[D. B.]

I can only speak from my personal experiences in dealing with retail personnel in malls and other shopping centers when answering this question. I am an African American female, and a lot of times I find myself trying to flag someone down or waiting hours for a sales representative to help me to buy their stores merchandise. If that is not the case, I am either constantly watched with suspecting eyes, or am asked rudely, “may I help you” like I am not supposed to be in the store. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that is the manner in which you approach these younger African Americans, and I am not saying that I have never been asked genuinely if I needed help, by a white sales rep. However, because we as African Americans have to deal with people who do act in these ignorant ways on a daily basis, it is difficult for some of us to let our guard down, even when a sales representative seems genuinely kind.I know that another part of this “dismissive” attitude that you might encounter also has to do with age. Teenagers of all races and socioeconomic class are stereotyped as troublemakers. I remember in high school, when a group of my friends entered a store together it seemed as though employees surrounded and kept a close eye on us. Although we were all African American, I knew this “reaction” was also because of our young appearance. In either case, there is no clear answer to why you seem to encounter young African Americans who seem to have this attitude. It could be that they have had a bad day or are just plain rude, which has nothing to do with race. I personally appreciate nice and helpful sales representatives and I am kind to whoever is kind to me. Those who are rude and act like it takes so much out of them to help me, eventually wish they hadn’t acted in that manner. However, it is important that you know that not ALL young African Americans behave this way and make sure that you evaluate yourself and your own conduct to make sure you are not deserving of this rude treatment.

User Detail :  

Name : D. B., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 19, City : East Lansing, State : MI, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

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