bobby

I had some time to kill recently so I walked into this store looking for gel products for curly hair but the moment I walked in the merchants (both Asian females, though race is immaterial) made me feel totally uncomfotable. No sooner do I set foot in the store, I get asked, "What are you looking for?" I didn't think anything of it so I asked where their gels were and they pointed. I figured, OK we're good. So I keep browsing and literally four times over the course of I'm getting asked if they can help me but it came off like, "what is this guy doing in our store?" Never mind that I had my flaunted curls. So at that point I just walked out the store. I'm not one that will raise harassment issues, etc. but decided I don't need to deal with that.

Ericachristina

I have personally never experienced anything like this but of course I have heard of similar cases. Usually when I go into a store and need help there is no one to be found and I have to go looking for someone which can be very frustrating as well.

I think if I felt the way you did in the store I would have left and not given them any business. They could have had many reasons for harassing you while you were trying to browse but whatever it was I can see how it could be taken as annoying or seen as rude.

When I get bad customer service I don't go back.

bobby

I won't be going back there anytime soon. I guess I understand how seeing a guy browse for products in a beauty store might seem strange to them but to feel harrassed like I did, forget it.

Gretchen

Sorry you received that treatment; that can't feel good. They were probably trying to be helpful but it doesn't sounds like they went about it the right way.

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Gretchen
NaturallyCurly.com co-founder
3A

You are beautiful!

bobby

It was their tone of voice more than anything. You would have thought I was some kind of perv when I entered the store. Oh well, what's done is done.

Knotty_Maddy

bobby, in different cultures, male interest in products might mean different things...? Dunno. Sounds more like they were, as Gretchen said, trying to help, but unsure how to help properly...? Kind of sounds to me though that they were uncomfortable with a male being in their store, and interested in their products. And that they weren't sure how to handle that situation. Sorry to hear you were uncomfortable, or felt discriminated against...

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Finer, mixed with coarser strands, low-porosity, wavy curly whirly hair...3A, 2C hair. Medium thickness, medium elasticity.
S-shaped hair with corkscrew ends. My hair is even more confused than me ;p
My hair officially hates protein Once a month is enough!
Currently a fan of TiGi products, (rock on, TiGi Curlesque styling creme!) but that will soon change - I am a self-avowed product junkie! Yay!
BIG fan of supersoaker method - thanks Rudeechick!

bobby

I'd like to think it wasn't discimination. I'm sure they wouldn't turn down my money if I did decide to buy something. However, them making me uncomfortable made it a given that I wasn't going to spend money there.

Knotty_Maddy

Well, you voted with your feet good on you, dude. It might make them rethink things.

__________________
Finer, mixed with coarser strands, low-porosity, wavy curly whirly hair...3A, 2C hair. Medium thickness, medium elasticity.
S-shaped hair with corkscrew ends. My hair is even more confused than me ;p
My hair officially hates protein Once a month is enough!
Currently a fan of TiGi products, (rock on, TiGi Curlesque styling creme!) but that will soon change - I am a self-avowed product junkie! Yay!
BIG fan of supersoaker method - thanks Rudeechick!

bobby

Thank you, Maddy. The last thing I wanted to do was make a scene. It's funny because since I walked into the store with gel-tousled curls, you would think they would realize I wasn't some strange dude walking into the store. Had I walked in with a buzzcut I can understand them looking at me strange. As far as them rethinking, hopefully they realize, "curls aren't just for girls." Thanks for your support, darlin'