I turned around once and when being followed by security and said “Really??? I’m a secret shopper and clearly I’m not very good at my job. Since obviously I’m not going to be able to do this discretely, how about you just walk next to me instead of lurking behind me. If you want we can even hold hands like 2nd graders on a field trip” It was obvious he felt foolish but walked silently next to me the rest of my trip. It was better than having him behind me and calling attention to me.

I turned around once and when being followed by security and said “Really??? I’m a secret shopper and clearly I’m not very good at my job. Since obviously I’m not going to be able to do this discretely, how about you just walk next to me instead of lurking behind me. If you want we can even hold hands like 2nd graders on a field trip” It was obvious he felt foolish but walked silently next to me the rest of my trip. It was better than having him behind me and calling attention to me.