"Man. Just take my money and shut the f*** up. " Mon Sep-21-15 10:22 AM by double negative
Went to the wine store last night in a different hood.
I was third in line. I had my bottles, I was on the way to dinner with folks. Dude at the register was plain and cordial with each person in front of me (thank you for your business! have a wonderful evening!), but when he got to me he immediately tried to be down on some "What up B! How you living?" (think Micheal Rapaport going from accent to blaccent)
Some other telling things happened during the transaction, but this part of the whole interaction gives me a bit of pause.
I have no problem with someone being "down" but I do have a problem with someone dropping into total informality just because of my skin color.
Even if dude was black I would still have a moment where I would think to myself "you don't know me, how you just going to assume we cousins already?"
Most of the time a smart employee will feel things out before just going into some "he might like this shit" areas of rapport. I say this as someone who has a ton of retail experience in my work history.
You feel this or nah?
oh yeah,
potential possibility #1; maybe dude was from around the way and was just being himself
potential possibility #2; this is NY, dude coulda been all sorts of high yellow/white Carribean
1. "What up B! How you living?"..lmao..damn" In response to Reply # 0
>Went to the wine store last night in a different hood. > >I was third in line. I had my bottles, I was on the way to >dinner with folks. Dude at the register was plain and cordial >with each person in front of me (thank you for your business! >have a wonderful evening!), but when he got to me he >immediately tried to be down on some "What up B! How you >living?" (think Micheal Rapaport going from accent to >blaccent) > >Some other telling things happened during the transaction, but >this part of the whole interaction gives me a bit of pause. > >I have no problem with someone being "down" but I do have a >problem with someone dropping into total informality just >because of my skin color. > >Even if dude was black I would still have a moment where I >would think to myself "you don't know me, how you just going >to assume we cousins already?" > >Most of the time a smart employee will feel things out before >just going into some "he might like this shit" areas of >rapport. I say this as someone who has a ton of retail >experience in my work history. > > >You feel this or nah? > > > >oh yeah, > >potential possibility #1; maybe dude was from around the way >and was just being himself > >potential possibility #2; this is NY, dude coulda been all >sorts of high yellow/white Carribean > >
in that i'm ok with it about 5% of the time. I had old co-worker that was a country boy and saying "I hear you brother" was a part of his whole energy/vibe/vernacular
4. "Definitely plucks my nerves." In response to Reply # 0
On the other side of the coin, POC customers who act differently in the presence of my non-black staff (regardless of whether or not they realize I'm management) REALLY pluck my nerves.
13. "Folks who approach one of my white female sales associates..." In response to Reply # 5
... and politely or tersely ask for assistance before going on their way vs. asking me for a hook up and discount, or exclaiming (usually loudly) how expensive something is, or just shooting the shit like we're at the reunion instead of my professional workplace...
6. "75% of our brethren & sisteren eat that shit up though...so...yeah..." In response to Reply # 0
It still gets my goat though...
But I think i'm MORE offended and pissed at it when it's a brother or sister cashier and they go straight informal & unprofessional with me after they yucked it up to the 5 white folks that preceded me....I'm good for calling them out on it too.
7. "oh shit. you call them out?! " In response to Reply # 6
damn.
well, actually, maybe when i was in my early early 20s I was called out for doing that to a black professional (doctor?) when I was on the retail floor
8. "this is especially true" In response to Reply # 0
at car dealerships. they try to be your friend on some 'we from the streets mayne'. I had to tell my cousin to be careful of those type salesman cuz this is a business transaction, not a budding friendship.
Seems like you wasn't in the mood for idle chit chat. I think we all been there. But, I would rather have someone do what ol boy did to you while ringing up my shit than to have these same conversations with other people while waiting 3+ deep in line. I am sure he meant no harm, but then again, I don't know what his reasoning for taking to you like he did. Maybe next time, there will be another cashier who will not chit chat. Just hope this person will be courteous and respectful.
24. "I'm walking in my neighborhood/Jewish kid lemonade stand" In response to Reply # 0 Mon Sep-21-15 12:23 PM by ThaAnthology
Ok so I'm walking in my neighborhood a month ago. I see a lemonade stand. Happy lil Jewish girls tending to it. I don't want any lemonade, but I support the kids. So I walk up ans this blonde girl gives me like a "bro-man" head nod and greets me with a "what up yo."
I immediately side-eye her real big. I greet her with "Well how are you all today? Very well I trust."
She kinda stared at me. Her friend picked up on it though and was like "We are well sir, and yourself."
We proceeded to speak professionally while I slapped my $2 donation on the table. Then blondy goes "peace out!" and I say. "You have a great day, and take care."
"You too!"
"Indeed."
I don't do the slang shyt with the brothers... how you gone get me doing that with you? Make me my lemonade and kick rocks lol.
that's how Ispeak on a daily basis I promise. My son speak similarly because I won't allow for lazy speech in my house. My mom raised me like that and it was a great thing, so I am doing the same. What's so wrong with speaking English?
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