tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30342137.post6097440620905206528..comments2023-03-22T09:46:29.951-04:00Comments on Simply Sarah: Was it a race thing?Sarah Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300670655882950476noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30342137.post-30558855999445595482009-11-16T09:42:38.726-05:002009-11-16T09:42:38.726-05:00I agree with the thought that it might have been b...I agree with the thought that it might have been because he thought you looked trustworthy--and yes, maybe the fact that you're white does play into it if he knows that a lot of the coupon fraud in his store has been occurring with some of the black shoppers. It's a hard line to know when to speak, but I do like Meg's comment about saying you don't want to go against policy. That way you can make it clear that you don't want any preferential treatment without actually having to bring race into it (in case that's not actually the issue).Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13677010442934664757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30342137.post-2853139289287798192009-11-15T19:39:06.398-05:002009-11-15T19:39:06.398-05:00I love how thoroughly you presented this situation...I love how thoroughly you presented this situation! Sometimes I'm guilty of not dwelling on things enough because it's too much hassle. I love your honesty, Sarah!<br /><br />Do you know the coupon policy? If it's to take printable coupons then the solution is educating all shoppers (and employees) on the policy so that everyone gets the same benefit. Honestly, I think the only thing you could have said was, "oh, I don't want to go against the policy" or something like that to make it clear that you want to follow the rules like everyone else. <br /><br />It sounds to me as if the employees/management just aren't clear on their own policy and apply it selectively. If the manager was "profiling" you, he wasn't doing a very good job of it as most people who commit coupon fraud are middle-class white women!!megs92https://www.blogger.com/profile/02445533811690208486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30342137.post-86773267593369371052009-11-15T11:15:02.878-05:002009-11-15T11:15:02.878-05:00Thanks for your feedback.
It's an independent...Thanks for your feedback.<br /><br />It's an independent store (we don't have any of the big chains in the city). The printed coupons scan in the register system. The concern that a lot of stores have (including the big box stores) is that the coupons could be photocopied and they can't tell the difference between the originals and copies because they're all printed. <br /><br />Each individual coupon has its own code, but they would still be easy enough to use fraudulently. He did have to make a judgment about it on the spot and it may be that I looked "trustworthy," which would be based on lots of things, including my race, but also the way I was dressed, the look on my face, etc. <br /><br />I don't shop there very often - maybe once every month or two. But I do recognize several of the cashiers when I come in, so it's possible he recognized me. <br /><br />The other factor here is that the owners of these independent grocery and corner stores are known for being racist. That doesn't mean they all are, but the perception is definitely there and there is a tendency towards prejudicial treatment. <br /><br />There's enough complexity that it's tough to make a judgment about what happened. But that's just life, isn't it?!Sarah Halterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06300670655882950476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30342137.post-32958924389370292892009-11-15T00:14:24.693-05:002009-11-15T00:14:24.693-05:00I'm not so sure it was a "race thing"...I'm not so sure it was a "race thing", either. That really depends on how bad you see the problem being in your area. Is it a store you usually shop at? Was it a chain store? Like the smaller ones here. (Pic-Pac, Meltons, Dolls) I guess if it were a smaller operation, then they might not be set up to take the ones you print yourself. <br /><br />If racism is a problem in your neighborhood, then it would seem unfair for you to be treated differently just because of the color of your skin. If you think it was a problem, maybe it is something you could investigate. If it is, then it might just be that ther needs to be some education regarding the availability of those coupons. Could be a teaching moment for you!<br /><br />Then again, it could be that the guy saw your guardian angel standing over your shoulder and knew that he could trust you!Sister Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00333082558330836326noreply@blogger.com