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?

As you did go in, it's not really a problem; if you don't like the attitude of the staff checking those entering, perhaps don't go there again.

I thought most people got a bit dizzy on escalators. Horrible things

I imagine they radio through to check there is no one coming to exit that way and therefore create a potential breech of their risk assessment. No one was exiting therefore you were free to enter.

It really is a non-issue as you were able to use the shop with a minor inconvenience to yourself.

Pobblebonk

"
I agree with you, OP. I would suggest a friendly letter to the manager suggesting a bit more staff training. There is absolutely no requirement in the guidance, let alone the law, that you explain precisely what your health difficulties are to individual staff members. On the other hand, there is a clear legal requirement on shops to make reasonable adjustments for disability. If they didn't take people like you into account in setting up their one way system, then they should have, and should have a notice up explaining the rule and the exceptions."

Exactly Pobblebonk. I am currently unable to walk as in the throes of yet another multiple sclerosis attack... Anyway due to my MS I find it very difficult to use escalators as I have balance problems and vertigo. So I would have been in the same position as the OP. A friendly type letter would indeed be useful pointing out the problems that people such as the OP and myself would experience in a one size fits all system.

And I find the vitriol being demonstrated against the OP quite disturbing.

Oh come on it’s hardly personal info is it?

It’s not like she asked for your bank details, your blood type, your address, your mobile number, size of your underwear?

None of this is ideal.

@Cohenlover

And I find the vitriol being demonstrated against the OP quite disturbing.

Many find the entitlement displayed by the OP disturbing.

Damned if they did, damned if they didn't.

OP, you got in the shop.

They made an exception to their coronavirus one-way system. Which actually proves their system works.

Or should they just pack it in and let people wander at will? Many people would then be talking about how unreasonable the shop was to have no one-way system in the middle of COVID.

Plenty of people on other threads wishing shop staff would enforce rules. It's a shame then that when they try, they get slagged off and complained about.

Shops cannot win.

'Just go on the escalator next time'

And I suppose if she was in a wheelchair she should just get up and walk, and if she had a life-threatening allergy to nuts she should just eat them?

As someone who myself has invisible disabilities that prevent me from using escalators, and who has had slightly similar experiences to the OP NOT during a pandemic, I don't think the situation as described justifies a formal complaint. She did get in, after all! But your callousness toward someone's genuine health problems is quite disgusting.

Oh come on it’s hardly personal info is it?

Medical info is not only personal, its also sensitive. There is also no purpose to justify the ask unless the door staff happen to have both the expertise and the customer's medical history. Nor do they need that info if calling to check for a clear exit at the other end.

Let's be honest here. The reason so many people think that those with illnesses and disabilities should have to keep justifying themselves to unqualified nosey parkers and apologising for being such a bloody inconvenience to the world is quite simple.

Its because so many small minded bigots are absolutely terrified that someone else is getting a "benefit" and they are missing out.

'Your op states that you feel dizzy on escalators, op. What condition is this that is potentially fatal?'

If she fell as a result, yes, it could be.

Pobblebonk we may as well give up. dwiz8 That is a very abelist comment.

Some managers are very strict and punish workers for breaking the most arbitrary of rules, you were allowed in the shop after she checked with her manager. I do think that health reasons should have been reason enough without going into further detail, but then some people abuse peoples trust and claim to have health problems that they dont actually have (not that you can tell who these people are of course).

I do think it's odd that you would have to carry your 3 year old on an escalator unless he has other mobility issues, and if you get dangerously dizzy on escalators then you should probably get that checked. I really think this is a non-issue, apart from the store might want yo make their guidelines clearer. But again, guidelines have had to be drawn up very quickly and so probably arent the best.

They've probably had loads of chancers falsely claiming to not be able to use the escalators so that is why they wanted to know the reason why you had to use the lift. It is not the staff's fault. Blame all of the people who have fibbed. Because of them, people like you who are genuinely telling the truth have to explain your reasons.

OP, if your problem was explaining what the health issue was, you could have told her that you'd rather not say.

According to you, she didn't even tell the other person what it was. Just that you "wanted in".

It's staff who are not exactly trained in this type of thing. We are all trying to do our best in what is still a new situation. You could have told her that she didn't have the right to ask what it was, but that it wouldn't be safe for you to carry your child up the escalator. IF she didn't let you through, then complain.
And I mean this as a suggestion for any other similar situation.

They've probably had loads of chancers falsely claiming to not be able to use the escalators so that is why they wanted to know the reason why you had to use the lift

Ah that old chestnut. Lovely piece of disablism without evidence used to justify treating people with disabilities as second class citizens.

Right up there with "some of my best friends are black but..."

I saw someone fall on an escalator and it was horrific, she got her hair caught in the side and got dragged up as the emergency stop button was at the top and there was no one up there to press it, she got scalped and her blood ran all the way down the side of it, this was 13 years ago and I still can picture it so vividly.

**just to add OP the only reason I said to get the dizziness checked is in case there is something else going on that might be part of a bigger problem (I wasn't trying to be insincere I hope it didn't come across that way)

Pablo 😫

That is hard to read

I feel for anyone who cannot do escalators due to dizziness, but the retail staff were fine. Op has admitted this anyway

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.menieres.org.uk/information-and-support/day-to-day/the-built-environment&ved=2ahUKEwiNnfeTs7nrAhXSnVwKHWj2DcgQFjAAegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw11z1qh7eLSTKiIloWqxDRB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.menieres.org.uk/information-and-support/day-to-day/the-built-environment&ved=2ahUKEwiNnfeTs7nrAhXSnVwKHWj2DcgQFjAAegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw11z1qh7eLSTKiIloWqxDRB

I went through a stage of not being able to use escalators.i was told not to by my consultant and i wasn't going to be selfish enough to risk falling on someone.

During this there has been bad and discriminatory treatment of disabled people. I've seen people who use walking aids etc nearly collapse waiting in queues. Simple things such as toilets not being available has meant that people with bladder issues haven't been able to do what others have. Or seats available.

Famous people are starting to speak out and call for the government and businesses to justify the new measures.

OP complain, especially if they've closed an escalator to have everyone use the lift. There's no science that backs that.

CarrotCakeCrumbs Do you really think the OP has not had a potentially fatal condition checked? Your comment is very patronising. Do you think I should get my Multiple Sclerosis checked, just in case all the scans I have had on my brain and spine over the past 12 years have been showing the wrong information?

Oh for goodness sake, stop being a drama queen!

You WERE allowed in the shop despite breaking the rules!

@MJMG2015 precisely.
OP these employees are getting paid peanuts to try and keep people safe. You’re totally overreacting.

Comments from ddl1 and dwiz8 (and many others) are so ableist it just conveys their ignorance.