Appearance Based Discrimination
@totallyundecided (3190)
Philippines
August 7, 2011 8:41am CST
Just days ago, I had a status telling about a rude Store Manager we've encountered.
My friend and I have plans on having a franchise in this popular pizza parlor here in our city. So we decided to dine in one franchise. By the time we got there, the place was empty so we tried to settled ourselves in the left corner were there was an aquarium because we thought it's the perfect place to discuss things.
We then ordered our favorite pizza. The cashier stared at us somehow with the "head to foot" look. We didn't mind at first because we were busy scanning the menu - excited what to order. Then when we asked how many minutes before it would be served, somehow, she over emphasized the prices from the ordinary cheese to the mozarella ones. Even told us to order from the ordinary cheese since "it's cheaper" though we made it clear that it's mozarella we want. I was starting to burn with irritation and still chose not to mind.
Then minutes after we settles ourselves to talk from planning on getting a franchise, the music was played loudly. We didn't notice there was a speaker above us. We asked her kindly to lower down the volume. She did but still it was loud enough. The waiter who cleaned the other table, we asked him just to lower the volume a little. Then she told the cashier - what she did was turned off the music. I, that time, is already burning with annoyance that I asked the one who served our pizza's who their manager. Then she pointed her finger to the cashier we talked to earlier. We were so shocked. Shocked that we asked her again if she's sure. She was unfortunately.
We tried asking her name and she replied in a very rude manner of "Why?". I don't know how I can hold it anymore but then my friend told me just to keep my cool. She was the one who did asked her name in terms of inquiries regarding about getting a frnachise. She did say her name. I hope it's her true name. After I lost my appetite, I decided that we go to he main branch to file a complaint for that rude cashier/manager.. Never regretted it anyway.
5 people like this
16 responses
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
7 Aug 11
Most of the time you'll get judged just by how you look. It's more likely that racism is based on judging other people by their appearance. It's how conmen deceived other people by their looks. People really are vulnerable in that area, seeing it as an advantage, of course. I don't really care what others think of me, or at least try not to, but in most cases, I always watch how I look like and seem like to other people. Most of the time I can deceive inadvertently, me doing nothing, but I always try to straighten it to them. If they don't wanna listen, fine. They can't say I didn't warn them when it all comes down to a pulp.
1 person likes this
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
I am guilty of this sometimes because I judge a person sometimes with how he/she dress and how he/she carries himself most especially with the hygiene part (ie nails, body odor.. i hate bad breath most especially).
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
I can't say I don't judge others but that's how humans really are, I guess. That's also why I do the next best thing, I just don't say anything until I prove it right or wrong.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
I can't say I don't judge others but that's how humans really are, I guess. That's also why I do the next best thing, I just don't say anything until I prove it right or wrong.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
11 Aug 11
This is definitely something that happens all the time and everywhere. People are judged on the way that they are dressed and they are judged on their overall appearance. One example would be one of my daughter's favorite people in the world, her babysitter from the time that she was three years old and even now occasionally. She is a big woman and a lot of people discount her because of that fact. With that said, she is one of the sweetest and most giving people that you will ever meet.
1 person likes this
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
That's very sad and I know it's one of the disappointing manners of the human nature for us to quick to judge basing it on the appearance and when we get to know them in person, that would be the time how we feel embarrassed because we realized how beautiful a a person is on the inside.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
9 Aug 11
I know what this is like. Because of my acne, and how bad it gets sometimes, people almost don't want to hire me because of it. Is it discrimination, yes, but employers get away with it all of the time.
There was also a sandwich shop and deli that I like to go to in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and to those of you all who live in Rancho, you all know which one I am talking about. They make the best New York subs on the West Coast, but the manager or the person who owns the place is Christian and he is the "Bible thumping" Christian, and he will blare the Christian music in his sub shop and he will have pamphlets around the sub shops for religions gathering and certain religious things. I know a lot of people who went once, and said, "The sandwiches are great, but I wish the owner would be a little more open-minded out people of other faiths and religions". Several people told me that even though the sandwiches were great, they would never go back because of the owners lack of consideration for people of other religions. I go there because I love the sandwiches, but I ignore the Christian overtones.
If you don't like the way that a place conducts business, or you don't like the people that they hire, don't put up with it, or just go and get what you need or want and get out quickly.
1 person likes this
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
He should have never thought of that kind of business if he wants to be exclusive. I hate it when that happens. That's why there's free will because we are free to choose on who to believe and bestow our faith.
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
8 Aug 11
Wow, that was a really bad service and rude treatment. I don't understand why did something like that happen.
I don't know how do your friend or you look like, but I think it shouldn't matter to be treated with respect as customers who go to spend their money in a shop, and also to know better about it. I hope filing a complain will be worth so people who can't work in customer service properly will stop behaving like that and being that jugdmental 
1 person likes this
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
Its a hard fact to live by that no matter what we do to avoid cases like this - it will happen.
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
8 Aug 11
That's such a bad experience u had. I don't like such encounters as well, especially in the service sectors whereby they believe in what they see. Most staffs like them are often taught and trained by the company, so as to achieve more sales with little effort. That's the kind of attitude i hate from salesperson. IF i'm there, i will be sure to throw my payment on her face, and tell her to forget about the change.
1 person likes this
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
Now you just gave me an idea on what to do the next I'll have an encounter with a rude crew. LOL
1 person likes this
@astroversion (210)
• Philippines
8 Aug 11
I'm sorry to hear that. It should not be that way. Being treated in that manner will really get you screaming from the inside. Good thing you kept your cool. Managers like her are bad for business and what is making the business bad should be taken out. They make you think twice, does this person love his/her job or is sick about it. I hope the top management has done something about her.
1 person likes this
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
I hope so, too, astroversion. Because there are many people who deserve to be in her job that has more of the personality like she has.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
7 Aug 11
Actually, I hope you learned something from this experience.
1) Managers like that tend to drive away customers and that is their loss and hopefully your gain if you are in the same type of business.
2) Many people do make snap judgements based on appearance. That is a fact of life. But, good business people do not allow their "snap judgements" to get in the way of good customer service; and, they make sure that their own appearance make a positive "snap judgement" for their customers.
If you treat all of your custoemrs the way you would have liked to be treated, I am sure that you will succeed.
1 person likes this
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
Yes. Their loss for that particular franchise because I am a big fan of their pizza parlor. But it seems that it has gone to her head that she IS the Store Manager and she has gained power over something. I hope she realizes that it'll soon come back to her. She'll also get treated like the way she has treated her crew and some customers aside from me. Tsk.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
8 Aug 11
I have no idea what went wrong. Were you and or your friends not good looking or maybe a bit on the heavy side? I do know that some cafeterias and restaurants have policies of no bare feet, but you did not say that. If it were because you were not that good looking, then that is wrong. And she should have turned down the volume. It is a good thing that you filed the complaint. No one should be rude to not good looking people. AFter all, they cannot help it. They did not choose their parents.
@jdyrj777 (6528)
• United States
7 Aug 11
Dang that was extremely rude. To just assume for whatever reason that you should order the cheaper choices. All her whole negitive attitude. That would have been funny if you had already had that franchies and she was your employee.
Ive ran into rude employees too.
One recenty was at a dollar store. I wanted to do some shopping there and asked if i could use the restroom. The cashier said "No we have been having too many problems with that and desided not to let they key out anymore. Go to taco bell." I told her im not shopping at taco bell im shopping here". Still, "no sorry". "whos the manager?" "Me." Anyways i ended up not shopping there for a very long time. I did go to taco bell that day without buying there then i just went on home.
One day i went into a donut shop up the street to order a cold beverage. I looked at the guy and he looked a bit different from how i remembered he looked when ive been there before. I asked,"Are you new here?" He went off "Get out of my store! Leave, before i call the police!" Im schocked...it was like a skit out of satutrday night live show. im like "what? why?". I stayed and explain that he just looked differnt from what i remember him. Then he came back to me and said," Nevr think iam a lesser person than you." He explained that he had just had problems with the previous customer because he was working in the back when they arrived and they gave him trouble. I knew this guy owned this store and the whole thing was just so unexpected because he had always been pleasent before. As a matter of fact i actually respected him because of coming from another country and now owning his own store here. Now i kind of avoid going in there.
1 person likes this
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
Wow. That must have been really disappointing to be treated like that.I really hate whenever things like these happens because I know that we mean no harm or we are just there to like have a good time and occurrences like that happen and will only destroy our mood for the day. 
@tess_quinain (1149)
• Philippines
8 Aug 11
People judge by appearance and it is a fact. We cannot change that. The way you dress tells what kind of person you are. That's why getting dress well is a big factor. It gives people an impression on you. To have a good impression we should dress well but you know we can't pleased everyone.
1 person likes this
@preethaanju (3000)
• India
7 Aug 11
Yes this appears to happen everywhere. People who are good looking both men and women and those who are well refined in their dressing get more attention and respect.Swami Vivekananda was once turned away by a gatekeeper for attending a function in his saffron robes,but was let in when he came back dressed in formals
1 person likes this
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
It can't be helped sometimes though when you're not dressed for the occasion and it's their standard protocol not to let anyone who's not in the dress code.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
8 Aug 11
Hiya TD,
One very rude Lady I don´t why on earth People want to be like that you know. If you want that kind of cheese why can´t you have it?
They do have loud music on as well sometimes don´t they?
You had the right attitude as well both of you. We should not have to put up with this kind of Person not at all.
We avoid going to one Cafeteria as she is always closing the place much earlier than it says on the Door outside and she say very falsely don´t think that I am trying to get rid of you and I thought no not half.
I find her too "plastic" in her attitude to efficient she does not come across as natural she is saying one thing and thinking another.
One poor Man was eating there while they were sweeping up around and under his feet and she kept saying take your time don´t hurry I thought what a cheek that would have given me indigestion you go to a Cafeteria to enjoy your food and not to have to gobble it and rush out in five minutes do you?
The last time we went in she turned the Television off all together and started to switch off all the lights and pull the Shutters down as well. Then she started doing the Till in front of us. The Coffee was disgustingly cold as well.
We have decided not to go while she is there so she has lost another two Customers with that attitude of hers.
If she wants to close earlier she should just close up and not let anyone else in. I think its so rude of her to be like that.
I don´t want to go there to drink a stone cold Coffee not at all.
Lets hope you find somewhere else better to go and eat out good luck.xxx
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
She and the mozzarella must have something going on for her top be so possessive like that. Anyway, it's all been done and I hope that whatever awaits her - she should also learned her lesson so that she'll know how it feels like that someone is rude towards her.
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
If only I was the owner of the franchise. I would've have fired her on the spot. LOL
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
7 Aug 11
that person it so so lucky, for if ever my wife was in that situation she will not let that pass without telling that person that costumer is always right and she has no right to do that. my wife, as you know is a very patient woman... and as you know also that she used to sing with us in our band... and before that she also sang in hotels in the Philippines and Asia so she knows how well to treat "PAYING COSTUMERS" so in an event like that she really freaks out. this happens to us already in a chinese resto, and we went there and eat with only plain clothes. so the staff are not happy to serve us. we ordered for additional yang chow rice but they did not place the order... so there goes wifey... straight to the manager. dont judge the book by its cover, specially if you are not a judge.
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
Check. I also have my own experience on how to serve customers because I also have worked as a waitress but I have never look down to those who come to the pizza parlor I've worked with since I know they all come there to have fun, to be with friends and though there are times that can't be helped when you encounter arrogant customers and who will treat you badly. But so far, I will never ever get to treat customers like that knowing that went there and paid our food plus service.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
13 Aug 11
on a business like this costumers are very important no matter what kind of costumer you might be. no matter how plenty you ordered or how small still you are a paying costumer. what happened with your complain? t=did they acted on it or just told you they will note it? i hope the staff that showed you unpleasant ways was suspended.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
7 Aug 11
I don't like to complain but on the other hand if no one does the company never know what is going on in it's stores. I spent many years in customer service and I always trained my new people to treat the public like guests in their homes. After all no public no wages.
