I went Christmas shopping at this mall today and Spencer's was my last stop. I had just purchased over a thousand dollars worth of goods at various stores and because of this I asked the prior business for a giant black bag to store all my gifts in because I was with my boyfriend and didn't want him to see the gifts on top of the recent muggings taking place in the area, I didn't want a bunch of transparent bags.
Approaching the store as a young looking black female I was immediately asked if I needed something when I didn't even have a chance to really even step foot in the store, but I chalked that up to the employee being friendly. I also mentioned to them I just went Christmas shopping and the giant bag I am carrying was full of gifts. Not once did she ask that I stow me behind the counter like a professional if she had concerns...but I digress.
I browsed various sections and made sure to keep my bag in sight, but I placed it away from myself while I was browsing so in case an employee was watching (LOL), they could visually see I wasn't there to steal.
I audibly heard mentions on their walkie talkies, and I even felt the store tense up as the manager told other employees to be on the lookout for me... employees were then always strategically placed in the aisle I was in.
The store is extremely busy mind you, I don't have a chance to browse without being in someone's way so I'm kinda flowing throughout the store. I even make small talk with who I later found out was the manager about which gift was popular.
I was just so uncomfortable... I didn't feel respected as the near 30 year old adult that I am. There was a hefty young man with kinda stringy and greasy hair that kept following me as an intimidation tactic! I was perturbed.
I make sure families fly safely for a living... I can afford items that are less than $14.99 each... I would have had zero problems if they asked me to store my bag behind the counter, but instead they followed me around the store, dehumanizing me. As I was leaving literally at least 4 employees were lined up kinda giggling at me... it was humiliating.
I did go back to file a complaint after meeting up with my boyfriend who happened to be shopping in the same store I was and he told me he noticed some stuff was going down with the employees when he was there, so I know I wasn't imagining things like the manager Silvia tried to gaslight me and make me believe I was.
I will be complaining to corporate after the holidays. I have connections that may cost Silvia her job, as she was the main perpetrator of the microaggressions I experienced today. Leave the younger jobs to the kids and maybe you won't be so miserable! read more