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Awhile back I worked in a small computer shop. The owner was a nice guy and all of us employees got along well, which was great because we were a small group and it made the day to day operations of the store so much easier.
One of the employees was gay. He didn't exactly broadcast that fact, but he made no effort to hide it either. He had the higher pitched voice and used certain mannerisms common to gay men, so I'm sure most customers knew what he was about.
We had this one lady who would come in every so often for PC repair work. I'd guess she was in her 40s. The first few times she came in, she was polite and respectful. By sheer fluke, she had never had to deal with GCW.
Until one day I was in the back looking for something and heard the following exchange:
Gay coworker: Hi, ma'am, welcome to ABC computers, what can I help you with today?
SC: I'm not dealing with you. Get me someone else.
GCW: Not dealing with me? You just met me. What could I have possibly done to upset you?
SC: I know what you people are all about. Get me someone else.
GCW: What do you mean "you people"? Are you talking about -
SC: I SAID GET ME SOMEONE ELSE!
At this point I realize things are escalating and so I emerge from the back.
Me: Hi ma'am, my name is CC. What's the problem here?
SC: (suddenly nice as sunshine) There's no problem. This computer is not working, I need it fixed.
Me: Ok, well my colleague here is perfectly capable of setting that up for you.
SC: No, I don't want to deal with him. You set it up for me.
Me: He's just as well trained as I am, Ma'am.
SC: He may well be, but I refuse to be served by someone like HIM.
Me: Like him?
SC: YES! I will NOT do business with SINNERS!
Me: (thinking) Oh boy...here we go.
GCW: Now just a minute...
SC: Be quiet! I don't want to hear any defense of your perverted lifestyle or other bull about how you are "normal" like me. Don't you know Jesus died on the cross so you could be FREE from sin? Accept him as your savior, repent for your evil deeds and you can still enter the kingdom of Heaven. Otherwise, continue on in your perversion and you'll burn in Hell like the rest of 'em."
Me: GCW, don't say anything. Go in the back, take a minute to calm down. I'll be there shortly.
(GCW leaves)
SC: Serves him right. Now, how much will it cost me to get this computer fixed?
Me: We don't want your money or your hate. Take your computer and leave NOW.
SC: (aghast) I don't believe this! You are actually defending the heathen? What kind of business are you running here?
Me: The kind that doesn't serve people who disrespect and offend the employees. I'm only going to tell you one more time. Take your computer, leave and never come back. If I ever see you walk through that door again, I will call the police and have you removed for trespassing.
SC: Fine, I'll go. Better I not give you any of my money anyway, you people are probably all sinners!
She finally left and I went in to the back to check on GCW. He was doing ok, as you might expect he'd encountered this kind of thing a number of times before.
The SC ended up complaining to the owner, of course distorting the story so myself and GCW were the ones who were "rude and disrespectful". The owner supported us and upheld the banning. Since there was no corporate to go to, that was the end of it.
One of the employees was gay. He didn't exactly broadcast that fact, but he made no effort to hide it either. He had the higher pitched voice and used certain mannerisms common to gay men, so I'm sure most customers knew what he was about.
We had this one lady who would come in every so often for PC repair work. I'd guess she was in her 40s. The first few times she came in, she was polite and respectful. By sheer fluke, she had never had to deal with GCW.
Until one day I was in the back looking for something and heard the following exchange:
Gay coworker: Hi, ma'am, welcome to ABC computers, what can I help you with today?
SC: I'm not dealing with you. Get me someone else.
GCW: Not dealing with me? You just met me. What could I have possibly done to upset you?
SC: I know what you people are all about. Get me someone else.
GCW: What do you mean "you people"? Are you talking about -
SC: I SAID GET ME SOMEONE ELSE!
At this point I realize things are escalating and so I emerge from the back.
Me: Hi ma'am, my name is CC. What's the problem here?
SC: (suddenly nice as sunshine) There's no problem. This computer is not working, I need it fixed.
Me: Ok, well my colleague here is perfectly capable of setting that up for you.
SC: No, I don't want to deal with him. You set it up for me.
Me: He's just as well trained as I am, Ma'am.
SC: He may well be, but I refuse to be served by someone like HIM.
Me: Like him?
SC: YES! I will NOT do business with SINNERS!
Me: (thinking) Oh boy...here we go.
GCW: Now just a minute...
SC: Be quiet! I don't want to hear any defense of your perverted lifestyle or other bull about how you are "normal" like me. Don't you know Jesus died on the cross so you could be FREE from sin? Accept him as your savior, repent for your evil deeds and you can still enter the kingdom of Heaven. Otherwise, continue on in your perversion and you'll burn in Hell like the rest of 'em."
Me: GCW, don't say anything. Go in the back, take a minute to calm down. I'll be there shortly.
(GCW leaves)
SC: Serves him right. Now, how much will it cost me to get this computer fixed?
Me: We don't want your money or your hate. Take your computer and leave NOW.
SC: (aghast) I don't believe this! You are actually defending the heathen? What kind of business are you running here?
Me: The kind that doesn't serve people who disrespect and offend the employees. I'm only going to tell you one more time. Take your computer, leave and never come back. If I ever see you walk through that door again, I will call the police and have you removed for trespassing.
SC: Fine, I'll go. Better I not give you any of my money anyway, you people are probably all sinners!
She finally left and I went in to the back to check on GCW. He was doing ok, as you might expect he'd encountered this kind of thing a number of times before.
The SC ended up complaining to the owner, of course distorting the story so myself and GCW were the ones who were "rude and disrespectful". The owner supported us and upheld the banning. Since there was no corporate to go to, that was the end of it.
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