I passed this laundromat on my way to the Habitat for Humanity hardware thrift store called ReStore. I doubled back to do my laundry there after shopping, rather than going to the laundromat that I had planned to go to by the pharmacy I regularly visit.
This is a weird review and it feels weirder to have to write it, but one that stems from confusion and frustration. I pulled my vehicle in to back up and unload a giant laundry bag from my cargo gate. As I was retrieving it I thought maybe I should go in first and check it out before I drag that big bag and my detergent out. Will I need quarters? Is this a digital-only laundromat? Can I afford the machines? Is WiFi available here?
I went in and saw only two customers so right away I thought, okay Covid/Social distancing safe. I looked at a machine to get an idea of cost and then I looked around for any coin dispensers, signs of rules/regulations, etc. All of a sudden a tall man with glasses on walks by and glances at me. We greeted one another and he just starts into me! My intention was to let the management know I'm new in town and this was my first time at their business doing laundry and I wanted to know how it works.
He was very rude, and made it painfully obvious that I wasn't welcome at his laundromat. In fact, he came out and said, "you should go handle your business elsewhere." He accused me of coming in just to take all his quarters from his machine. I tried diligently to explain my truck is right out there with a big laundry bag in it that I didn't want to drag out until I was certain that I'd be washing my clothes there. The more I tried to convince him that I had no clue what he was talking about, the more rude he became. He started bragging about how long the business had been open and how well it was doing. Huh?
Just me looking at the coin dispenser seemed to incite anger in him. I even went out to my truck to open my cargo door and show him the laundry bag and detergent. While I was outside I looked into the window and I could see him trying to engage a young man that was staying out of it. He was instigating to a customer that had no interest in this confusion at all.
I brought my items on in to start the process, just figuring everything out on my own until I realized I was really not welcome there at all. I picked up the bag and just said to myself, "I guess I'll take my business somewhere else." I felt degraded and dehumanized.
Being mixed race and the type of person that can blend in and be friendly with anyone, I try not to jump to conclusions without substantial evidence.
I'm not confrontational nor am I hostile. I do like to communicate clearly and be understood though. But was I discrimnated against? Was he in a bad mood, perhaps from an encounter prior to my arrival? Or is he just an asshole who is rude to everyone who is new to his establishment? read more