Currently wondering

What is the obsession with islands in kitchens?

I have a friend who is mildly mentally disabled and is a bit of a talk of the town. He is lonely and too social, he goes to talk to all people he sees and people are often too reserved for such talking with a stranger. The cachiers at the food stores he especially targets with his approaches and outpourings. So the cachiers talk bad about him among each other and I've heard some of that talk. I've tried to talk to the friend to try to restrain himself a bit but it hasn't helped. Some people see through him, that he is kind inside, and understand, but others - especially the customer servants, mostly the young women, don't, and are offended and frustrated by his socializing. So I'm currently wondering what to do about it since things have gotten very uneasy when he goes to a store.

This is spot on.

I wonder if your friend could benefit from some simple explanations of how to read other people’s body language/ manner to give him cues re: when someone is not interested in engaging with him, in addition? There are social workers who are trained to work with people like your friend on those types of scenarios.

bluewater, you’re a kind friend.

Well in that case they’d certainly have my business over the other store. I’d also make a point of reinforcing their kind behavior by giving the store manager / staff specific praise about it.

That you have an option is a good thing.
But a couple of things present themselves.
Firstly, the "problem" stores will never know & never change, potentially doing the exact same thing to another vulnerable customer.
Secondly, you're being practically forced to go elsewhere thus limiting your ability to choose. The store has, in effect, made it your problem.
That's just plain wrong.

Oh, I used the word "grab" instead of pick or choose, didn't mean to steal anything, lol. Pardon my english sometimes.
More about my friend, today or tomorrow I'll go to talk to a duty/staff manager or similar at the store(s). He has to be able to go shopping normally, things are not right now.
About him.
He falls inbetween in so many things. He's not well enough to function in society on his own but also not disabled enough for the safety nets to close comfortably around him. He got fired from his normal job at a food store due to "inappropriate behaviour" and now has a dull job in a working centre for the disabled, having as workmates people who are not on his intellectual level. He'd like to have more control on his financial things but has to be in guardianship. He has serious trouble finding romantic relationships that match his level. This all results sometimes in alcohol consumption. He divides people into two categories. The neighbours and people he sees everyday know him as kind, always happy and frindly and talkative. Others consider him as intruding and tiresome. Only criticism I give him right now is that he's asking me too many questions.

Any update on your friend?