Taila Batiste was doing a grocery shop when she claims a member of staff started shaming her because of her outfit.
The New South Wales woman, 26, was “shocked” when a staff member allegedly claimed her outfit, which consisted of an oversized sweater and pink gym shorts, was inappropriate to wear grocery shopping.
“I was on the phone doing my fruit and vegetable shop and this lady … mumbled something and walked past me,” she said.
The 26-year-old said she figured the mumbling wouldn’t be about her and didn’t pay the woman much attention, but then she claims the woman came up to her and confronted her over her clothing.
She said the woman said, “I can’t believe you’re wearing that. You’re wearing your underwear out and about”.
The chain was contacted for comment.
Batiste said that things got so heated that the woman told her to “get a grip of herself” and the experience left her shaken.
She than asked to speak to the manager who she claims was “really apologetic” about the incident.
Batiste told the manager that while she had “thick skin,” not everyone does.
She also pointed out that wearing activewear to the grocery store is normal.
Speaking with news.com.au, she said the experience left her feeling “belittled and rattled,” and she didn’t want to let the incident slide.
“I worked as a retail store manager for four years and I would be disgusted if any of my team spoke like that to a customer,” she said.
“(I hope she is) harshly reprimanded so she doesn’t do it to the next person.”
Batiste said that she was also surprised by the woman’s comments because the grocery store is located near a gym and surely people always come in wearing activewear.
“I think people should be more supportive of me being fit, active, and confident in my body,” she said.
The 26-year-old said that in her experience, she only gets “dirty looks or comments” from older women, but she was really taken aback this time because she was wearing such a plain outfit.
“Mind you I was wearing a baggy oversized jumper [sweater], gym shorts and sneakers,” she pointed out.
The 26-year-old said she was glad she spoke up and that the manager was lovely, but when she shared her story online, the reaction was mixed.
Someone wrote that she was looking for “attention.” Another claimed she was being a “Karen,” and someone else said, “Maybe the (staffer) was offended, but this woman walking around the store half naked.”
Others argued that she should be able to wear “whatever she wants,” Another said wearing activewear to the shops shouldn’t be treated like a “crime”, and someone else said, “Thank you for standing up for us all”.
“The response has been 50/50 positive and negative,” she said.
“I’m actually shocked at some of the comments of people backing her up, when they have no idea what I was wearing.”
She said that older people seemed keen to jump on a “hate bandwagon,” but younger people were more on her side, sharing that they were gym clothes or shopping all the time.
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