I work part time at a chain bookstore and of course we have to wear name tags. There is a certain scenario that keeps playing out that totally bugs me.Customer: "Do you have X cd by Bette Midler?"
Me: "Let me look it up and see"
Customer: (Stares at me)
Me: (checking computer)
Customer: (reads name tag) "Are you Hispanic?"
Me: (wondering what this has to do with finding Bette Midler cd) "...yes?"
Everytime this has happened the customer has been White and male. I guess this happens because my features don't look stereotypically Hispanic to White men, so when they read my name tag it kind of blows their mind. But I still can't understand how asking a complete stranger what race they are isn't percieved of as rude (or at least totally impolite). And given the whole Customer-Service Always Make the Customer Happy layer to it, I feel like I can't call them out on it for fear of getting written up or some bullshit. So yes, Random White Dudes, I'm Hispanic. Is there anything else personal you want to know, like my cup size? or my legalization status?
3 comments:
so, what really is yr cup size?
TELL ME.
i'll tell you later
I was brought here by the Inigo Montoya Badge (love it). But I'll be polite and leave a note.
For what it's worth, that's a pretty ignorant and rude thing to be asked. I wish I could apologise for my gender/skin colour and promise it won't happen again.
But I know men and I know retail. :( They can't help but blurt out things like that, I think it's the combination of being male and being a customer that does it. It's like the two seperate forms of idiocy multiply together into something new.
Still, if it's any consolation. I get asked stupid questions about myself as well. Hazards of retail I guess...
Post a Comment