Bigotry Can Take The Express Lane Out Of Here

(The store where I work has a designated checkout lane as the express lane, though we aren’t usually strict about it, and I’ve never heard anyone loudly complain when someone else comes through with more than six items. I’m currently helping a couple of customers who both sound foreign but speak English; they have many more than six items. This happens while we’re waiting for a number so I can ring up one of the items.)

Next Customer: “Are you able to read English? Can’t you tell this is six items or less?” *gestures towards my register light*

Me: “Americans have come through here with more than six items.”

Next Customer: “What does that have to do with anything?”

Me: “Don’t pick on them just because they sound foreign.”

(The next customer scoffed at me, but otherwise didn’t say anything more about it.)