Retail: Why Do They Ask?

Questions I hear at least once a week:

• "Do you work here?" Asked of someone wearing an apron and a name tag.
  
• "Do you know what I'm looking for?" Not yet...
  
• "Can I ask you a question?" Obviously you can, since you just did.
• "Can you help me?" Depends - I can't if you need someone to wipe for you.
• "I'm looking for something..." We have it! Or did you want something specific?