Fiancee visa - what is work?

I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this but I wanted to double check. 

I'm here on a visa, getting married and applying for FLR in February.

About half an hour ago someone knocked on my door.  It was a local AVON manager looking for someone to handle our block of flats and the next street over.  I explained to her as we chatted that I was American and over on a finacee visa and couldn't work.

She claimed that it wasn't really work, wasn't reported.  That her job as a FT AVON employee with a salary was, but the representatives are just comission and "earning a little money for themselves".

Now it's a moot point, because I wouldn't have done it anyway - but could I have legally?  Or was she talking nonsense to try to get me to sign up?

She was talking nonsense.  You can't work at all until you have your FLR.

It is my understanding that work is anything you do and receive money for. Legal or illegal. Technically, babysitting for the next door neighbor's child and getting paid for it is work and therefore, not allowed.

Even volunteering is out of bounds on a tourist visa -- would imagine it's the same for anyone without FLR, but don't quote me on that.   

I agree with Lola.  The stipulation is no work, paid or unpaid.   It can get their backs up over something as silly as winning a cash prize in a Karaoke contest.

Some advisors, including me, have it in mind that there are actually 4 categories:  paid, unpaid, emergency, and charity volunteer, and that some types of the last two are allowable under the rules.  But if you were going to try it, you would absolutely get professional advice first. 

And what the Avon lady told you was total kak.

It is also probably total Kak that it "isn't reported."  If you were eligible to work, you would be required to report your earnings for taxes.

And what the Avon lady told you was total kak.

Yeah, that was what I figured