Advice

[SemiCharmedQuark]

Last night, I took my husband to Walgreens to get his passport photos taken for his immigration documents (He's English). While they were being taken, I amused myself by looking at the school supplies. I was maybe about 10 feet away from them. I saw the clerk and my husband talking and then I saw the clerk say something and laugh and my husband turn white and look at me right away. So when the clerk left to print the photos, I asked Matt what happened. But he said he would tell me in the car. He looked very distressed.

So we pay for the photos and leave and here is what Matt said had happened:

He said the guy was being a little contrary about making sure the photos were taken correctly and had said something along the lines of "We know exactly what to do, Sir". So my husband replied "Well, Im just being cautious I don't want to be deported." To which this clerk replied "Oh yeah! Especially not with all those Mexicans!."

I was so angry when I heard that! Matt knew I would be, which is why he waited until we were in the car to tell me. I was going to call Walgreens and let them know what an asshole of an employee they have working for them, but I'm worried because it's the only store I can get prescriptions from (other than Wal-Mart). What do you think?

[RagingInMiami]

1. Oh man

Your husband must have that cool English temperament because I would have told him something right then and there. I would have said something like, "What exactly do you mean by 'those Mexicans'?"

You would have seen some tension and would have walked over, saying something like, "Honey, what's wrong?"

And I would have said, "Well this guy seems to have an issue with 'those Mexicans' and I guess he didn't take into consideration that I am married to a Mexican, which in a way, makes me Mexican.'

And I would be staring the guy down and he would be getting all nervous and I would ask again, "Well, what do you mean by those Mexicans?"

And no matter what he said, I would have made him apologize to you because I would have found it highly disrespectful. And if you disrespect my wife or my SO, you disrespect me. And trust me, you don't want to go there.

So if I were you, I would confront that guy next time I see him. I'm not one for calling and complaining about somebody. I usually like to deal with these issues directly at the source. I will make him think twice about uttering such racist bullshit to complete strangers.

But please keep in mind that I am a hothead who for the most part, is unable to let things go and who has been accused of handling things in a less than rational manner (must be one of my Latino traits).

So maybe I'm not the best person to seek advice from.

[EFerrari]

2. I'd go right to the manager and ask if it is the store's policy

to encourage discriminatory or racist remarks in their employees that interact with the public.

I'd confront it, every time. I can be a hothead but in general, the confrontation is more effective if it's done in the friendliest possible manner.

[demosincebirth]

7. I do not let it pass, either.

Using my credit card, may times they ask to see my ID and I sure as hell make sure they asked the person in front of me and the person, using a card, behind me.
A few times its an asian guy or gal who is the clerk and is selective (with me) with this process of asking for ID. I call them on it every time, and when i leave - they are standing there red-faced along with the supervisor.

Has this happened to anyone else? I'm sure it has.

[Cybergata]

3. My New Mexican Hispanic Family...

is made up of blonds & redheads with blue eyes. People say this crap to me because they look at my light hair, skin and blue/green eyes and don't have a clue who they are talking to. I always remain very silent as they talk, letting them put their foot deeper and deeper in their mouths. Then I politely blast them with facts, figures, emotions and shame on yous.

You know, I haven't run into this crap for the last 15 years or so, but it is coming back. I blame the whole brouhaha on immigration for this new out crop of racism. I also blame that small group of rich, white families like the Bushes who believe they are entitled to it all. They really fear the "browning" of the United States. I put coconuts like González in this category as well. You know, when the ship is sinking, and the life boat is too full, González would be the first they throw out of the row boat. ;-)

[EFerrari]

4. I hope Torquemada has a lifesaver. He's going to need it.

More seriously, the history of the modern Republican party (after the passage of the Civil Rights Act) is an appeal to racism.

That is what we are dealing with. And that appeal will only get more direct, imho.

I don't have anything like a solution, but simply updating expectation may be a good thing.

[Lost-in-FL]

5. Report his ass

IMO

[Cleita]

6. I would get your husband to write to Walgreen's

Head Office. He should write down exactly what the clerk said to him and ask why Walgreens doesn't have a program to address racism among their employees like the other large chain stores. He can also hint that if Walgreens doesn't consider this a problem that he will looking around for someplace else to do business.

It probably would be a good idea to talk to the manager of that store as well as others have mentioned

[judaspriestess]

8. the guy is earning what 6.50 an hour?

Let it go. He's just a victim of this admins red herring tactics. He may have kids to feed.

Its not so harsh, stupid yes but I'd just blow it off. I've heard way worse and I'm sure you have too.


mstexmex:)

[judaspriestess]

9. in other words, theres bigger fish to fry ^^^

[Brewman_Jax]

10. Just let it go?

just because he's a clerk? Remember, today's clerk can be tomorrow's assistant manager, or next week's general manager. He doesn't have to be fired, but the problem needs to be addressed. Racism and the racial caste system has nothing to do with the job title and well pre-dates this admin. Blowing it off does nothing.

[judaspriestess]

11. I've heard crazier shit than that said

You're head is going to explode if every little comment is going to piss you off. Advice was asked for and that is my advice. I will clarify........

Tell him you did not appreciate what he said and hopefully he does not do that again. The only way people will ever learn sensitivity is talking about it to them. If you tell management and he gets fired (save the he deserved it) then I don't see how that would make things better in the big picture. I think what he said was ignorant. I would personally take the opportunity to try to educate this person not persecute him.
I just don't agree with the level you want to take it too.

[Brewman_Jax]

13. I don't understand your objection

I don't think that it's a firing offense, and we don't know if the clerk would be fired. I just don't agree that it should be just blown off. Like you said, The only way people will ever learn sensitivity is talking about it to them. What level do you think that I want to take it too? :shrug:

[TriMetFan]

12. Hi every-one.

SemiCharmedQuark here is my advice, as a public employee. It doesn't matter if you are just standing and looking around or what ever, no-one has the right to make those kind of comments. You are a customer of Walgreen's and at this time there is no law that says we hispanics can't shop there. I bet if you were to go over there and were to tell the manager about this, this person would be in trouble. Don't let this kind of stuff to just go by, because this person is going to think that it is o.k. to act this way with the customers of Walgreen's.