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Original poster

This happened to me at the weekend and I feel ashamed I did nothing - Racism

432 replies

Changedusernameforthis2 · 14/05/2025 13:56

I was at a car boot sale at the weekend and there was a large stall there- that was a man and wife- selling 'fill a bag' type stuff - they were a house clearance company avoiding paying dumping fees I think

There was a lady there who was wearing a headcovering, she kept going behind the stall and they kept shooing her out
The man said in a sort of 'I'm muttering but loud enough for everyone to hear' way - he said "They're like rats, it might help if we stop giving them everything"
I was really shocked and just walked off but I feel really ashamed I didn't tackle it

What can I say if I find myself in this position again? I do not want to stand by and let it happen- I feel embarassed of being a coward

OP posts:
MrsMappFlint · 14/05/2025 14:13

Why did she keep going behind the stall, even though he had shooed her out?

Do you think he would have been happy if it had been a teenaged boy or a woman wearing mini skirt that kept doing this?

Why do you think she was so rude. Even if there was a language difficulty, everyone knows when they have been shooed out? Why did she ignore this chap and invade his private space?

Did you intervene to stop this rude woman? Why not?

You are allowed to comment negatively on people with headscarves when their behaviour warrants it, you know. It isn't a halo. Or are you somebody who thinks every criticism of a non white is racist.

It's not.

She sounds bloody rude.

ElsieMc · 14/05/2025 14:10

SIL at Alton Towers last week with gd 2 and gd 4. Queuing for an adult ride when 3 Muslim lads who had been causing trouble earlier pushed to front of queue. VE day silence was being observed when they started shouting Fuck this get over it, it was years ago.

People were looking at each other when Sil told security who dealt with it. As they marched out they said when they found out who grassed they would seriously hurt them. Obviously in stronger terms.

People are scared to intervene for a multitude of reasons. Bigotry exists in all walks of life.

growgrowinggrown · 14/05/2025 14:07

ScrewedByFunding · 14/05/2025 14:04

And by this I mean, you say she kept going behind the stall, presumably where their cash and personal belongings were and they were telling her to stop and she wasn't listening.

Granted it wasn't a nice comment but I didn't relate that to race.

Show quote history

I think i might err on the side of this tbh. I've done carbooting loads and the amount of people that try to come behind my table, rummage in any boxes I have put underneath/held back, have a nosy in the boot etc. it's a known tactic of enthusiasts that want to grab a bargain but seriously frustrating and difficult to manage.

Ablondiebutagoody · 14/05/2025 14:04

What kind of head covering?

ScrewedByFunding · 14/05/2025 14:04

ScrewedByFunding · 14/05/2025 14:00

Why don't you think it was just aimed at her behaviour and instead think he was commenting on her race?

And by this I mean, you say she kept going behind the stall, presumably where their cash and personal belongings were and they were telling her to stop and she wasn't listening.

Granted it wasn't a nice comment but I didn't relate that to race.

ScrewedByFunding · 14/05/2025 14:00

Why don't you think it was just aimed at her behaviour and instead think he was commenting on her race?

Farkinhell · 14/05/2025 13:58

What an arsehole.

I find a 'did you mean to say that out loud?' or a 'care to elaborate any more on your biggoted views?' shuts them up a bit. On the rare occasions I am brave enough to confront a bigot., of course. It's easier online, and when there are a lot of people around.