Was it discrimination?
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
May 10, 2007 2:07pm CST
I am still a little upset about something that happened to me earlier today. I went into a service station/convenience store to make some purchases. When the clerk (white) rang up my purchases, I took out my gas card to pay with it. She gave me this "look" that I have witnessed before, and proceeded to swipe my card. Then she picked up the phone and started to dial. By this time I know what is going on and I don't like being made to feel uncomfortable. After she goes thru this long process, she tells me my card was declined. I know this is untrue but I leave anyway. When I get back to the car my daughter asked me what happened and I ran it down to her. She then takes my card and goes back inside. Two minutes later she comes out with my purchases. She said she just went to the black clerk and made her purchase. What should I have done? Asked to speak to the manager or called to make a complaint once I got home? I did nothing however. I thought she might have really needed her job and I didn't want to cause her to be fired.
19 people like this
45 responses
@whywiki (6066)
• Canada
10 May 07
Wow, it sure is sad that in this day and age this kind of thing still goes on. I think I may have acted as you did, but after I got home I would start to steam and mumble until I did something about it. It is great that you care about this woman and her job and it shows you as the better person. Maybe you can fire off an e-mail to the head office of the company she works for and explain what she did and how it made you feel. It may not do any good but at least it would make you feel better. Besides that maybe she works at a union job and they want to get rid of her for her attitude but they have no hard evidence and your letter would help the company to rid themselves of a bad employee. Either way I hope this kind of thing becomes a thing of the past in my lifetime and all people treated equally and with respect.
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
10 May 07
I wouldn't have cared if she got fired or not. I do understand that she may have needed the job, but discrimination is not allowed in the work place what so ever. Everyone deserves to be treated equally, now I could understand her refusing service to you, if you were becoming an unrulely customer, but you weren't. So there was no reason for her to act like that.
Hearing things like that make me really angry at people like that, and her manager should be informed that one of his employees is treating customers in this fashion. That's really bad for business and he/she could be losing customers because of this woman.
4 people like this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
10 May 07
Sorry hun but this smacks of racism and unacceptable. That must have been a horrible experience for you and for your daughter too. I would have reported her straight away.
2 people like this
@buldwgz (1489)
• United States
10 May 07
That was horrible. There is no place for this kind of action, ever, but unfortunately I am not surprised by it. Maybe you should protest the sale through the bank since you didn't make it, your daughter did. Explain that to the owner and the bank. Let the owner know, maybe the person was the owner, or part of the group that owns it and then you would be lost in your complaint. I am so tired of this kind of thing being done. I always make a big deal out of it too when/if I am around, and I am white.
4 people like this
@uiwwitch (892)
• United States
10 May 07
what? Was she thinking it wasn't your card? That is definitely discrimination. You should have showed her your ID and asked to speak t the manager. I don't understand how people can still be like that.
Next time that happens make sure to show her she's out of line.
2 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
11 May 07
I would like to thank you all for your comments. My problem is that I'm not confrontational. After giving it much thought I've decided to contact the parent company since I've been with them for over 7 years and lodge my complaint with them.
2 people like this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
14 May 07
Thats terrible. I would of complained right there and then and asked her why she treated me like that. I don't like people to assume because I'm of color that I can't own a visa card? debit card? or gas card? that was rude of her and I would of made a complaint. Sorry to sound so harsh and I know life is too short sometimes to complain, but things like this do get up my nose and I don't like it happening to me or to others.
1 person likes this
@wifeofharvey (1156)
• United States
11 May 07
I am so sorry that this sort of thing still happens at all! I can't imagine how hard it would be to explain it to your child.
I would report it to the manager, he has the right to know if the clerk is being offensive to anyone.
@askmo_si_rodel (59)
• Philippines
11 May 07
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION! It's a pity that we still have "horror" stories like this today. In a day and age where we should have overcome the painful memories of the past, a time where having a different skin color can get you into trouble. I'm not surprise that there are still remnants of that forgotten era. Some people just don't learn...you did the right thing, pay no attention to these type of people, don't let them ruin your day :)
1 person likes this
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
11 May 07
If I was her boss I would want to know, I would report it, she made you feel uncomfortable and if it felt like discrimination it most certainly was.
You were a paying customer, and as such, you are one of many who is paying her salary. You have a right to be treated with respect no matter what your nationality, religion or gender.
1 person likes this
@PackratsHouse (238)
• United States
12 May 07
This was blatant discrimination. You should notify the company she works for and tell them about it in no uncertain terms. People do those things because they are sure they can get away with it. That the person who is discriminated against won't know what to do. Again, notify the company that owns the service station and use the words racial discrimination. It will get their attention!
1 person likes this
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
13 May 07
Wow, yea that was extreamly racist. I would have said something to the manager because behavior like that shouldn't be tolerated. She needed to be smacked really, cause that was just rude and uncalled for. I really hate people like her. I guess you are better than I am because I would have said something to her about it.
1 person likes this
@Deltaseccc (505)
• Namibia
11 May 07
Def discrimination. Should have reported it right away. I would have made a big scene and insisted on an apology.
@nannacroc (4049)
•
11 May 07
You're far too nice, this person deserves to be fired. She is not only being discriminatory towards you but she will also lose the company money by refusing to serve people on the basis of colour.
1 person likes this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
11 May 07
Don't immediately jump to conclusions that it's a race issue. While I'm sure you have reason to do so from other bad experiences, I think you should always give the benefit of the doubt. I have often had times when I've used my card at one place and then it doesn't go through at another or the clerk does something incorrect the first time and it's declined but runs it through again with no problems. In this world of technology it's not always human error or ignorance. And if it was her being racist then you showed that you were the brighter of the 2 by not allowing her to know that SHE got you angry. She's not worth the time or effort if she's going to think that way. We all face times when someone will dislike us for no real reason, and I'm certain as a woman of color you have experienced it more often then some but allowing yourself to even firstly assume it was a matter of race just lets the bigots win. Rise above them and laugh at their own ignorance.
1 person likes this
@killahclaire (3665)
•
11 May 07
wow that is so bad. I know how you are feeling though, you don't want to make more of a fuss and draw attention to yourself cos you feel like you have already bee ridiculed.
I know that here in the UK cards do occassionally get declined for a random reason and they do make you phone up and put in an authorisation number but I suppose you would kow better if this is the case in the states.
I think racism is terrible thing and I don't think though I will truly know as I am white and living in the UK. On a whole the UK is okay in terms of racism but I know in some parts it isn't. We are very multi-cultural here.
Don't lket the attendant make you feel the way you are. He isn't worth and you should not be made to feel down about yourself.
Be glad that you have brought up a daughter who is willing to look out for you and to stand up for you as well as her race.
1 person likes this
@prestocaro (1251)
• United States
11 May 07
You say "she might have really needed her job", so if she did, she shouldn't be intimidating customers and trying to make them feel bad. Whenever they call a credit card company, you can tell the clerk that you wish to speak to them directly. This way you are in control of the situation.
I feel that this was discrimination. You can still call and complain! You should because people need to learn that that is not acceptable. We live in the 21st century! That lady should be GONE she needs to learn that lesson the hard way. You don't deserve to be treated like a second-class citizen by ANYONE based on how you look, period. That is BS. And also ILLEGAL!
@evelynlyp (788)
• Japan
11 May 07
This is discrimination. You're buying something at a convenience store!! you don't need to check with whatever authorities concerning a card. Its not like you are buying thousand dollar worth of items. You should report her. It doesn't matter she lose her job or not. She doesn't deserve to be treated nicely because she can't treat you nicely.
I'll get her fired or something if I were you. If she can't do the job she doesn't deserve to get hired.
1 person likes this
