Explaining It In Black And White, And Red And Blue

I’m a flight attendant. I stopped by Target after getting in from a redeye flight in full uniform. It was navy. I had on my ID badge, my scarf, tights, and sweater. I’d left LA the previous night at 11 PM and landed in NYC around 8 AM the next morning. All I wanted to do was sleep, but I needed something to eat for dinner because I knew that my fridge was empty and I’d be going to sleep as soon as I made it home.

A customer stopped me while I was speed walking through the store, and the interaction went like this:

Customer: “Hey, I need help in electronics.”

Me: “I don’t work here.”

Customer: “Do not lie to me!”

Me: “I’m not lying, I don’t work here.”

Customer: *Yelling.* “You’re wearing a f****** uniform. Of course you work here.”

I look down at my outfit and then up at him.

Me: “Does this look like a Target uniform? I’m a flight attendant.”

Customer: “You should know better than to come shopping in a uniform. What, are you trying to trick people?”

Me: “I’m wearing blue, they wear red. No one with any sense would be confused.”

Then I walked away irritated and confused.