Looked upon as a Thief in M&S today

Gingham_Ribbon

When I was about 18, I worked on the tills in Morrison's. I was told in my training to always try to have a look in pram hoods because lots of people use buggies to steal. I don't know if this was just 1 particular supervisor's tip after it happening once to her or loose company policy, but it made me really uncomfortable, so I didn't really do it.

Around the same time, I lived in a REALLY posh area above a shop in a really basic, damp flat. I was always clean but my clothes weren't typical of the area and I wore a thick man's coat because it was warm and cost £1 in a charity shop. I was really broke. It was murder going round the shops there as I would regularly get glared at by staff and followed round. But I think they just didn't want people like me in their lovely, bland area!

bonvonnie

but I was disgusted by how i was treated. I mean I go shopping regularly, and i mean regularly!!! and i have never in my life been treated like I was.

Even though, I am a happily married young mum of two, I do feel that people look down on me, as a single mum living on benefits.
but I walk with my head high, as I have nothing to hide. and i dress different to the single young mums living on benefits. (no offence to any single young mums on this website)

sooz

i know,

but still feel that i am always looked down on just for daring to go into a shop with a child, even though i regularly spend sooooooooo much money there.

or trying to get onto a bus in rush hour with a buggy, ooh i'm hated for that, trying to use a disabled/mummy baby toilet, parking [see whole other rant about that]

you just have to develop a thicker skin...

or not go back to that shop again, after complaining

Teerah

bonvonnie wrote:

I do feel that people look down on me, as a single mum living on benefits.
but I walk with my head high, as I have nothing to hide. and i dress different to the single young mums living on benefits. (no offence to any single young mums on this website)

I think you should be wary of this kind of prejudice, given that you clearly do not like being stereotyped yourself.

It sounds like you just encountered an unfortunate set of circumstances. I would let it go, after all you werent doing anything wrong

bonvonnie

i'm usually pretty chilled out and things dont bug me, but i still have the hate feeling of that experience.

I dont usually frequent that M&S anyways, as you have to pay parking to shop in Manchester City Centre, so I usually head to the Trafford Centre, FREE PARKING!!

Gingham_Ribbon

Best to let it go. You didn't do anything wrong and it doesn't sound like the staff did either. They're just doing their job. It probably won't be the last time it happens to you.

Also, if you had been a single mum on benefits, do you think they should have treated you any differently?

sooz

yes,...

free parking is wonderful, esp around london. don't stress about things that have happened that you cannot change, life is too short.

if another security guard should even come near you, ask in a loud voice to see the store manager, NOW.

no-one should be treated like that, but s##t happens.

bonvonnie

hmm, i guess so. but this thread was started in the Vent board, as I needed to have a rant!!!

i dont think they would have treated me differently, as they cant tell, whether I'm single, married or divorced!!

Gingham_Ribbon

SnowyOwl wrote:

The security guard obviously made you feel v.uncomfortable - I think you should tell M&S about it as they are supposed to be discrete, not make people angry.

This is true. If you FELT bothered by him, it's worth them knowing about it. If several women report the same thing, he might need to learn to be a bit more low key. Or be upfront.

sooz

bonvonnie wrote:

hmm, i guess so. but this thread was started in the Vent board, as I needed to have a rant!!!

i dont think they would have treated me differently, as they cant tell, whether I'm single, married or divorced!!

true, it's just you haven't caught me in rant mode this evening...

normally it's on, but little one is in bed, and i have a glass of wine.......