As any of you who know me are aware, I have been sucked back into the hell that is working retail.
To better understand the environment that I call "the workplace," let's do a little math:
(Shelves and Shelves of Brand Name shoes, all of which are out on the floor) + ("Bad Neighborhood") = an annoying need to babysit potential thieves and make sure they are not taking what is rightfully ours.
Basically, I live in an area that is not exactly known for its generous, law-abiding citizens, and the most stressful (and most time consuming) part of my job is Loss Prevention.
You can always tell who's trying to steal. They're shifty, jittery, speak quickly, and are always looking to make sure no one's around.
There are never smart thieves; at least not where I work.
They might as well wear T-Shirts that say "FOLLOW ME. I AM GOING TO STEAL."
It's not a surprise that I do follow them. If they're asking, why shouldn't I?
I am not afraid to be obnoxious about following a potential thief around my store. I'm not afraid for them to know I'm watching them. I've been followed around a few stores here and there (like Claires... because a 19 year old shouldn't shop there) and it doesn't bother me because I know that I'm not doing anything wrong. You can always tell when it bothers someone. And why. (I've never been asked by a true paying customer why I'm following them around.)
Normally, those thieves are swayed by the fact that someone is constantly going to be watching them. They leave without saying a word and without trying on one pair of shoes.
But sometimes, you get the ones who are so appalled that they can't get away with free shoes that they let you know:
"You're only following me because I'm black," says the little girl with the pink backpack, who I have on camera stealing a few days before.
"You're only following me because I'm black," say the six teenagers who spread out throughout the store with giant purses and sweatshirts, one of whom has a pair of size 10.5's in his coat.
"You're only following me because I'm black," says the man with two teeth who I've seen begging on the street corner and has his picture posted in the store next door as a "repeat offender."
From this blog, you may think that I only watch black people. Hell, the way those thieves act, you'd think I only watch black people.
But I am here to tell you, potential thieves, that you are not worth my time simply because of the way you look.
Hundreds of people of all different races, sexes, genders, ethnicities, and cultures come in and out of my store every day. Some of them are black. Some of them are Samoan. Some are white, some are Mexican, some are Russian, some are Chinese, and most, you don't care to notice because we are in America and it does not matter what race, creed, or nationality you are.
Out of those hundreds of people, about ten or twenty are going to try to steal. Those ten or twenty can be black. They can also be Samoan, white, mexican, Russian, Chinese, or who cares what else.
I don't choose to watch you based on what you look like. It may be a combination of how you dress and how you act, so yes, I must stereotype you just a little. But it has nothing to do with what color your skin is. Or what color your hair is, or that you have nine piercings in your face (because yes, I have heard "it's because I'm different" from people who wear all black and die their hair an outrageous color).
Moral: anyone can be watched, no matter what they look like. I could care less what you look like when you walk into my store. That is not what tips me off.
I'm tipped off when you go straight for a pair of shoes, grab the box, start carrying it around without trying it on, and grab random things here and there to look like you're "shopping." I'm tipped off when you duck behind a bin and when I walk down that aisle you go to the next one. I'm tipped off when you where your T-Shirt that says "FOLLOW ME. I AM GOING TO STEAL."
Realize, thieves, that you are the reason -isms exists. "it's because I'm poor-looking" or "it's because I'm black" or "it's because my hair is green" are only ways to segregate and discriminate yourselves even more.
Stop thinking that everyone has time for you simply because of the way you look, and maybe these -isms can start disappearing.
It starts with you, potential thieves.
A good post! My partner worked at a Barnes and Noble that was one block from a Half Price Books (HPB buys "used" books), and the stories she has are hilarious! People have walked out of her store with a stack of books so high they couldn't see over them. Because B and N wants to maintain an erudite atmosphere, they have a non-confrontational policy for theives. Basically, you ask them nicely to stop, and if they don't, you watch them walk over to HPB and sell $300 worth of new books!
But I have to say that black people ARE watched more closely in stores. It's not really a valid complaint when they're holding stolen merchandise, though!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Maybe it's different in my store....
I don't know. I live in a "minority" neighborhood that's really even as far as how many people of each race are there. The playing field is also pretty even... here, minority race does not make you ghetto... the ghetto makes you ghetto.
I see where you're coming from when you say that black people may be watched more, but I don't think it's skin tone that does that... it's an attitude. Not all black people are thugs just like not all white people are meth/crack heads and not all Mexicans are illegal (these are the stereotypes most prominent here, so that's why I bring them up).
Sigh. We have a "non-confrontational" policy as well, but I still don't let anyone get away with my shoes.
"Let me get the box for those so you can pay for them. No? Security is right outside, and I believe he's talking to our police officer. Want to pay for them?" haha they almost always take the shoes off or take them out of their coat. The only ones that get away are ones that I don't have time for or sneak away while I'm with another customer.
I should be fired.
But at least we don't lose those shoes :D
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
I have an African American classmate who has two master's degrees and is finishing a PhD, she has perfect academic grammar, dresses professionally, and STILL gets watched more at stores than I do. I've seen it. Even when I'm the one with a back pack and she has nowhere to hide anything.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Wow, that's really ridiculous :-(
I'm very sorry to hear that.
So now we have another reason for racism... the stupid people who incite it and those who go along with it (like the people watching your friend).
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
I also feel that black people are watched more in stores, and when I say this I am speaking directly from personal experience. But my white friends are usually the ones doing the stealing, although the clerk never notices them because they are too busy following me.
Liv Life Your Way
Eh...
If your white friends are doing the stealing while you're with them, you're just as responsible. The clerks are idiots if they aren't watching all of you...
No offense, but if you're with people who are stealing and you know they're doing it, you're not exactly the ideal customer. I'd be watching you, too, right after I sent my Sales Associates to watch your friends.
And no, it wouldn't be because you're black. It would be because your friends are stealing.
That may not be the case for the people who are following you around, but it sounds like they're idiots anyway if they're not catching your friends because they're too busy paying attention to your race.
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Your Tongue is a Rudder; It Steers the Whole Ship, Sends Your Words Past Your Lips or Keeps Them Safe Behind Your Teeth... [Brand New]
Wait....are you serious?
That's the stupidest policy I've ever heard of.
Even I would become a thief if it were that easy.
(But instead of selling them, I would probably just read them all.
...ok...ok...THEN I would sell them.)
The Writer~
...a nerdy Robin Hood! Steal from the rich...to read!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I've been called worse =]
~The Writer~
It's still NOT right! I cant even tell you my thoughts because i'm so ticked off by this post! Grow up and stop being racist!
Can you explain what the hell you're talking about instead of coming here and insulting me?
I'm telling you that there is no reason to watch anyone based on their race, and the idiot teenagers who say "it's because of my race" are the ones who keep racism alive.
Kind of like how you're doing.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
Be civil. Calling someone racist after you didn't comprehend the post is uncalled for and will not be tolerated in the future.
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~Fallon~
“What is insanity, anyway? Is it when you scream and everyone else whispers, or is it when you fight for what's right, even when everyone else thinks your wrong?” Ethergoth
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They're THEIVES. Of course they're going to use the race card, or the "you only stopped me because of my stereotype" accusation.
I don't think this was a racist post at all.
Loss Prevention sounds like a tough job, expecially when all the people you suspect throw accusations your way.
It's a tough job, but it's exhilarating. Catching someone in the act is a great, heart racing experience... especially when they know you know. :-) (I know, I know, that's horrible of me, lol)
The thing I think is going to be a misconception with this post is that I'm only talking about black people or that I'm only watching black people.
The whole point to this is that I'm not, and that the only reason these stereotypes exist are because stupid kids (and sometimes adults) who pull the "race card." (Or the hair dyed card, or the make-up and piercings card, or the drug-use card [lol])
Sigh.
Thanks for understanding what I was getting at.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
And I agreed with it to the extent that if you are stealing or acting suspicious, you are going to be watched. The only point I take issue with is where you say that racial profiling doesn't happen. It does. In saying that, I'm not saying YOU are doing it; I'm just saying that it exists.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I hadn't seen your reply to my above comment yet, which makes the above comment redundant. Sorry.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Heh, it's okay.
I know what you're saying. I just don't see it (at least as much) here where I live. Or at least in the store I work at.
I think who gets stereotyped the most depends on where you live.
When I work at my store, there's a big mix of types of people and stereotypes; you can't focus on just one. But when i work at the same shoe store in the mall a few miles away, it's a completely different atmosphere; I'm told to watch out for the "Mall Rats," those fourteen year olds who spend all day at the mall chain smoking and stealing stupid little things that aren't worth anything.
We all stereotype in one way or another. But acknowledging it the way people do ["it's because I'm ______"] only makes it worse.
Basically, I agree with you, lol.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
That's funny. I used to work in retail also! And I loved catching them in the act!!!! Honestly, and I'm not being racist (and I have to watch everyone, it's a requirement where i work) but I've only caught 1 black person where I work steal something from me (he forgot his CDs at the front desk...haha so he had to come back after he stole the shoes) and the rest were Mexicans! i've caught so many switching tags from sale items to non sale items and things like that. Now, I don't have a problem with skin tone, but I truly think that, at least where I live, almost every mexican that I've met has been trash!! Don't get me wrong, one of my best friends is Mexican, it's just it seems in my state the majority of them are disgusting! There are a lot of white people that are disgusting, and a lot of black people. The point is, I understand where you're coming from. I don't care what color they are, the could be purple for all I care! But especially when they use that term "you're only following me because I'm black" would drive me insane!!! History is history. They need to let it go. We're living in a new generation and we're trying to put racism aside, but I feel that these people who say stupid stuff like that isn't helping at all! Personally I feel that mexicans are becomeing majority. There is no way that they are a minority. Heck, my mother couldn't even get health coverage before the illegal immigrants!! (that's not jsut mexican) I mean, we were born here. I feel that the government needs to take care of our own people first before we try to help others. sorry I got sidetracked.....I can get very heated when I think about that!
I see what you are saying. This was a funny post, it was also informative without being dry (Which I hate!)
I don't think you were being rasist at all. I understand what you were trying to say. I don't have to deal with much of that, but I know a few thieves, and the only ones that don't get caught are the ones that don't look like jack***es. I'm not saying that's a good thing, but it is very true that you can tell when someone is going to steal.
I did get followed in a shoe store once, which I found odd. I have no stereotypes to use (I wasn't even a teen at the time), and I was with my mom. (Usually it's teens all in a group that get followed). I guess my mum must have looked like a thief or something, haha.
I get followed a lot, but it's only when I'm in shoe stores (because I know my way around a shoe store and know the difference between a cross-trainer and a runner, so I can go directly where I need to go) or in stores like Claires or KB toys (which aren't for me, but I love all that foofoo stuff and toys! lol)
Honestly, when I am followed in those shoe stores, I kind of chuckle (because I know I'm not there to steal anything), but I let the guards or employees do their jobs. And I go along with my business.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
I absolutely hate it when people try to make you feel low by accusing you of racism, just because you are putting justice down on someone who is a different skin color than you are. It happens a lot, and it is dispicable.
No, it is NOT because you are a different race. It is because you are doing something wrong!
Well, I guess that settles it: You're a bigger racist than I am. :-P
Nicholas Aden
Self-Promotion
My Creative Writing
Exactly the point I was trying to get at :idk:
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
Okay... why did you go back to retail?! I haven't talked to you in... days and days!
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~Fallon~
“What is insanity, anyway? Is it when you scream and everyone else whispers, or is it when you fight for what's right, even when everyone else thinks your wrong?” Ethergoth
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I know, I miss you guys so much! It's like i never get to see you! :'((
My other job was awesome, but I only got like 25 hours a week, and I didn't have benefits. (Poor me can't go to the doctor or the dentist when I'm feeling yucky!)
My old job at the shoe store called me out of the blue one day so desperate to have me back that they offered me a 3 dollar raise from my old job (which was about 7 dollars above what I used to make @ the shoe store), full benefits, vacation and sick time, ad at least 35 hours a week.
I'm a lot busier, but if I need a day off, I can have it (I couldn't do that before) and if my tooth falls out, I can fix it. Oh, and it's a lot easier to pay bills, lol.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
Aww. I miss you too.
Congrats on the new job!!!!!
Awesome on the benefits! When I worked at the hospital, I didn't qualify for insurance because I was listed as a PRN employee, which totally sucked because I worked full time hours more often than not (and they wanted me to work 2 additional 12 hour shifts after the 36 I was working), so we did insurance through hubby. And holy hell, that was expensive! Now his new job pays all of his insurance and such from day one and I pay like 30.00 a month for mine through my new job. So much nicer than nearly 300.00 a month :D Having insurance and not going broke to pay for it is wunnerful lol
Are you still working the other job some too or just this one now? Do you have better hours like time of day wise?
I'll hunt you down on YIM eventually to harass you. :D In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying the new job!
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~Fallon~
“What is insanity, anyway? Is it when you scream and everyone else whispers, or is it when you fight for what's right, even when everyone else thinks your wrong?” Ethergoth
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lol I'm not sure that I'm completely enjoying it.... it's a lot more work than sitting at a desk being nice to people, lol.
The hours are sort of nicer... I get to work more because I can work weekends, and I get off at 9:15 or 9:30 instead of 10:30, and it's a lot closer to my house... so before, I was getting home at 11 and having to wake up the next day for school, but now I get home at 9:20 or 9:35.
I'm not working my other job anymore. I wish I could, I loved it there, but on top of the shoe store, school, homework, and ProU, it's an impossibility. :)
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
I cant believe you went from serious discussion about racism to an idle talk about jobs. I love this site. : )
It happens with astonishing regularity around here. It keeps things interesting :D
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~Fallon~
“What is insanity, anyway? Is it when you scream and everyone else whispers, or is it when you fight for what's right, even when everyone else thinks your wrong?” Ethergoth
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Interesting? What are you talking about?
We're boring.
:dances:
... oooh! Let's DANCE!
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You are the Voice of the Childwen of the Revowution! [Toulouse, Moulin Rouge]
Dancing would be more fun if someone would make me a disco emoticon.
Ohh speaking of which... have you ever just wanted to jump up in the middle of a movie and start disco dancing for the 'ell of it? Hubby and I went to see Bucket List last night and somewhere mid movie for no reason I just wanted to get up and start doing the disco finger thing (wtf is that called anyway)? At any rate, hubby wouldn't let me do it.. but I've never seen anyone get up and start dancing for no reason during a movie. Is it just me that has those urges?!
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~Fallon~
“What is insanity, anyway? Is it when you scream and everyone else whispers, or is it when you fight for what's right, even when everyone else thinks your wrong?” Ethergoth
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:)X
Every time my preschoolers watch a movie they all try to jump up and dance during the credits. Does that count?
"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible."
There is one store in our mall that every time I walk in, I am followed. Does it offend? Of course it does and I have said to myself a couple of times that the clerk is following me because I am black. Honestly I have not found any other reason for them too; My styling of clothes is generally preppy, I have never stolen there before or at any other store for that matter. So Why.
I am just curious to know what about someone gives you the hint that they might be a potential thief?
Also out of all those people you have followed, have the majority of them been black or Hispanic.
Liv Life Your Way
"There is one store in our mall that every time I walk in, I am followed. Does it offend? Of course it does and I have said to myself a couple of times that the clerk is following me because I am black. Honestly I have not found any other reason for them too; My styling of clothes is generally preppy, I have never stolen there before or at any other store for that matter. So Why."
In your case, I think you have the right to be offended. If you honestly aren't doing anything to make someone think you're going to steal (or do something else wrong; stealing isn't the only thing. I also follow super obnoxiously messy people so they don't make as much of a mess), then the employees of that particular store might be profiling for the wrong reasons (skin color).
"I am just curious to know what about someone gives you the hint that they might be a potential thief?"
The hints for a potential thief are never subtle at my store. It's mostly a body language thing:
-people looking around and watching to see if you're watching... most of the time, I'm not watching those people until I realize they look up at me every five seconds (even when they don't want help).
-people who will not allow themselves to be in an employees vicinity. For example, if I have to put a shoe back in the third aisle and you leave the third aisle wen I get there, and then leave the next aisle that you're in when I walk past it, I'm probably going to watch you a little more closely. It's not coincidence after two or three times.
-People who come in groups of three or more and ask ridiculous questions to keep me busy are usually watched. This is usually kids... they come in big groups and keep asking "do you have this in a size __? How 'bout a __? Do you have it in this color? Can you check in the back? Can you check for me anyway?" they aren't genuine questions, and if you're there, you can tell they aren't genuine questions.
-people who, like I said in my post, grab everything they see (accessories, shoes without checking the size on the box) are usually going to do a grab and run or try to write a bad check or use a bad credit card. They have no regard to what they're grabbing, just that they don't have to pay for it.
There are lots of other things that are hints to thieves. Of course, there are always exceptions. Not everyone who asks a lot of questions is a thief. Not everyone who skips aisle to aisle is trying to avoid me. Not everyone who is in a hurry and grabs things quickly is going to run off with the merchandise. But generally, these are the cases, and I don't take any chances.
Honestly, we watch everyone. When we greet, we look down at people's shoes (and look at them again when they leave). Everyone. Some people just need to be watched more closely than others.
I may have mislead you about how obnoxious I can be to those that I know are going to steal. I'm not obnoxious unless I know you've stolen from us before or I saw you take something or try to take something.
"Also out of all those people you have followed, have the majority of them been black or Hispanic."
Like I said (either in the post or a comment, I can't remember), there is a huge, diverse mix of people where I live. If I watched one race more than another, I'd tell you. I'd be honest.
But I don't. Our thieves are white, black, Islander, Asian, Hispanic, you name it. It truly is body language that we watch out for at my store. It really is the way you behave and they way you talk to us.
I did say that we do stereotype in a way... we stereotype your body language. If you have that body language, it is not an absolute that you're going to steal; there's just a really good chance of it.
We don't take that chance.
On that note, I'm sorry if you've been discriminated against for the wrong reasons, as it seems you are at that store in the mall.
No one deserves to be profiled based on their race. I hope that things start looking up for you there. Those clerks need a reality check.
Sorry for the long comment... hope it clarified a few things. :-h
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
Alright thank you, now i can better understand where you are coming.
Liv Life Your Way
Alicia!
How dare you follow people for wearing t-shirts that say "FOLLOW ME. I AM GOING TO STEAL." That's so prejudiced!
8-}
"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible."
I can't help it. I'm a prejudiced pig. :)X
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
I always knew you were a racist. It started the day I met you...
Didn't you comment in my Jena 6 blog about how those black kids deserved what they got cuz they're black?
... oh wait, no that was me... I'm apparently the racist in THAT particular blog.
wow engkatiemarie, if i didn't know that was a joke i would find that extremely offensive. Oh wait, i do find it a little offensive.
Liv Life Your Way
Good thing it wasn't directed towards you.
I apologize if you feel this way. It was meant to mock those who were being racist, and caused the explosion of said incident unnecessarily. Sometimes I am not very good at wording things... : /
There were several people who accused me of being racist because I wrote that blog; even though if you read it I was trying to show that the Jena 6 incident was a blemish on the black community and did not represent Civil Rights in the least. It was a political manipulation of the likes of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to use the black community and make them look foolish in their support of teenage criminals against more teenage criminals, regardless of race. Both were in the wrong, and neither should have made the national news.
http://www.progressiveu.org/103818-i-do-not-support-the-jena-6
I really enjoyed reading your post. And I think I know what you're talking about. There are many people out there that take advantage of racism to justify their action or try to make yours unjustified. And it's so unfair!
AgehA