03.21.09
retail
Look, if you intercept me on the way to the shelves, then follow me around the store while asking every thirty seconds if I’m looking for anything, that’s not good customer service. I know that you think I’m a shoplifter. I know this because I know people with retail training, and this is a standard technique for confronting a suspected thief in a non-confrontational manner. It especially doesn’t work if you stand four feet away and pretend to rearrange merchandise, always conveniently a few feet away, just out of sight, when I move to another section.
Yes, I’m swarthy. I get it. I look, I dunno, Mexican or Arab or I dunno, just up to no good and you can’t put your finger on it but your gut tells you I’m up to something but no you’re not racist you just have a funny feeling no you’re not being silly you just have a hunch. I’m sorry that makes you uneasy. I get it. But that’s your problem, and you’re making it my problem. It’s not even just that – it’s that you’re also aggravating an (in your mind) potentially armed robber over… $6 worth of merchandise? This little stunt would be a bad idea even if your hunch was correct.
My credit is excellent, my wallet is full of cash, and I’m taking my business elsewhere in the future.