A quick question/ looking for peoples opinions.
I am a professional that offers a service to people. Now, I go to the shops and run into some of my clients. I say hi just to be polite and they start to ask me questions relating to my profession. Do you think it is correct for people to be asking these questions outside of the office?
Some examples:
1 Doctor - patient asks for some advice for a hurt back
2 Teacher - parents ask how the child is doing in class
3 Real estate agent - client asks for a hot tip
4 Builder - client asks for a quote
5 Gardener - client asks to book an appointment
6 Guy at bunnings - gets asked how much a tap costs and where what aisle to find it in
I think if you have to ask this question it means you're not comfortable being asked this kind of questions outside your office/working hours.
Everyone will have different opinion and it's not going to change yours.
There are situations where it's appropriate/inappropriate depending on your profession and how close you are to each client.
Example if I am very close and enjoy talking to a client then I will talk. If I think a client is trying to take advantage of me outside consultation hours so they do not have to pay then I will ignore and tell them to make an appointment.
You should change your question to: How to ignore/send away clients who approach me when I want to be alone in public after working hours.
Putting your actual profession would help.