*Racial profiling
I, a black woman, was the only one followed in a store full of people. This place has a bad vibe. Won't be shopping here any more. Others have expressed similar concerns. I've been told that several of the store's reps have been targeting visible minorities by selectively checking bags and following them excessively.
While I was browsing through some of the books at the front of the store, rep came up to me. She didn't ask if I needed help, didn't welcome me to the store but coldly told me that 'hand bags are not allowed in the store' and asked that I leave my bag at the front. I smiled and happily gave her my bag.
Shortly after placing my bag at the counter, I noticed the rep had made it a point to stand right behind me and stare as I browsed through the books on the shelf!
Even though there were several other people at the store, others with handbags no less, she was incredibly focused on me! I am a petite African woman 5'5'', in a knee length pencil skirt, fitted sweater with no pockets, no purse. I am not sure why I would need to be guarded by her so closely while looking at books? I had no feasible way to make off with a book if that was her concern!
Perhaps I was looking at the books for too long? Is there a time limit on how long someone can look at books at The Rock Store? If so, I'd like to know!
Rep whose name I was told is Neelam literally stood behind and beside me for over 15 minutes - I moved left, she moved left - I moved right, she moved right, not once turning away from me or breaking gaze. I felt so uncomfortable at her tailgating me that I took one of the books to the opposite end of the store to read (far, far away from her).
As I sat in one of the chairs to read, I noticed Neelam had walked up to me and stand literally 3- 4 feet away! Only now, she was towering over me while I sat in the reading chair.
I find it ridiculous that after a full 15 - 20 minutes of my being in the store, only then does she ask me 'Can I help you with anything?'. I knew exactly what she was doing, she was trying to get me to leave the store. I said 'No, thank you' and continued to read my book. She then proceeded to ask the question again, 'Can I help you with anything?', to which I respond 'No, thank you. If I need help, I'll let you know'. She briefly stopped talking to me then but continued to stand just a few feet away, monitoring me as I read in that chair.
After a couple of minutes of continued silence and staring, she started talking to me again! Unsure of what else to say to me she managed to ask 'Have you read THAT book before?'... I proceeded to tell her that I hadn't read the book before, which is why I am currently looking through it at the store. She continued to talk to me and ask me questions, irrespective of the fact that I had given many signals that I did not need help, nor wish to communicate or be followed.
Neelam's energy felt so hostile and uncomfortable that I got up from the chair and moved back to the other side of the room! At this point, I noticed a young man walk up to Neelam to ask her questions about some of the products ... She curtly gave him one/ two word answers and continued to watch me, arms crossed from the other side of the room, as I tried to browse through books on the book shelf. I couldn't focus much on what I was reading as I was shaking and incredibly upset. ...
Neelam was so unprofessional that other customers started noticing her behaviour towards me!! One of the customers actually turned to me and said 'It's so damn awkward in here'!!
I could not stomach being in the store after that that I decided to leave but not before voicing my frustration about this disgusting experience to a nice blonde girl at the counter who profusely apologized.
When I stepped outside of the store, I noticed some customers waiting for me. They said they had noticed Neelam's behaviour toward me and apologized that I had endured such a negative experience. 'She really lowers the energy of the store. Believe me,!'. The customers outside said that they would write a review on yelp to document what they had witnessed. I certainly hope they do!
Neelam, you have a way of sucking. the energy out of the room, which is an incredible feat given all the healing crystals and sage in the store. Your behaviour was incredibly negative, hostile, and disingenuous. It does not belong in a healing, spiritual environment. The way you acted is the very reason that people need healing. After my encounter with you, I felt so incredibly humiliated, angry and belittled. I have honestly never had an experience like this in a store. read more