Thanks to Julien Smith’s post about social engineering today, I’m giving you an assignment. No need to participate unless you’ve never had this happen to you.

Instructions:

1) Put on your most formal dark-coloured shirt (bonus points for black button-down with a collar). Wear light coloured pants if you have them, bonus points for kakhis.

2) Go shopping. Preferrably at a mall, rather than just any old store.

3) Walk with purpose. No matter what you’re doing, whether you’re meandering from item to item, or searching for something you actually need, maintain the expression you’d have if you were measuring a piece of wood about to be cut.

4) Count the number of times you get asked for something; advice, item locations, staff questions, “Do you work here?”

Total your points and report back, in comments or tweet the hashtag “#walkingwithpurpose” – I’ll be watching.

We’ll see who wins in a week.

BONUS ROUND! – Double your points by actually responding with appropriate answers when you’re asked questions. Triple them if you can be right AND tell the enquirer that you don’t work there in the same statement.