Personally Speaking

As I have shared with you all, my family was on the poorer side of the economic spectrum growing up. When I was in college, my Dad got a really good paying job, and Mom was working at a local retail store, so their financial status began looking up. I remember an incident that happened when I was in college, though, where there was bias exhibited.  My Dad worked in a machine shop and wore old clothes.  Even when they were clean, he would sometimes choose to wear those to go out shopping.  So, one afternoon when I was home for Christmas break, he said, “Let’s go to the jewelry store and get your Mom’s Christmas present.”  He wanted to get her some diamond earrings, and he was dressed in his “comfortable” clothes. 

When we walked into the local jewelry store, we were not immediately sought out by the salespeople.  In fact, we had to ask for help.  When Dad told the lady what he wanted, she said, “Well, honey, have you thought about cubic zirconia?”  My Dad was a littler patient than I was, but I said, “Um, ma’am, he said DIAMONDS.”  She then led him to a case that had tiny little diamond chips in it.  I was SO mad, that I wanted to leave, but my Dad really wanted some for my Mom, so he continued the sale.  He told the saleslady that he wanted something a little bigger.  Again, she led him to a sale counter that was less than what Dad wanted.  He finally found what he was looking for, and when he paid in CASH I thought the lady’s eyes were going to pop out of her head.

I learned that people sometimes act in ignorance.  Stereotypes are often hard to overcome and affect interactions with others.  As an ECE professional, I try to look past outward appearances.  I have learned that this does not equal economic status.  In these tough times, someone could be dressed to the nines, clad in the best that money has, and be struggling financially.  On the flip side, someone may look less than perfect, and be well off.

I remember the anger and frustration I felt with this experience.  I remember sharing this with EVERYONE and I still do not like going into this place of business.  If everyone was treated equally, this would not have happened.