Thrift store manager Robyn Elliman tidies up the storefront mannequin which was the subject of a verbal and physical assault yesterday morning. Photo by Craig Baxter.

An early morning encounter between a "grossly intoxicated" man and an armless thrift store mannequin ended badly for the budding couple yesterday.

Her $10 brown coat, cream hat and glazed expression attracted the interest of a Hanover St pedestrian, who began a heated argument with the size 10 mannequin shortly before 8am.

"He fancied her but she didn't fancy him," Butterflies - The Hospice Shop store manager Robyn Elliman said.

After hearing noises coming from the front of the store, she was amazed to find a drunken Polynesian man arguing with the unnamed mannequin.

"He was slapping the window and I thought he was going to be sick."

Mrs Elliman checked to see if the man was all right. Then, before leaving the scene, he kicked and smashed a shopfront window.

Acting Senior Sergeant Dave Scott said witnesses contacted police following the "heated argument" with the mannequin, who kept her cool throughout.

He said the "heavily intoxicated" man was picked up a short time later, and taken to Dunedin Central Police Station to detox.

The 20-year-old man was charged with wilful damage, and will appear in Dunedin District Court next week.