SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!


I don't get it. I mean, do people in this world really not only believe that is an acceptable term to use... but I mean in the context she used it.. what goes on in her head! That is ridiculous. And disgusting.

I wonder what she would have said to YOUR Jewish ass :)

What is wrong with people? ... some of them are assholes. This woman probably has some kind of story; mental illness, general warpage, raised by supremacists, who knows. Whatever it is, she's now an asshole.

I was kind of hoping she would come back while I was in the store, or try to make a complaint against my associate or something, if only to see what she would say. In the end, I'm glad she hasn't because I really don't need the drama.

So, apparently the question is not what is wrong with people? The question is, how do we stop people from being assholes?

I don't think I've come across that usage before, but I think I get it from context. It might be revolting, but mostly I think the customer has a poor grasp of language. This does not provide an excuse for out-of-line behavior. I would have escorted said person out as well.

I can only compare this to the use of the adverb "niggardly," which has nothing etymologically in common with what I assume to be the root of the word above. Some years ago it caused a flap in DC because somebody (a caucasian) used it in a public speech, and some ignorant people in the audience became upset at the non-existent insult.

It's the reverse of that line in Porky's where one character tries to insult a jewish character by calling him a "kite" and wonders where they can go fly him. The response is priceless: "It's not kite, it's KIKE! K-I-K-E, "kike." You know, you're too stupid to even be a good bigot!"

I hope the customer wasn't confused about her word choice, because that's just sad.

No, I can assure you that the customer was not accusing my associate of being stingy. She meant what she said in a completely racial way, incorrect usage or not. And while it is sad that the word she used is not actually a word, I find it much more upsetting to think about what she was trying to say. Good bigot or bad, a bigot is a bigot.

That was probably rude, but seems a little extreme to deny the person service over it. What if she said your employee was being a jackass or a prick?

Yes, in all likelihood I would have declined service had she used any name. I don't expect my employees to put up with rude, abusive behavior under the guise of customer service. Too many people get away with that crap and think they're allowed to treat associates like garbage because they're the customer. Name calling is unacceptable. Period. But there are names and there are names. I might, when talking with a friend about an unpleasant experience call someone a jackass. I would never call someone a nigger, ever. Not in conversation with a friend, not even in my head. It's a word that has a lot of power and a lot of history and social injustice in it and while it's never ok to scream names at someone, some names are worse than others and this is one of them.

My friend's mom owns a bridal shop in Cumberland, MD. Many years ago, some locals, in the middle of making a purchase, asked how Mrs. Brooks could allow "that kind" of person to try on her dresses (I honestly can't recall if they were referring to an African American woman, or a gay man--may have been two separate incidents with the same result--doesn't matter, really). Mrs. Brooks told the asshats to leave her store and never return. She's freakin' awesome!

I see unemployment has given you some time to peruse LJ and comment. hehe

Anyway, your friend's mom rocks and I salute her. The other day I was talking to a couple co-workers about what I would do if I owned a business and I was rhapsodizing about all the inane behavior I would not accept from customers and one of my co-workers laughed at me and said, "You'd open your business on Monday and have to close it by Wednesday!"

She's probably right.

Not necessarily. Mrs. Brooks told a woman she needed to go home, shower with soap, and use deodorant before coming back to the shop to try on dresses. You wouldn't think this would work. But it did. The woman actually ended up buying a wedding gown from her.

Of course, Mrs. Brook's bridal shop in Cumberland is one of the better shops in the area. And she's known for fair prices and good service, as long as you don't piss her off. ;-)

(And yes...I do have time, now. Beyotch!)