Frances P.
Google
Disrespectful, Discriminatory, and Unacceptable
I have never felt so unwelcome in a retail store in my life.
The moment we walked in with our children, the employee immediately said, “We don’t sell children’s shoes,” in a tone that clearly suggested we should leave. We politely explained we were shopping for ourselves, not our kids. He then retreated to the register without apology.
Shortly after, my husband tried on a hat. The same employee rushed over and said his store only sells “high-end items” and that it wasn’t a good idea for my husband to try on the hat because it was “delicate” and if it were ruined, it was a $500 hat. The implication was crystal clear: that my husband couldn’t afford it or would damage it.
For context, my husband is a physician who practices anesthesia and could have easily purchased multiple items in that store — not that our income should ever need to be justified to receive basic respect.
The entire interaction felt discriminatory and deeply uncomfortable. Whether it was because my husband is Black, because we had small children with us, or because we were dressed casually, the treatment was unacceptable. No customer should ever be profiled, spoken down to, or made to feel “less than” in a place of business.
Retail employees are not gatekeepers of who is “worthy” of shopping. This store managed to be rude, condescending, and offensive all within minutes of us entering.
We will never spend our money here, and I strongly caution others — especially families and people of color — to take their business elsewhere. Luxury prices do not excuse disgusting behavior.
