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Stereotypes. Why do they exist? Can we blame it on society
and say that it brainwashed us, and made us think a certain way
that we grew up to believe is right? Or can we say it's our own
ignorant minds placing people into categories in which they do
not belong?
Whatever the reason, everyone stereotypes people at some part
of their life, intentionally or not, and it's wrong. And some
situations are less serious than others. Take mine for example.
The stereotype my situation falls under is the infamous "he/she's-a-teenager-and-they-are-
casually-browsing-through-my-store-so-obviously-they're-going-to-shoplift."
Want to know the irony? While this 17-year-old female is browsing
through a store with no intentions to steal, all focus from the
floor walkers and security guards is being placed on her, just
waiting until they can catch her slipping a lip gloss into her
pocket.
Meanwhile, this ever-so-obvious floor walker guy is following
her around the store, while, lo and behold, a 23-year-old mother
is in aisle three, stealing cans of tomato soup and cheese with
the absolute greatest of ease. She could've been caught but no
one suspected her. After all, she's not a teenager.
This situation has happened to me numerous times, as well
as mostly everybody I know. I've learned to shrug it off. One
thing I can't shrug off, however, is salespeople being snotty
to me. Why? You've probably guessed it by now.
Rude salespeople in places such as jewelry stores and high-class
department stores really bug me. If you look like you don't have
money, or fall under the age category of "going to the mall
by yourself "- about 24 years of age where I live, you don't
get a second look from these people. They won't ask you if you
would like a price for something, try on a certain article of
clothing you've been eyeing, or have a sample of that new perfume
they're introducing.
You don't get treated equally by these people, all because
they stereotype you. Remember the movie "Pretty Woman"?
She was snubbed by those salespeople because, as far as they
were concerned, she didn't look good enough to be in their store.
That is exactly what I am talking about.
People need to put aside their stereotypical minds for once,
and treat people with a little respect. After all, being 17 years
old or living just above the poverty line is not something anyone
can help, is it? Some people just need to grow up and realize
that. |
