“Men are not women, even if you squint” said the t-shirt worn by an older Māori woman in the New World supermarket in Ōtaki, New Zealand. The t-shirt appeared to agitate a trans-identifying male (TIM) staff member, who elevated what should have been a simple sales transaction into a fracas. He imbued his displeasure with enough vocal stridency to ensure it brought the male duty manager running to see what was upsetting him. Upon seeing that TIM had hurt feelings, the duty manager promptly manhandled the older woman out the door. I expect Phillippa’s ejection was TIM’s desired result. After all, why go to effort of making a fuss, unless you know it will generate a reaction?
I am left with some questions that will never be answered, but here goes. I wonder if she had been a man wearing the same tee shirt if the reaction would have been so physical (not asking her to leave, but pushing her out the door). Do NW staff have any training in customer relations? I find it hard to believe that they are told that they are supposed to centre themselves as the most important when interacting with the customers (who ahem, pay their wages and provide them with their income).
I can only hope that this owner/manager finds a dip in his takings over the next wee while. If he is happy to prioritise the delusional beliefs and hurt feelz of his staff over the profits which keep his store open, while building up his capital, then that is his right to do so, but as far as I'm aware, supermarkets are there to sell food to consumers, not to provide a "safe space" for people with mental challenges.
Thank you for sharing this. Not being familiar with the language and customs, can you share what this means (from the t-shirt designer)- "Mana Wāhine Kōrero is a rōpū of tangata whenua wāhine" as well as "our reo, our whakapapa, our tikanga and our Tipuna."
I am left with some questions that will never be answered, but here goes. I wonder if she had been a man wearing the same tee shirt if the reaction would have been so physical (not asking her to leave, but pushing her out the door). Do NW staff have any training in customer relations? I find it hard to believe that they are told that they are supposed to centre themselves as the most important when interacting with the customers (who ahem, pay their wages and provide them with their income).
I can only hope that this owner/manager finds a dip in his takings over the next wee while. If he is happy to prioritise the delusional beliefs and hurt feelz of his staff over the profits which keep his store open, while building up his capital, then that is his right to do so, but as far as I'm aware, supermarkets are there to sell food to consumers, not to provide a "safe space" for people with mental challenges.
She is a very courageous lady. Sorry for what she endured. The tee shirt is great; very creative.
Now, all of us (I am in Australia) can see it and if it wasn’t for this nasty and immature incident
I would never have seen it. So I thank her.
"It is offensive if someone perceives it to be offensive"
And that's where we are unfortunately.
Wow! So much information, my full support for the customer . The person who was screaming at the customer should be fired.
Thank you for sharing this. Not being familiar with the language and customs, can you share what this means (from the t-shirt designer)- "Mana Wāhine Kōrero is a rōpū of tangata whenua wāhine" as well as "our reo, our whakapapa, our tikanga and our Tipuna."
I have a video of Rex Landy whose sister is the one who was bundled out of the store. What’s your twitter handle so I can share it with you.