Okay, I went to a appointment for Harvard Vanguard in Wellesley( a rich white suburb) and as I was paying for my appointment with a check, this woman asked for my phone number on my check. I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF HARVARD FOR 10YEARS AND NO ONE HAS EVER ASKED ME FOR MY NUMBER! I HAVE NO BAD CREDIT AND A STABLE JOB AND ALWAYS PAY FOR MY APPOINTMENTS! I told her my check won't bounce and then she wanted me to sign a slip saying it wouldn't and I told her no. Then when I arrived at the office, I asked the receptionist for the bathroom, she asked me "WHY DO YOU NEED TO GO? DO YOU HAVE A APPOINTMENT HERE?". I say "of course I do". then she told me. After my appointment, I left my appointment and went into the store and I bought some chips and the guy say to me " ARE YOU GONNA PAY FOR THAT WITH FOOD STAMPS?" I was angry so I didn't even buy the chip. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THEM? I WENT OUT TO 5 SUBURBS AND THEY TREATED ME JUST LIKE THIS! I'M NOT SCARY, I'M NOT GANGSTA! WHAT IS THE DEAL?
2007-01-19 19:54:16 · 16 answers · asked by ¡El lobo del norte del fuego! 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
look, people, I just want a "HONEST" answer. I don't hate white people. I just want to know if they treated me different because it was a suburb or because of stereotypes!
2007-01-19 20:07:50 · update #1
IT was a slip for my PPO health insurance
2007-01-19 20:24:44 · update #2
WELLSLEY IN NOT IN SEATTLE! IT IS IN MA!
2007-01-19 20:26:31 · update #3
PEOPLE! I DON'T HAVE A MOHAWK! IT IS A AVATAR NOR A REAL PICTURE!
2007-01-19 22:03:48 · update #4
I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm not dark nor light-skinned, but for me, it's frustrating to have people judge me before they know me.
I'm afraid it's a big habit with people to generalize other people into groups so they can have a system of dealing with the people they meet. And what with statistics... argh, people take the "most likely" statistic as a 100-percenter, and then count it as nearly certain in the events they meet. That causes the "labelers" to go about wrongly assuming many things about the persons they meet, wreaking frustration and miscommunication.
Other than that, I think it was a real bad day for you. Take a nap, play a tune... keep ya chin up. Tomorrow will be a better day. I'm certain of it.
2007-01-19 20:05:00 · answer #1 · answered by Selena S 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you're overly sensitive and assume people are just being racist because they're white. I'm white and I always have to give my number, license number, etc when I use a check, even at places I frequent very often and even when people know me personally. Sometimes it's just company policy. I often have to sign a paper as well stating the check won't bounce. I don't think it has anything to do with my race. And some places ask me if I'm going to pay for food items with food stamps because if they're cash register is older, food stamp items have to be rung up separately because you're not taxed on them. If they were to ring you up like a cash sale then you'd be charged too much and then it would be a hassle to rectify it. Causing both you and the cashier a lot of trouble and wasted time. No need to be offended there. And the law of averages is if you're in a predominantly white neighborhood then you're more likely to encounter white service. Although there are some racists in all groups, not all whites are racist and are just people doing their jobs according to their company policies. Also do a little soul searching and acertain whether or not it is you with the racist attitude that causes you to percieve things in a negative way.
2007-01-20 12:23:26 · answer #2 · answered by 2D 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sorry...I may be wrong....but this sounds bogus.
quote your post.
I told her my check won't bounce and then she wanted me to sign a slip saying it wouldn't and I told her no.
Never heard of such a slip.
If you are going to bounce a check what difference is a signed slip going to make.
Also....I have worked out of places Like Labor Express and Labor Ready and have done work out of this place on and off since 1989
(I'm a ne'er do well )
http://www.millionairclub.org/
And the club sends people out to nice areas of Seattle.
Mercer Island(where Bill Gates lives) and other less prestigious but still very nice neighborhoods.
Even the BROTHERS.
If this stuff was commonplace in rich white neighborhoods I would have heard about it.
I am sitting in a large large room with about 60-70 guys.
About a third of them Black Guys.
Sometimes for only an hour.
Sometimes for the whole morning.
And I cannot recall ever hearing of incidents in rich white Seattle neighborhoods similar to the ones that you describe.
And don't you think I would have heard about it?
The Brothers ain't going to keep their mouths shut.
So....maybe it's more about Harvard.
2007-01-20 04:20:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've been wanting to ask this same question, but could not find a proper or more palatable way to ask it without coming off as a racist, victim, etc.
One guy commented that there had to be way more to the picture than what you have painted and I say to him: Sorry, this is a reality for us. I wish it weren't true.
It's gotten so bad that when I <
My only answer to your question, and consequently the only one I could give myself is: For many people, in general, one or a few bad apples spoil the bunch. We are forced through classism/racism to recognize the inherent unfairness of this theory, many whites have leisure to come to this conclusion on their own and when they're ready. The best we can do is to not make it any worse than it already is by indulging in the same sordid behavior. Stick with the good of any group you meet is the rule of thumb.
2007-01-20 06:44:10 · answer #4 · answered by miss_ursie_la 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm white and I think it's pretty standard practice for people to ask for phone numbers with checks, so I'm not so sure that was a racial thing. The food stamps question might have been, but you can't be sure unless you observe that store more; it could just be that they ask everyone that question. If you spend so much time going to Harvard Vanguard, it seems like something like this would have happened before now. It could just have been a fluke. I'm sorry.
2007-01-20 15:42:08 · answer #5 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not all white people are like that. My mother raised me to never judge people by the outside only by the inside. And I teach my kids the same. I feel everyone on this earth are equal. My husband was raised differently. every now and then we get into some arguments about this and he just doesn't get it. When he was growing up he heard different things than I did and that is all he knows. I am white and I think the white people are the most rudest people on this earth. Even to other whites they think that their Sh*t don't stink. Not getting into that. But just to let you know not all of us are like that. Maybe you need to move from the area. But I hope you have better luck with this. As for what those others said to you that was wrong and they will get what is coming to them. God will make sure of that!!! Best of Luck!
2007-01-20 04:12:32 · answer #6 · answered by Wendy 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like you've run into a lot of ill-mannered people. Civility seems to be going down the drain rapidly from what I've been reading lately. There's no excuse for that guy asking if you were going to pay for your chips with food stamps! I'm sorry that you were subjected to that.
2007-01-20 04:05:23 · answer #7 · answered by curious 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
People act this way no matter the color. We as whites feel this way also. I think that people should get off this race kick, you are the person you choose to be regardless of race.
People need to realize that just because a few people of one race treat you bad does not mean we are all that way.
I for one treat people the way they treat me!
2007-01-20 04:44:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully people will change... the younger generations are already changing... not all people are like this... unfortunately we still live in a country where people are treated like this... try not to let those people get to you... there are nice people out there...
Next time someone asks you something they shouldn't, look them in the eye and ask them "why are you asking me that?" or "do you ask everybody that?" and see what they say... chances are they won't have an answer....
2007-01-20 04:03:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sorry you felt this way. Some people could be use to this situation so they just say it they don't really think but yea I thnk some people are so smug and they love to say things like that but you know if you want to say something about it to them do so just say why or just say something sarcastically (but not about them but related to what they said) back to them I mean honestly they wont know what to say but they may get the hint. Don't think too much about it honestly it aint worth it just be happy and if they just a trying to be jerks then that is their problem.
2007-01-20 04:02:16 · answer #10 · answered by Apple 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋