So, I'm on exterior patrol when I see a 'Gentleman' standing outside Entrance 'A'. Entrance A opens into the busiest part of the mall and is used the most, and as such has non-smoking signs posted every 10 feet or so for 50 feet on either side of the doors. Otherwise, people gather under the awning and smoke drifts all the way into the mall; the smokers also block the doors. It was overcast that day, but not raining at the moment.
I stopped and said "Excuse me sir, could you move about 50 feet to 'that' side or 'that' side? This is actually a non-smoking area and..."
He started yelling "Hey, there's cigarette butts ALL OVER the ground here! How did I know I couldn't smoke here?!"
I said "Well, there's a sign right 'there' and that's also why I stop and tell people."
And then he said this:
"Well, y'all better talk to the WHITE PEOPLE then, cause I see them standing out here smoking all the time and you never stop THEM!"
Ok, that pissed me off. I said "Sir, I am ONE PERSON patrolling this entire mall and stop as many people as I can!"
He moved to an acceptable location, but as I left he continued yelling after me about how we NEVER talk to the white people!
Oh, and there were maybe 3 butts on the ground where he was standing. I made a point of sweeping them up afterward where he could see me, and calling cleaning to check all the other entrances.
But REALLY! I ask you to move and that makes me racist!? I told my boss she might get a complaint about me, just in case. In all honesty, the majority of the people I catch smoking outside are white (and employees, who know better and usually rush to an acceptable spot as soon as the see me coming!) , not that it matters, and I speak to every single person the same. If this guy comes to the mall regularly enough to see who smokes outside that door, I'm betting I'll run into him again; won't that be fun!
Being accused of racism makes me feel like shit.
I stopped and said "Excuse me sir, could you move about 50 feet to 'that' side or 'that' side? This is actually a non-smoking area and..."
He started yelling "Hey, there's cigarette butts ALL OVER the ground here! How did I know I couldn't smoke here?!"
I said "Well, there's a sign right 'there' and that's also why I stop and tell people."
And then he said this:
"Well, y'all better talk to the WHITE PEOPLE then, cause I see them standing out here smoking all the time and you never stop THEM!"
Ok, that pissed me off. I said "Sir, I am ONE PERSON patrolling this entire mall and stop as many people as I can!"
He moved to an acceptable location, but as I left he continued yelling after me about how we NEVER talk to the white people!
Oh, and there were maybe 3 butts on the ground where he was standing. I made a point of sweeping them up afterward where he could see me, and calling cleaning to check all the other entrances.
But REALLY! I ask you to move and that makes me racist!? I told my boss she might get a complaint about me, just in case. In all honesty, the majority of the people I catch smoking outside are white (and employees, who know better and usually rush to an acceptable spot as soon as the see me coming!) , not that it matters, and I speak to every single person the same. If this guy comes to the mall regularly enough to see who smokes outside that door, I'm betting I'll run into him again; won't that be fun!
Being accused of racism makes me feel like shit.
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