The Scariest People This Halloween Aren’t The Ones In Costume
It is late October in our large retail store. One of my coworkers at the checkout is a Muslim woman, and she wears a headscarf as part of her religion. She is a white woman, or very white-passing. She is serving another white woman customer.
Customer: “Is this some kind of Halloween thing?”
Coworker: “Is what, ma’am?”
Customer: “The head thing? You dressing up as a terrorist for Halloween?”
Coworker: “This is part of my religion, ma’am.”
Customer: “But you’re white!”
My coworker has pressed the silent button to call over a manager, who has just arrived. Our manager is a dark-skinned woman.
Manager: “Is everything okay over here?”
Customer: “I guess you’re a Muslim, too?”
Manager: “I’m under no obligation to tell you that, ma’am, but I am happy to tell you that I am an atheist.”
Customer: “Well… I guess no God is better than a false God.”
Manager: *Putting two and two together* “Ma’am, please leave.”
Customer: “What?! Why?”
Manager: “Our staff are offered a hate-free environment when they work for [Store], and that includes freedom to practise their religion. Please take your bigoted views elsewhere.”
Customer: “What?! I can’t be a bigot! I’m a Christian!”
Question of the Week
Have you ever served a bad customer who got what they deserved?
