Whisky Tango Foxtrot, X-mas Edition

So, I'm out today at the mall with about a million of my bestest friends in the world finishing my Christmas shopping. While walking down the aisle, a sales clerk for one of those block-the-middle-of-the-aisle kiosks waved and said:

"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure," I reply.
"What's your name," she asks, moving to shake my hand.
I reflexively let her, and she says "come here, I need to show you something."
I follow (she's got my hand) and in a flash she's trying to buff my fingernails with something.
I got a little pissed, jerked my hand free and walked away, with her saying to my back "I just wanted to show you something for your wife!"

Now, in what universe is shanghai-ing a customer a successful sales tactic?

Fortunately, the Christmas shopping is done, and the Christmas cards go in the mail tomorrow.