Racist

I had just come into work and had not been there for ten minutes when my first customer (of an unmentioned race) comes in and ask for a belt for a car (I work at AutoZone). Understand that if you want a part, you have to give me more information about what you drive other than the fact that it is a car. I asked him the year model of the car and his responce was, "It's uh car man." I responded, "Okay, but what year model, when was it made?" The guy looked at me like I was stupid and said, "I don't know man. I'm in the computer." (Note: Only warrentied items show up in the computer when we look under a persons history. Belts have no warrenty) This is what I told him. He said, "It's a belt for a car!" By now he is getting frustrated and the guy he came in withwas trying to explain to him what I was asking for, but he would not listen. The man started accusing me of refusing to help him. Then he said, "It's a car man, a car. I am driving a car!" By now I am getting annoyed with the man and I responded, "Yes we have already established the fact that you drive a car, but I need to know the year model, who made it, what model the car is, what the engine size is, and what the belt is going around." The man looked at his partner and began to rant, "Man let's get the ____ out of here, man. This fool don't know what he's doin'. He's a ____ racist!!"

After I cooled down about a half hour later, I began to think about how some people just throw out the word "racist" so easily. All I did was try to get information on what this guy drove so I could get him the correct belt, and he calls me a racist because he did not know what he drives. You may see alot of this too. When someone cannot get what they want from someone of a different race, they scream racism. What is your opinion on the matter? Do you think people scream "racist" too easily?

People say alot of things, was he black or of other race, meh, you should of given him any belt to try, make him pay for it, then when he brings it back say we don't do return!

I would of gotten my suppervisor, unless that was you!

You're not a racist.

You're a vehiclist.

Originally Posted by Ninboy

People say alot of things, was he black or of other race, meh, you should of given him any belt to try, make him pay for it, then when he brings it back say we don't do return!
I would of gotten my suppervisor, unless that was you!

Had I done that, I could have lost my job. My future father-in-law suggested that I had said, "Hang on a second let me go get my father." Then I should have gotten one of my managers who was of the same race as that guy.

Well, I don't really want to say anything. But the fact that he did not want to give you details about the car leaves me in suspicion that he might have stole the car. That's the first thing that pops into my mind. But I'll try to stay a little on topic.

I agree with the fact that the word "racist" is over-used. A racist is someone who discriminates other by the way they look, or what they do. And who may also think that their superior then the other race. I see no signs of racism in your story. I sometimes hear the word "racist" when I try to identify someone. Let's say for example I wanted to identify a person who was African-American. I would say he was black. Then someone else would call me a racist (speaking among my friends). Identifying someone of their skin tone is not racist. It's simply trying to identify someone. I'd say I'm a white kid. Does that mean I'm a racist to all white people (which includes me)? No, I’m merely identifying myself of what type of skin tone I am.

Anyways, I do hear the word "racist" or "racism" a lot. That isn’t used in the proper context of what the actually meaning of the word is. It's just that sometimes people feel that their being discriminated sometimes by their skin tone. Or more often (on news, and stories), I see people using the term racist being used when basically someone isn't getting what they want, using it as a excuse sometimes, which I think is completely wrong.

Originally Posted by Dark Link

That isn’t used in the proper context of what the actually meaning of the word is.

The debate has been resolved. :D

Yes, the word "racist" is easily spewed from people's mouths if they are in the minority, otherwise known as "the non-white people". It's the only trump card they have so as to make a substantial, convincing, but still fallacious argument for when it comes to speaking to one whom has power over you, whether it be to those members of minority organizations with this tenacious belief that civil rights have not been properly established yet or at the very least your boss.

So, what could you have done? Nothing. I wouldn't fret over this particular issue, although you probably could have considered asking if you could see the car and to look up the model online. The guys didn't even know of what make the car was and even what year, so, in a sarcastic, speculative sort-of way, perhaps the car was stolen? :D

People do use the woed racist too easily. But I've had a similar situation happen to me. (I work at O'Riley's Autoparts). But it wasn't racist comments it was sexiest comments. A guy came in and asked me for a *tada* belt for his car. When I asked him what model it was and who made it, he said I had no idea what I was talking about because I was a stupid woman. Turns out I know more about cars than half the guys that work there. Go figure. But in situations such as these sometimes you just have to ignore people. I agree with Dark Link on the fact that it might have been stolen. I mean how hard could it ahve been to say the make and model??

See this situation is the kind of thing that realy gets me heated. I feel for you man. I get do upset when people use the "race card" any time they please just to make you feel like an ass. When in fact they are the ones who look like an ass for saying things like that. But they are just to stupid to realize that they are being like that. Some times i get so uset with people that do this kind of thing that i think they deserve to be treated inferior, becasue they walk aroud all day slaping everyone with the "race card" making them feel like they are being racist when they are actually not. Kind of a little taste of your own medicine kind of thing. Well im sorry that that had to happend to you bro.

I think it's obvious that the car was stolen. Why wouldn't you just tell the employee what make, model, and year your car is in order to get the correct belt? I don't care what race they are - 80% chance that car was stolen.

80% chance that car was stolen.

Eh, I wouldn't say that. It's a possibility, but chances are people won't bring a stolen car to a car shop and tell someone that "they're in the computer."

Racism? I don't believe in it. We're all humans, and we all came from the same ancestors (whether you believe in Creation or Evolution, it matters not). Different skin colors and assorted variables do not make anyone a different "type" of human, just a different "model" (if you will ).

If not stolen, then the guy was just an impatient bigot. He irony is that he was the one who was being racist.

Anyone who's worked retail for an any length of time has probably encountered silly accusations of racism from time to time, whether personally or against a co-worker. There are certainly a number of people who whip it out as their first explanation for any difficult social situation. And accusing others of being racist is one of the easier mechanisms of actually being racist.

Mind, I'd stop short of claiming the car in this case was stolen: When I worked as an english tutor for my university it'd be like pulling teeth to get the most basic information out of people, like their name and student number. And it honestly seemed that their goal was just to be contrary or weren't particularly bright.

I was joking about the theft, sort of...just to let you guys know. I was taking a stab at stereotyping.

Originally Posted by D3PyroGS

Eh, I wouldn't say that. It's a possibility, but chances are people won't bring a stolen car to a car shop and tell someone that "they're in the computer."

Exactly.

That person that told you that you were racist because of what you were asking is a stupid idiot. Asking what model the car is has absolutely nothing to do with anyone's race. If he didn't know what car he had, why didn't he just show you his car? That guy must've been an idiot and did not know what "racist" meant.

Originally Posted by Neo Zelda

People do use the woed racist too easily. But I've had a similar situation happen to me. (I work at O'Riley's Autoparts). But it wasn't racist comments it was sexiest comments. A guy came in and asked me for a *tada* belt for his car. When I asked him what model it was and who made it, he said I had no idea what I was talking about because I was a stupid woman. Turns out I know more about cars than half the guys that work there. Go figure. But in situations such as these sometimes you just have to ignore people. I agree with Dark Link on the fact that it might have been stolen. I mean how hard could it ahve been to say the make and model??

The three girls at my store catch alot of that too. Sometimes though, things like that hit a button. I will admit that it angered me with an unholy fire at how this guy could do that. It was for that reason I went to the back to chill out for a minute before helping someone else out. I do agree a great deal with everything said in here (except the crack about the car being stolen). There are people who shout discrimination or racism when they cannot get what they want. I think the thing that really got my goat on this is that he is probably one of those people who thinks they should be treated special because of the past of his ancestors of whom he probably does not know the name of.

That stuff is not nifty...The people who throw the word racism around the way they throw around the word "cool" obviously have no idea what it is. Having to sit in the back of a restaurant or bus because you're a different race than everyone else? Now that's racism. Being given low paying jobs regardless of your ability because of your race? That's racism. Not providing someone with a car part because they haven't provided you with the knowledge to do so...isn't racism.

I consider myself very lenient when it comes to racism. If someone happens to say a derogatory term, I usually just ignore it, and if I know that someone is joking with me, I simply laugh. The only time I'll make a big deal out of racist comments is if I know for a fact that their said with the intent to be disrespectful and hurtful.

I'd say, flip out like a REAL ninja and kill them all.
Man, I'm in such a mood for spamming today...damn!
Anyway, back on topic, I think you make a good point Hammer, people just flash the "racist" call when they can't get what they want, or when they need some sort of excuse for the mistakes they make.
But I think reverse-racism is as bad, like, when people feel "sorry" for someone for being a member of a diferent culture or race, and treat them like if they were too stupid to function by themselves.