Usually, I love this store. My discounts are jaw dropping and the team members are sweet. I did however, encounter a team member today. I did not get her name but, she was working the self check out area. My sister and I had been checking out with a team member, next to the self check out lane closest to the door, where the mini, bottle shots are. I asked for 2 mini bottles of tanqueray. She unlocks the cabinet, asks for my ID which was expected and, proceeded to check me out.
I assured her I had been checking out in the next lane already. She takes the bottles of tanqueray, sticks Them in her register and tells me I have to come back to self check out, after checking out, (meaning I'd have to check out twice), to purchase my bottles. It didn't make sense to me. Why do I need to check out twice? I understand precaution from shoplifters, but follow me to the other lane why don't you so I can have 1 purchase on one card. Makes it easy on the shopper.
That wasn't her motive unfortunately. So I go back to the isle with my sister, and complete our purchase, she comes over to the isle, without the bottles, mind you; had a small conversation with the team member that had been checking me out and asked me if I still wanted my bottles. I looked up and realized, it was the same woman who just told me I had to check out twice.
I couldn't gather any other words except "no". I was frustrated and rather confused as to why she had not just followed me there in the first place, if she didn't really believe that I was checking out already. Even if it skipped her mind, why didn't she have the bottles in hand when she came over? I told her no because I don't really drink, had just wanted to try, and secondly, I mostly felt she was giving me a hard time and I didn't want to blame it on race at first.
Me being a black woman, (she was a white woman), it didn't take me long to think that maybe it was racially motivated. I've thought about anything else it could have been with her. Hours later, I'm watching tv, and I put 2+2+2 together. tanqueray Was made famous by black rappers. That's actually how I knew about the beverage. I am black.
I had nothing else in hand but my wallet because everything else was at the other register. She would have followed me to the isle if she didn't feel endangered by my presence, but I was told to come back to her isle to ensure her safety and to ensure that I wouldn't shoplift, which stealing, is a black stereotype. This woman stereotypes me and tries to cover it up and made herself look worse.
I want this problem resolved and it will be resolved. You cannot assume every black person will steal from you. You cannot assume every black person cannot afford something. Or is troubled, or is a criminal. Or whatever else you may think of us. This will stop. If I must die putting a stop to it. read more