Is There Racism ? What would you have done ?

[pinoybaptist]

To continue the title: What would you have thought, and how would you have reacted ?

Last night I went to Giant, one of the "superstores" here in Waldorf, Maryland. Among the items I bought were two wrappers of salted Mackerel fillets. At the check out, the cashier, white, pretty and attractive, and conscious of it, reacted in a manner which I found to be insulting, tactless, and bottom line: racist.

When she got to the two items mentioned above, she said and did something right there in front of me, other customers, and her bag boy. She made a slight face, with the remark that the "stuff" is smelly, she doesn't like it, would not eat it, held the stuff the way one would when handling a dead, rotting rat.

I repeat, all these, within hearing distance of me, who sometimes have to wear a hearing amplifier, the shopper who bought the food THEY were selling, treated like a mountain man who eats live chicken, yuckie, yuckie.

I was sorely tempted to put her in place right there and then, but that would cause a scene, hold up other customers who had nothing to do with the problem, so I kept the receipt which had her name on it, and fired a complaint to Consumer Affairs of Giant.

What would you have done if this happened to you, and how would you have felt ?

 

[Revmitchell]

So where does racism come into this?

 

[Bob Alkire]

What would you have done if this happened to you, and how would you have felt ?

Nothing. I don't think how one feels about the smell of fish has anything to do with race.

My mother would not allow my father and I to cook fish inside the house, she didn't care for the smell of it. In fact we didn't eat fish inside the house. We would cook it out at the river or behind the barn out in the field and eat it their. Also, my mother would not go to a fish fry at church.

I have a neighbor who does not like it ( he can't stand the smell of fish) if I have a fish fry out side in my back yard ( he is black from NYC and I'm white from here), he is a good guy so I don't fry fish out side.

But each to their own, I try not to get my feeling hurt by others.

 

[Spear]

Hi, i see no racism in that, i see a cashier, not well mannered, who should be taken in charge by her manager.

If you want something to be done, tell her manager !

 

[tinytim]

I don't see the racism.. I do see a cashier insulting the products she is selling...which isn't smart for her to keep her job...

But racism? How does a smelly fish = racism? I don't get it. Of course I am slow.

BTW, I agree with her assessment on Mackeral! YUCK. But that doesn't make me a racist.. (Unless you could say I am at Trout Supremacist!!! lol)

If she made you feel uncomfortable, and obviously she did.. I would have done what you did... held my tongue, then complained to the right people.

 

[Twizzler]

I'm EXTREMELY interested in knowing how this is a racist act. Are you a minority? Perhaps if she looked at you with disdain it was because you were buying something that she held in disdain? Yes, I agree she acted stupidly, but that's what kids do, isn't it?

If you are a minority, good sir, and you seriously think this was an act of racism, I'd say the charge should be turned right around and pointed at you.

Racism-
The belief that some races are inherently superior (physically, intellectually, or culturally) to others and therefore have a right to dominate them. In the United States, racism, particularly by whites against blacks, has created profound racial tension and conflict in virtually all aspects of American society. Until the breakthroughs achieved by the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, white domination over blacks was institutionalized and supported in all branches and levels of government, by denying blacks their civil rights and opportunities to participate in political, economic, and social communities.

Just because someone doesn't like you or what you're buying doesn't make them a racist... it means they don't like you or what you're buying.

 

[pinoybaptist]

So where does racism come into this?

Yeah, maybe it's just me, but, it made me kinda think, would she have done what she did, and said what she said, if I was white, blue-eyed, spoke with a twang, young and good looking, instead of being brown-skinned, brown eyed, black haired, looking more Hispanic than Filipino, and speaking with a very noticeable accent ?
I guess we'll never know, eh ?
That's the thing with this anti-racism law, you'll never know.

I mean, if I was white, she would have been put in place right there and then, with four letter words to boot (most of the time), but other races would most likely keep quiet, and dealing with people most of the time at her job, and given the brashness she displayed, I am almost certain she knows this.

 

[pinoybaptist]

I'm EXTREMELY interested in knowing how this is a racist act. Are you a minority? Perhaps if she looked at you with disdain it was because you were buying something that she held in disdain? Yes, I agree she acted stupidly, but that's what kids do, isn't it?

Well, yes, I'm an immigrant, from the Philippines, and therefore a minority among minorities. And she was not a kid. She's about mid-twenties, and the fact that she can count, means she had some education, which should have been what she was using.
So, she was not stupid.
She was being insolent, rude, and well aware of what she was saying.
I would say that her bag boy was embarrassed for her, and saw the effect on me of what she did.
Eyes have a way of saying more than tongues do.

If you are a minority, good sir, and you seriously think this was an act of racism, I'd say the charge should be turned right around and pointed at you.

Really ? Take a look at your definition, especially the first part or paragraph. It says: The belief that some races are inherently superior (physically, intellectually, or culturally) to others and therefore have a right to dominate them.

Perhaps she thought she was the dominant race and therefore could treat others of other races rudely when she felt like it, and expect them not to react ?

So, what you're saying is, I am the one who got "beat up on", in a manner of speaking, and if I cry "ouch", it's my fault, eh ?

Just because someone doesn't like you or what you're buying doesn't make them a racist... it means they don't like you or what you're buying.

True. But just because you've got underarm odor doesn't give the right to others to tell you very rudely they think you stink, does it ?
Is that what you teach your kids ?
And is that what you teach your congregation, if you're pastoring ?

 

[just-want-peace]

Yeah, maybe it's just me, but, it made me kinda think, would she have done what she did, and said what she said, if I was white, blue-eyed, spoke with a twang, young and good looking, instead of being brown-skinned, brown eyed, black haired, looking more Hispanic than Filipino, and speaking with a very noticeable accent ?
I guess we'll never know, eh ?
That's the thing with this anti-racism law, you'll never know.

I mean, if I was white, she would have been put in place right there and then, with four letter words to boot (most of the time), but other races would most likely keep quiet, and dealing with people most of the time at her job, and given the brashness she displayed, I am almost certain she knows this.

HUH???????

 

[tinytim]

Yeah, maybe it's just me, but, it made me kinda think, would she have done what she did, and said what she said, if I was white, blue-eyed, spoke with a twang, young and good looking, instead of being brown-skinned, brown eyed, black haired, looking more Hispanic than Filipino, and speaking with a very noticeable accent ?
I guess we'll never know, eh ?
That's the thing with this anti-racism law, you'll never know.

I mean, if I was white, she would have been put in place right there and then, with four letter words to boot (most of the time), but other races would most likely keep quiet, and dealing with people most of the time at her job, and given the brashness she displayed, I am almost certain she knows this.

What???!!! You're not young and good looking????!!!

I hope you have a better day today...

 

[pinoybaptist]

What???!!! You're not young and good looking????!!!

Take a look at the avatar, man.

I hope you have a better day today...

thank you, that is, if that wasn't said with sarcasm, if it was, I take back the thank you. (just kidding).

I will have a better day.
Ain't gon' go buy nuthin' at Giant's anymore, any Giant's.

 

[pinoybaptist]

HUH???????

Yeah, yeah, I know.
But you see, those statements were not just out of thin air, my friend.
I've been around a while.
I've seen customer "service" people in face to face situations treat Asians who barely speak English rudely and then when it was my turn they'd look and think "Latino" or "American Indian", and be more polite and courteous, and when they hear the accent, that invisible "air" would come right back so thick you could slice it with a knife, if you know what I mean.
I've seen it several times.
In interview lines, in item return lines, in drugstores.

 

[Twizzler]

I'm not hiding from this thread... I've got meetings that I've got to go to and it's Friday... I'll likely post some more tonight or over the weekend if I get a chance.

I'm not done!

 

[pinoybaptist]

I'm not hiding from this thread... I've got meetings that I've got to go to and it's Friday... I'll likely post some more tonight or over the weekend if I get a chance.

I'm not done!

Ain't holding my breath.

 

[tinytim]

Take a look at the avatar, man.


thank you, that is, if that wasn't said with sarcasm, if it was, I take back the thank you. (just kidding).

I will have a better day.
Ain't gon' go buy nuthin' at Giant's anymore, any Giant's.

LOL... Nah.. I was actually being nice...
I know what it is like to have someone make fun of you for something personal.

It may have been a racist remark.. I can imagine it.. but I would have had to been there..

But even if it wasn't.. she was rude to a customer..
And should be held accountable.

 

[abcgrad94]

Yeah, yeah, I know.
But you see, those statements were not just out of thin air, my friend.
I've been around a while.
I've seen customer "service" people in face to face situations treat Asians who barely speak English rudely and then when it was my turn they'd look and think "Latino" or "American Indian", and be more polite and courteous, and when they hear the accent, that invisible "air" would come right back so thick you could slice it with a knife, if you know what I mean.
I've seen it several times.
In interview lines, in item return lines, in drugstores.

Sorry, pinoybaptist, this wasn't a race issue. You had an inmature cashier who needs to learn some manners, that's all. I've had similar instances and felt I was mistreated simply because I'm overweight. Oh well. You can't go through life with a "poor me, I'm being discriminated againt" attitude. That's why we have minorities with an entitlement attitude, because they harbor resentment and keep a constant chip on their shoulder. It doesn't matter what is said or done, they will take offense and scream "racist!"

I'm not saying you do, personally, but I've seen this attitude in lots of minorities and it only serves to widen the chasm between races.

Take the experience for what it was and move on.

 

[pinoybaptist]

Sorry, pinoybaptist, this wasn't a race issue. You had an inmature cashier who needs to learn some manners, that's all. I've had similar instances and felt I was mistreated simply because I'm overweight. Oh well. You can't go through life with a "poor me, I'm being discriminated againt" attitude. That's why we have minorities with an entitlement attitude, because they harbor resentment and keep a constant chip on their shoulder. It doesn't matter what is said or done, they will take offense and scream "racist!"

I'm not saying you do, personally, but I've seen this attitude in lots of minorities and it only serves to widen the chasm between races.

Take the experience for what it was and move on.

Thanks for the advice.
Yeah, like I told Rev Mitchell, it must have just been me.

The lady was /// insolent /// with an overinflated ego, and I would love to have said that to her face.

Well, one day she's going to meet up with somebody who will without hesitation burst her bubble.

Still, I think she's a racist because.........:smilewinkgrin::tongue3:

 

[Amy.G]

Pinoy, from what you describe I don't think it was racist, but I can't see that woman's heart, so perhaps she could have had an axe to grind. I think your other assessment of her was accurate.

There is no excuse for her behavior. Jerks come in all colors. Most of us, couldn't care less what your race is. I hope you don't care what race I am.

Being from the south, I have a southern accent and have been mocked to my face by people who have moved here from the north. What nerve! If you don't like how I talk, the highway runs both ways ya know! After all, I was here first! :laugh:

I have also experienced discrimination first hand. Many years ago, I went into the computer field which was male dominated. I had been to school and was trained to be a computer operator. You know the computers that take up an entire floor of a big office building? I was told by one interviewer that a woman could not do such a job because she would be undependable and have to be off work to take care of her children and family. He said a woman would never take the job seriously. Oh brother. I don't know why he even bothered to interview me, but I went home and wrote a 2 page letter to that guy telling him what a jerk he was. I ended up tearing up the letter because I decided he wasn't worth it. Basically, people are scum. Me included. Thank the Lord for mercy and grace!
Don't let this woman get to you. She isn't worth it.
:1_grouphug:

 

[preachinjesus]

The lady was /// insolent /// with an overinflated ego, and I would love to have said that to her face.

wow, you actual typed that in a forum. You had all the time between typing it and clicking the post to decide to not post it and yet, you posted it.

This isn't racism, frankly in reading your post sounds like you have some deep animosity towards people like her. I'm not gonna say she should have said that but to call her this above it out of bounds for a follower of Christ.

 

[Jim1999]

Something I learned during the Civil Rights Days was that if you reacted to offhand remarks then they won.

Civil Rights....peaceful marches, no violence. Lord knows there was plenty of violence on the other side and we weren't all Black!

Cheers,

Jim