Providing Customer Service Is Racist

Me: “Hi, welcome in. What brings you in today?”

(The customer walks up to me with her hand in my face. I have never seen this woman before in my life.)

Customer: “Stop. Don’t do that! I don’t want anybody following me around the store! I just want to look! If I buy, I buy. Now, I am going to walk to the back, and I don’t want you going back there with me!”

Me: *confused* “Okay…”

(The customer backs away slowly, then heads to the back. I have not moved from my spot, and continue to face towards the door. Meanwhile, my manager sees the woman in clearance by herself a few minutes later.)

Manager: “Hi, ma’am. Do you need help finding anything?”

Customer: “I am so sick and tired of everyone following me around. That girl—” *pointing at me* “—has been following me around since I got here. And she keeps asking me unnecessary questions!”

(I have not moved from the front of the store.)

Manager: “Okay, ma’am. I’m sorry you feel that way. It is our job to provide you customer service and make sure you find everything you need.”

Customer: “I don’t want none of that! I’ve been to your other store, and they didn’t say a word to me! They left me alone the entire time! I come in here, and she talks to me and follows me around the store! And now you come talk to me! Y’all are racist! I just want to be left alone. What is your corporate number?”

(We got a corporate complaint the next day that our associates were asking her too many personal questions, and that we treated her differently because of her race.)