I wasn't allowed in the shop

[ILikeGlitter]

Should I complain about this or just let it go?

I wanted to go into a shop today with my ds who is 3. The shop is within a shopping center which has a lift and escalators. The escalator leads directly into the shop but before Covid you could also use the lift to enter from the first floor.

I cannot use an escalator as they make me go dizzy and I would need to carry ds. It just wouldn't have been safe for me so we took the lift.

When we got to the top the lady at the door said this is exit only. I needed to go in from the escalator at the bottom. I said I couldn't use the escalator for health reasons. She then went on to ask me what health reasons. I then had to explain to her and she said she will check with her manager if I can go in it was a big exit and no one was even coming out at the time.
She radioed over to them and said I have a lady and child here who don't want to use the escalator can they come in through the exit?
I didn't hear the reply but she then gestured for me to enter.

It made me annoyed probably more than it should have. Would you complain or just leave it at that as after all I did get to go in the shop?

Your title is untrue, you were allowed in

This.
She checked you were allowed to come in that way, you were, she gestures to you to come on through.

Well of course you had to explain why you were operating contrary to the rules. You explained why and then they let you on the lift. Where is the problem?

Just go on the escalator next time

I wasn't allowed in the shop unless I could provide a valid reason to be going in through the exit is hardly the same thing as I wasn't allowed in the shop

There are plenty of situations in life where you only get exemptions if you can explain why. Do you imagine the parents of an autistic child would get to go to the front of the queue at the funfair if they just went up and said "we need to get to the front of the queue"? Of course not. If so, everybody would demand to go to the front of the queue.

"Giving out personal information"

Sorry what super secret personal information did they give out? It seems she messaged her manager and said you didn't want to use the escalator, didn't go into any massive detail then let you through 🤷🏻‍♀️

So you were allowed in the shop?

I understand you being dizzy on the escalators and having to carry your child and therefore having safety concerns.
You then used the lift. The woman challenged you. You explained. She asked a manager and she let you in. End of story.

They're not doing all this in shops because they're bored and don't need the customers they're doing it because they have to, and they tried to accommodate you despite the regulations
If you're 3 year old has a special reason for needing to be carried you either need a push chair or a sling

Cut them some slack woman. This is a new situation for everyone. People working in retail have been given instructions and don't have the authority to bend the rules according to everyone's personal circumstances. Just let it go ffs. It's a total non issue.

She let you in though so like others have said your title is misleading. She asked you why you couldn't use the escalator entrance like everyone else and when you gave your reason she allowed you in. There are one way systems in place for a reason but obviously they make allowances for people who cannot use the other entrance and she made one for you. She wasn't wrong to ask you why since you used the wrong entrance.

AIBU has its reputation but the vitriol here is above and beyond.

Perhaps your title should read, ‘should I message and thank member of staff for letting me in the exit of the shop despite clear signs stating that it is not currently allowed.’

My title isn't wrong. I wasn't allowed in the shop unless I could provide a valid reason to be going in through the exit

You said you weren't allowed in the shop.
Yes, you were.
If it's a one way system, of course they have to check first to see if they can bend the rules.
I agree you shouldn''t have to give a full rundown of your medical history though, but nothing wrong with saying you have a disability that means you are unable to go the other way.
I mean, if they didn't check anyone could rock up tomorrow like myself and say the same like myself (not that I would, just saying!)
You'd get piss takers. They're just doing their job.

wtf is your complaint?
There's loads of times that lifts have been out of order and the only alternative is an escalator, you either use it or go without.
Entitlement or what. lol.

"I was allowed in the shop"

Yabu

Big time

Firstly you were let in the shop

Secondly why on earth do you need to carry your 3 year old on an escalator

Thirdly get a grip

AIBU has its reputation but the vitriol here is above and beyond

Vitriol? Really? I can only see one you could class as that (special soldier? Really no need) but asking AIBU and then getting an unanimous yes, you are and here's why is hardly vitriolic.
If someone posts AIBU, then there's a chance you might be told yes you bloody are lol

It's not vitriol, Crunchy. I see this from both sides as I have a child who is both disabled herself and used to work in retail.

Depending on the store, a complaint from a customer can really make things difficult.

There is also the obvious point that if too many customers take advantage of "no questions asked" the one-way situation will become unmanageable and they won't be able to let anyone do it. I've known such situations to arise re disability access in the past.

This is such a non-issue. You asked to do something that goes against the system they have set up. You were asked why - that's logical.

Imagine how many people have tried it on before you. Yours might be valid, but the shop assistant would have had dozens of people before you trying to do the same and then probably getting stroppy with her. They legally have to have this one way system at the moment.

I wasn't allowed in the shop unless I could provide a valid reason to be going in through the exit. good to hear that the shop is following the guidelines.

Why would you carry a 3yr old on escalator?
Most kids holding a hand from about 15m.can do an escalator.

I came on here to ask if I was being unreasonable. I obviously am. I am not here to argue with strangers on the internet.

#be kind

So you were thinking of complaining that an employee was doing their job. Interesting. Should I complain that the lady in our local farm shop asked me to wait outside as there were already the maximum number of customers in the shop? Or that I had to use the one way system in our local (very small) pub to use the toilet, which meant I had to go outside in the rain and back in the entrance? Nope, it's just how things are at the moment. Get over it.

Honestly can't see what you are moaning about.
You wanted to go into a shop via the exit and they let you.... no problem here!

@ILikeGlitter

I came on here to ask if I was being unreasonable. I obviously am. I am not here to argue with strangers on the internet.

#be kind

Maybe you should "be kind" to the lady who was doing her job.