Thread by @sheikhimaan

Just got followed around uncomfortably closely in a @CanadianTire store, and escorted to taken to customer service to hand in my bag, even though I’ve been to this exact location before many times with a backpack, but I was not alone. I was with white or white-passing people.

This isn’t a super busy store location. I saw at least three people with satchels and bags who weren’t taken to customer services (through the exit gate) like they had stolen something.

After completing my shopping, I passed the customer service desk folks & moved to cash. Paid for my items. Was told by the cashier I can just go and get my bag from customer service with the tag I was given. She remembered me obv bc she got my bag before I handed the tag

My receipt was clear as day sitting right on top of my super visible purchase I made (a carton of small jars) but she still asked if it was paid for. Then picked up the receipt and checked. Was unfriendly throughout.

When I was tailed for my bag earlier, the guy pretty much ran towards me. While making my way to customer service with him, I asked if he knew where the wire connector was and he was so nervous that he told me the entirely wrong aisle (fucking ceiling fans???)

Why’s it that when I’m with white/white passing people, everyone at @CanadianTire is happy to help, but I have a fully shit experience when I’m brown & alone? I spoke to the manager who said it’s just store policy. Gave me his card & said “my name is [redacted]. If you cant read”

He just kept talking about how this is store policy and he’s been on the floor for twenty minutes and not seen anyone with a personal bag. lmao ok... This happened in Whitby. I’m not surprised. What’s up @CanadianTire? I understand store policy but why does it operate on racism?

Before talking to the manager, I quietly returned to the car, nervous and in disbelief, and told @bazzapower what had happened to check if I was just being anxious. We had already driven a bit before he turned the car around and said “yeah no that’s fucked we gotta talk to them.”

This unfortunately not a new experience for me but the distinction between how I’m treated when I’m at stores with white friends vs when I’m at stores alone or with a brown friend is just getting too difficult to ignore. It has become too stark to write off.

I never even take free samples from stores because I feel like they’ll think brown people just want free shit. Meanwhile my white peers never have to think that.
We know when you’re asking if u can help me in a genuine way, & when you’re asking that just bc you find me suspicious

Update: Earlier this week, a @CanadianTire rep called me for the full story. Ofc they chose a brown girl to call me lol typical. They’re looking into the matter. Kept insisting that these aren’t Canadian Tire values, “it’s just the store is in a more white area”. No follow-up yet