Valentine's Day Karen
This story happened to me this past Valentine’s Day. My wife and I went to Target. She was doing a return and there was a line so I went ahead and started the shopping. Important note here – I’m low vision and use a white cane to help people understand I am visually impaired. Anyways, I was in the dog food aisle getting some dog food and looking for a specific flavor of dog treats when this older lady walks up and starts yelling at me to get a bag of dog food and put it in her cart. At first, I didn’t realize she was making this demand of me. I think there is a nicer way to ask someone f or help besides immediately screaming at them. But OK – so I ask her what she needs she seems to point at something and says that one. Now remember, I have my white cane in my hand and pointing at something doesn’t really tell me what you need from me. I ask her to identify which one she wants and she again points at something. I tell her I can’t see what you are pointing at. I can help if you tell me what you need. Then she yells, “I swear, why does this store hire blind people that can’t even see to help people!” I was shocked to say the least!! I told her I don’t work here and I’m trying to be nice. Then she said why did you wear a red shirt to Target then. I could see enough of her to see that she was wearing a red shirt. I told her I’ m not wearing a red shirt it is pink for Valentine’s Day and by using her logic that means she works there as well. By this time a manager came over to see what the commotion was and had heard her comment to me about being blind. The manager apologized to me for the rudeness of the lady., She was then escorting the lady away from the area. My wife by this time was headed to find me. She heard the lady crying please don’t ban me from the store, I won’t have anywhere else that I can shop. The manager said, “You’ve been warned before about screaming at customers.” When my wife found me, she could tell I was upset. She asked me what was wrong. I told her about the incident. She said, “You’ll be happy to know that she has been banned from the store.” And she filled me in on the conversation that she heard. I doubt the lady learned her lesson, but that Target store gained a loyal customer with me.