Do you get followed around stores by rent-a-cops?
By sharone74
@sharone74 (4837)
United States
October 13, 2007 1:33pm CST
I like to shop, both online and in person. When I shop in realtime though I buy too much stuff because when I go in a store and security is following me around as they do because I'm black, I feel like I am obligated to prove I have money and buy things in the store. They still follow me around but I find it amusing rather than annoying unless they become extra obtrusive. Then I go for the statement rather than showing him by example that "I could buy and sell you and you're job rent a cop!" I mean whenever I leave the house I am normally nicely dressed and I never go shopping without plenty of money on me so that when I see things that I like I can buy them. It's not like I am completely unknown to those a*&^%les, I live in a fairly small area so I shop in the same stores often. I just can't seem to shake the racial profiling thing in this town. (sigh) oh well there is always shopping online. But why should I have to hide at home and furtively buy things online just because they think that black people just come into their stores or into malls to steal things. I have never been a thief, never will be, I work for my money so I spend it. End of story.
2 people like this
4 responses
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
13 Oct 07
Yep all the time. It happens. I could be wearing causal or business causal and I'll still be followed. And yes, stores and companies should know that is one reason I'm buying more and more things online. (plus I get better deals)
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
14 Oct 07
Yes, so do I. And even when it is not exactly right or doesn't fit I very rarely return anything. I just like to shop for things like lingerie and clothing in person so that I can see if it is likely to fit me, and so that I can have it that day, which IS when I want the item, today!
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
13 Oct 07
No, I this dosnet happen to me. I guess you have to look supicious or maybe you fit some kind of profile for them to follow you.
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
14 Oct 07
Take a look at the photo next to my post. Do I look like I fit their "profile" other than the fact that I am black?
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
14 Oct 07
If I were you, I wouldn't buy extra stuff just to prove that you are justified in being in the store. You're a potential customer, and they should respect that.
I get followed around sometimes, but sometimes it's just because I'm the only one in the store. When I was a teenager, I often was followed around by a clerk or someone. I would ask them to reach stuff for me, or if they had other colours in stock, that sort of thing. It was convenient. I know I'm not a thief, and I feel no need to prove it to the entire world.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
13 Oct 07
I feel for you Sharone! I can understand your frustration, and it makes me squirm (because I'm so angry). My advise is.....Take pride in your skin color! Change your thinking around. Of course you have Money, and Of course you are Honest! Forget the statements to these guys. They are just doing what they are paid for. Following you around is their bread and butter. Smile at them, let them see this Good looking Black Chick being Honest in the store. You have the same rights that any person of any color has in this store. Take pride in that Knowledge and keep smiling.
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
14 Oct 07
I have always, and will always, be proud as can be of me! Not only of my skin color, and it's lovely texture, but also of who and what I am and what I am not. There is nothing in this world so valuable or desirous that it can make me into a thief because I have integrity. I just don't normally realize or think about the fact that I am black until someone points this out to me, or I am being persued by rent a cops who are all gung ho to take me down. I just wish that rather than following my black a$$ around they actually managed to do what they are paid for which is to prevent the loss of the stores merchandise. Which is what they are not about to do when they are following me around. Unless I happen to stroll past someone in the process of 5 fingering something. And they probably wouldn't even notice them because they are so busy watching my hiney.
