Dachsund, the salesperson was trying to find out if you already had bike shoes and therefore a preference for a specific pedal which you would want on the bike you're test riding. Since you do not, just take the shoes you bike in now. They'll put some cheap plastic platform pedals on for now. You can choose shoes and pedals later.

Go read our endless discussions on pedals and talk to your LBS guy. First place to start is 1) is this a road bike and 2) do you want to use road shoes? Nothing says you can't use mtbike shoes which will have lugs on the bottom and be easier to walk in, but such shoes are not compatible with pedals like Looks that have large cleats and platforms.