So, I live in a village. Its not a very small one- but its friendly enough and you generally see the same faces around. We must have at least ten charity shops, which I Love going to for various reasons, such as- they're cheaper, the stuff is more unique and of course, because the majority of the funds go to charity. I like to think I'm a fairly well brought up girl; I don't walk around with my arse hanging out of my trousers, I don't wear a belt and call it a skirt... I turn down my music when I enter a store, in case the sound leaks and bugs other people, I'm always polite to people. Yet, for some reason- and today wasn't the first time, but was the most extreme case- people judge me; treat me like I'll steal their belongings, or shout abuse at them or something. Mostly, I've beleived this was because I'm a teenager and some of the teens in my area can be pretty horrible- and usually if a person is glaring at me, or looking wary at me- I just shoot them a smile and for the most part, they relax and smile back. Once or twice I've added a "good morning" or "good afternoon" along with it, but it generally works. Today, however was an entirely different matter.
Nowadays the term "racist" is thrown around,far too often, where it really shouldn't be. In this case, however, I don't know what else to conclude.
I was in one of these charity shops, browsing, and an older gentleman saw me and began shooting me horrible looks.I gave him a smile and went back to what I was doing and I hear him turn to someone and say- "we need to get her sort out of here". I turned and saw he was still looking at me with distain. Usually, comments such as that don't phase me in the slightest- however in this instance I was caught off guard. My village is one of the few places I'd never had that happen to me, and I never thought it ever would. So I turned and left the store in favour of one of the other 9 charity shops. I have little more to say on the matter beyond my utter disbeleif that there are people who feel like its okay to make that sort of comment- to treat other people with such little respect. I'm sure he thought I couldn't hear him- but that doesn't change the fact that he said it.
It completely threw me. It's not crazy, is it?
Written Badly by Naomi Wong
You were just fine to be annoyed. That was uncalled for. You weren't doing anything wrong. My guess: that guy was a sour fellow from the start. He's most likely unhappy and uses every opportunity to force his unhappiness on others. You were the unlucky recipient of that today. Don't let it bother you, as you said you don't often do.
ReplyDeleteI might have been tempted to go up to him, very cool and ask exactly what he meant by 'her sort'. If it's because of your heritage, then here have been Orientals in the UK for hundreds of years. If it's because you're a woman, he's a mysogynist [bleep!].
ReplyDeleteWhat is he afraid of? It's not catching and shouldn't affect him one iota. On either account, he's close to breaking the law. I might have also been tempted to get out my mobile phone and make out you're about to call the local police for racial/sexual harassment.
:::HUGS:::
That is crazy... Stupid grouchy old fart...it's a wonder he stays in business doing crap like that.
ReplyDelete