Confessions of a Service Clerk, Part 10 "The Biggot"

[Kelda]

We have these cute, little infant T-shirts at my store. They say clever things like "I cry when ugly people hold me" and "I don't have an off switch". Quippy casual wear for little ones. All the staff has been having a grand time with them.

It happens that two of the shirts are written in Spanish. This isn't any surprise to the me or the rest of the employees since the Hispanic population makes up a good portion of our profits. Good business dictates that to keep a neighborhood store popular, everyone must feel welcome. That's how we get people keep prying open their wallets in our current economy.

Yesterday, after I rang up two customers, a mother and daughter, I heard them oogle those cute infant shirts. When the mother saw the two written in Spanish, she was obviously outraged. "I am going to call somebody about this!", she said. Then she went on to say probably the dumbest thing I heard that day: "They don't have things written in American in Mexico!".

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Firstly, to think that our company is going to stop offering such goods to the Hispanic customers that make up so much of our sales is crazy. Yes, let's stop selling things to catered Hispanic people and people of Hispanic decent. We all know they are evil and their dollars turn to ash in our pockets.

Our company can put up a sign reading "No Hispanics" outside the door. That way, we can keep out all the illegals. Then we should boy-cot all hispanic inspired goods. That's right, burn your box of Old Elpaso, throw out your salsa, stop making a "run for the border" when you get the munchies, no more nachos for you, Nelly.

Absurd. The rascism that hispanics encounter on a daily basis remind me of something else...

As for Mexico not having signs in English... well, I'm pretty sure that lady has never stepped foot outside this country. Are you kidding me? You don't think that the business people in Mexico pretend we don't exist when we cross the border to get the most out of our vacations?

Oh, that's right, they have big signs outside their shops and businesses that says "No Rich Americans".

And as a little side-bar: Why does everyone think Hispanic people are Mexican? What I've learned from the immigrants here is that they are from a wealth of places. Columbia, Costa Rica, Brazil... those countries aren't in Mexico. Mexico is not a continent.

I'm very ashamed that so many of my country-men are going around acting like snarky biggots who assume that every red-blooded American is going to share their sentiment of racism. My mother and my sisters are not American. I get a little offended when someone spouts off at the handle without thinking who might be listening.

My sisters and my mom are stealing your jobs...

I wanted to claw that woman's eyes out for her ignorance, but I knew I was representing my company at the time and could not behave that way. Instead, I went to a co-worker and told her that if I went to Mexico, I'd have no problem shopping. Then I told her that we have T's written in Spanish because they will sell.

My co-worker was puzzled, but said, "ah, I know".

[QuietDepression]

Aug. 15, 2008 at 6:54 PM

LMFAO!!!! My friend Jon is over here playing the Wii and I just told him about Nelly not getting her nachos... we are both DYING!!!!

I know its not funny, racism that is, but the way you presented made her look like the ignorant f*cktard that she is. I cant believe she said that but I too know strange the comments can become when you are working in the public. 

Do you think she is one of those losers we were talking about that writes in L337? One of those who would type on her myspace/cafemom journal,

"OMG I cat beeleeve tehy sell hiaspanic teeshrits herr at dat store we was att dis mornen...ugh, lik who speeks mexiican ene waay?"

Ten dollars says either she or her daughter does...

Im voting this one popular..you always ALWAYS never fail to entertain and inform me with your journals, girl!

 

 

[QuietDepression]

Aug. 15, 2008 at 6:55 PM

*HOW strange the comments can become...my bad!