Have you ever been refused service from a shop because of something you are wearing? I’m not talking about walking into a posh restaurant while dressed like a tramp, I’m talking about being told that you will not be served for wearing a tiny item on your body.
I walked into a shop this evening to buy a packet of cigarettes while I was waiting for the chicken shop next door to prepare my food. The guy behind the counter looked at me funny and then said “I like your necklace, bruv.”
He was admiring my Five Finger Death Punch pendent that I lovingly wear everywhere. I replied by saying “thank you” with a smile, because I was unsure whether he was being serious or not.
He then said with a smile “I got smashed in the head with one of those last week.” I didn’t know how to reply to that, who would hit you with a worthless bit of costume jewellery? So I said the first thing that came to mind “oh don’t worry, this stays firmly around my neck at all times.”
“Nah I don’t think so bruv.”
What? What did this mean? Was that meant to be a reply to what I just said? All I could think to say was “what?” He then said “I’m not serving you.” I was a bit confused, what possible reason could he have for not serving me? Did I look underage? Did I appear to be drunk? Was I being overtly aggressive?
“Why not?” He pointed to my necklace and said “Because you are wearing that.” I’ve never been refused service before for wearing my Five Finger Death Punch pendent. “Are you joking? You’re not going to serve me because you don’t like my necklace?”
The guy who owns the place appeared out of nowhere and asked me what the problem was, I told him. This then kicked off a two minute discussion in Albanian (or whatever language they spoke) as the guy behind the counter pointed at my necklace.
“Sorry boss, he is new, what did you want?”
Apparently the guy had been attacked with proper knuckledusters last week, I’m not sure what damage he thought I could do with the one around my neck, I would never hit anyone with it for fear of breaking it!
