Remember kids... always wear a helmet. (The almighty bikeradar helmet thread)

Ed, though I don't give a flying fuck whether you ride a helmet or not, Actively advising people, in a bike shop, to not buy a helmet is stupid, and actually quite irresponsible.
It is also irresponsible to sell someone a helmet by claiming that they offer anything more than low level protection against low speed falls. The seller should also explain that if wearing a helmet gives the cyclist confidence to ride a few mph faster, or to try tricks they wouldn't do without a helmet then the net benefit is zero.
I have also heard shop assistants in London lie about helmets being compulsory just to get a sale.
I am not sure which of the above is worse.