Thank you for your question. Interactions between men and women in Islam are generally conservative, however, there is no prohibition on a “strange” man talking to a Muslim woman. By “strange”, I mean that this person is not a direct relative such as her father, brother, paternal/maternal uncle, husband, son, etc. There is no harm in a Muslim woman talking to people in an open environment such as a market, or shopping center. I’m not sure why this lady did not answer your question. If she was employed at the place where you were asking about the price of an item, it might have been a good idea after verifying that she is an employee or shop owner, not just another customer, to make eye contact first. If she still did not answer, you might have spoken to the owner. I don’t think this is very good business practice.

It is part of Islamic conduct between men and women who are “strange” to each other that they not put themselves in a situation where they are in a room alone together. Part of this is based on a hadith, or saying, of Prophet Muhammad:

“No man is alone with a non-mahram (strange) woman but Satan is the third one present with them.” (Hadith Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2165; classed as saheeh (authentic) by al-Albaani, 1758)

For this reason, most devout Muslim men and women will try their best to avoid being left alone in a room. Even if nothing inappropriate happens between them, people like to talk. It is not worth spoiling one’s reputation over nothing, so devout Muslims attempt to close the doors that lead to evil, harm, shame, etc. rather than try to rectify mistakes or dispel rumors of those who like to engage in gossip.

I hope this has been helpful to you. Please keep in touch.

Salam (Peace).