperson “I’ll come back,” fully knowing I probably wouldn’t.

Avoidance is a defense mechanism many of us use when we’re confronted with situations that stir up discomfort. Rather than dealing with it head-on, we choose to sidestep it, hence the “I’ll come back” line.

6) Budget-consciousness

Being budget-conscious can also lead to the “I’ll come back” scenario.

People who are mindful of their spending habits often take time to consider their purchases carefully.

They may see something they like, but instead of buying it on the spot, they choose to think it over. They might tell the store attendant they’ll return, giving themselves time to evaluate if the item is worth the investment.

However, in many cases, after some thought, they decide against the purchase to stay within their budget. So while they had genuine intentions of returning at first, their financial prudence ultimately wins out.

7) Non-confrontational nature

The most important trait to consider when it comes to people who say they’ll come back but never do is their non-confrontational nature.

A non-confrontational person tends to avoid conflict or direct disagreement. They prefer peace and harmony and will often go out of their way to maintain it.

In a shopping context, this means they might find it hard to say ‘no’ directly to a store attendant.

So instead, they opt for the less conflicting “I’ll come back” line, even if they know they probably won’t. This allows them to avoid any potential discomfort or disagreement, keeping the interaction as smooth as possible.

Final thoughts: It’s all about understanding

At the heart of these traits and behaviors lies one crucial element – understanding.

Understanding why we do what we do can be an enlightening journey, revealing aspects about ourselves that we might not have been aware of.

The phrase “I’ll come back” might seem insignificant, but it opens a window into our personalities, preferences, and behaviors.

Whether it’s politeness, indecisiveness, or being non-confrontational, each trait tells a story about who we are. And each story adds another piece to the puzzle that is human behavior.

The next time you find yourself telling a store attendant “I’ll come back,” take a moment to reflect. You might just discover something new about yourself.

And remember, it’s not about judging or labeling ourselves. It’s about growing in our understanding and acceptance of who we are.

So, here’s to understanding ourselves better, one shopping trip at a time.