This morning, I went to Party City to purchase items for a birthday party. Unfortunately, I forgot something so I had to return to the store.
While in the store, an associate (Allison) approached us and asked if we needed assistance. I told her that we were just browsing and noticed that she was holding an electronic device upward so that the camera was facing us. I continued to watch her as she walked to the other side of me and put the device down and returned to the main screen showing the time. As much as it bothered me, I tried to let it go.
After leaving the store and thinking about the situation further, I decided to reach out to the manager. I called the store and was transferred to Scott who is the owner. I explained Scott what happened and told him that it made me feel uncomfortable. His response was that they were only there to sell product and that they would not "benefit" from doing anything of that nature. Then he added that the associate was his wife, so I guess that was supposed to make it okay. He continued to state that it was not a cell phone, but that it was an iPod which looks like an iPhone 13 that they use to scan items. However, I am certain that iPods, like iPhones, are capable of recording.
I told Scott that in the future, it would be a good practice to lower the camera when approaching customers because it feels uncomfortable. This is the moment that I felt as if he was attempting to gaslight me.... He stated, "If cameras make you feel uncomfortable, you'd be uncomfortable anywhere you go." No apology. No remorse.
I truly hope there is some type of sensitivity training provided. However, being that he is the owner, I doubt he would see the need. Maybe one day, he will go to a store and someone will approach him while seemingly recording him on some type of electronic device so he can understand how it feels. read more
