Weird Experience

[westwoody]

Standing in line at a fancy clothes store a few minutes ago. (Lindenwoods in YWG)

Ahead of me is a group of five east Indian guys, two with turbans, all dressed pretty sharp.

They are starting to walk out and one puts on a pair of sunglasses. A young woman behind me speaks up; "Sunglasses? Sunglasses? Respect the customs of the country you are in!"

The whole store goes silent. Everyone stares at her. I'm trying to think of what customs Canada has regarding sunglasses, where did she get that comment from? The guys look at me, maybe they thought she was with with me. I shrugged my shoulders and rolled my eyes, don't want any part of this. The woman goes looks right back at them "Yeah! If you don't like it go back where you came from".

I wanted to tell the woman to STFU but walked away.
Amazing people still act like that.

 

[JimDandy]

Racists will always find something to complain about. I know someone that went on and on about how the Chinese have no fashion sense because she sees them wear white socks with black dress shoes. I agree that it is not something I would do, but I would not let it get me upset either. She probably does not think she is racist but my suspicion is that she is.

JD

 

[VanessainVictoria]

I don't know if I could bite my tongue. I would probably say something like, "You are not serious!?!"

 

[ddcanz]

I would have called her (or any other) an ignorant cunt right to her face. I have no time for this sort of BS in public.

Where did she think she was? At Tim Horton's with a little white lightning in her Double Double?

 

[clu]

Encountered a few random racists this summer. I found I can't help myself anymore... I called them out on it. In one case, the racist starts arguing with me instead of the Asian guys that were innocently looking at their map, so... maybe that helped?? In the other case, the guy shut up.

But seriously, what custom is she talking about?!

 

[badbadboy]

I can never get why people yap off like this and create a confrontation. You hear about these incidents regularly in Tim Hortons, on buses etc.

When you see it happening in person you want to tell them to STFU but know it wouldn't change a thing. Sooner or later, she will encounter someone who won't put up with that crap.

 

[clu]

When you see it happening in person you want to tell them to STFU but know it wouldn't change a thing. Sooner or later, she will encounter someone who won't put up with that crap.

FWIW I didn't confront the two racists I encountered to change their minds. I did it because I saw the pain in the faces of the people taking the brunt of their abuse and wanted them to know they had allies.

 

[badbadboy]

FWIW I didn't confront the two racists I encountered to change their minds. I did it because I saw the pain in the faces of the people taking the brunt of their abuse and wanted them to know they had allies.

That's a good point.

We need to speak up and make the racists uncomfortable.

I've seen too many of these incidents on the news and can't believe how people can spew this stuff.

 

[80watts]

Well, how old was she? If she is older, sunglasses were meant to be worn outside, not inside..

That could be her reasoning. but people have been wearing them inside stores since the 90's...

Compare that to wearing a hat while eating at a restaurant....

 

[jamasianman]

Or it might have been that there is a sign that says no hoodies no sunglasses no hats, so if anyone tries to steal then they have a disguise. But that is a stretch, the lady is a whackjob.

 

[JimDandy]

Or it might have been that there is a sign that says no hoodies no sunglasses no hats, so if anyone tries to steal then they have a disguise. But that is a stretch, the lady is a whackjob.

My bank does not allow customers to wear sun glasses for the obvious reason. Other than banks, I can see no reason for not allowing sun glasses in doors.

JD

 

[take8easy]

Standing in line at a fancy clothes store a few minutes ago. (Lindenwoods in YWG)

Ahead of me is a group of five east Indian guys, two with turbans, all dressed pretty sharp.

They are starting to walk out and one puts on a pair of sunglasses. A young woman behind me speaks up; "Sunglasses? Sunglasses? Respect the customs of the country you are in!"

The whole store goes silent. Everyone stares at her. I'm trying to think of what customs Canada has regarding sunglasses, where did she get that comment from? The guys look at me, maybe they thought she was with with me. I shrugged my shoulders and rolled my eyes, don't want any part of this. The woman goes looks right back at them "Yeah! If you don't like it go back where you came from".

I wanted to tell the woman to STFU but walked away.
Amazing people still act like that.

Many members have said it is best to walk away.

The question I have is, would you walk away if the woman was the victim and racist remarks was made against her? In other words, would we react differently if 'Canadian' was the target and the people making such stupid comments were "not Canadian looking'.

Just a thought....

But yea, it is better to walk around a pile of s*it.

 

[sunnydayz]

Too bad you didn't have a pair of sunglasses with you to toss on in support of the gentleman. That show of support probably would have pissed her off more lol.

 

[clu]

Well, how old was she? If she is older, sunglasses were meant to be worn outside, not inside..

That could be her reasoning. but people have been wearing them inside stores since the 90's...

Compare that to wearing a hat while eating at a restaurant....

He did say "young woman"...

Plus even if that had been an older woman, it's still a leap from that to the usual racist refrains.

 

[felixthecat]

Too bad you didn't have a pair of sunglasses with you to toss on in support of the gentleman. That show of support probably would have pissed her off more lol.

That would be fine, though I don't see why a bigot should be allowed to play offense in this situation, if you decide to act.

It is a controlled environment. Maybe no physical danger and not warranting police involvement, but the store's security should be able to show the offender the door if summoned.

The last thing the store owners want is a youtube video of a racist rant on their premises.

 

[westwoody]

There were no signs re sunglasses, or any other mitigating factors.

The woman, in her late teens or early twenties, was an ignorant loudmouth asshole, period.

 

[ddcanz]

Why are we even debating the time and place for sunglasses at all?
Last time I looked around sunglasses are used as hairbands, as chin straps, as bald-man forehead and reverse skull visors, in nightclubs- fuck, they are a fashion accessory.
The woman was a cunt and should have been called out- no disrespect or judgment of our good friend WW intended.

 

[westwoody]

My main concern was not making the situation even more embarrassing for the east indian guys.

I have a big mouth once I get going and don't back down from any confrontations, so walking away was best.

 

[sevenofnine]

I don't think I would have made a big deal,
but I might have said something to the women, just between her and me, I dunno.

like come on, you make us all look bad, or show some class.
I have actually said that to a women real classy, eh,

you know I wouldn't mind being native American,

so I could tell everyone to go the fuck back to where they came from
I think that would be so funny.

or tell some people of color, there just a white black man, that is all you are.

I think you could be so cool being a native American. put everyone in there place

 

[BIGOZZIE]

I don't think I would have made a big deal,
but I might have said something to the women, just between her and me, I dunno.

like come on, you make us all look bad, or show some class.
I have actually said that to a women real classy, eh,

you know I wouldn't mind being native American,

so I could tell everyone to go the fuck back to where they came from
I think that would be so funny.

or tell some people of color, there just a white black man, that is all you are.

I think you could be so cool being a native American. put everyone in there place

Anyone born here is native.