I posted a few days ago about an incident where I was asked to leave a grocery store for not wearing a mask. Post here.
The TL;DR version is this:
I go into a grocery store, shop for a 20 minutes. Every single employee at that point had been super nice and said absolutely nothing mask-related. In an empty aisle, the "store manager" walks up to me and asks if I'm aware that I have to wear a facial covering while in the store. I tell her I have a medical exemption. She says, "I don't care, it doesn't matter. The CDC says you still have to wear one." I knew she was completely wrong and arguing was of no use. So before I left, I made sure to ask her if this store's corporate policy was to NOT honor medical exemptions. She said, "Yeah". I asked her name and calmly left. I came home and felt pretty awful about the incident. Did not expect to ever have it affect me in such a way. I wrote corporate an email as a last resort but expected nothing to come of it.
Anyway, I have an update. I don't why I'm so surprised because I knew I was right, but it turns out this grocery DOES, in fact, honor medical exemptions. I wrote them back again because I wanted them to clarify some things and I wanted to make absolute sure I wouldn't be hassled again. They again replied and told me their management teams would be informed so "everyone is on the same page" and that I was good to go.
I know this is probably not a big deal to most of you but I hate confrontation and do everything I can to avoid it. All of the mandates and restrictions have affected me in ways I never thought possible. I pretty much hate going anywhere now due to the anxiety of whether I'm going to get humiliated and kicked out of a store over their stupid masks.
This one feels good, man. Feels like the little guy finally won one lol. Still have never worn a mask and never will. God bless America.
Thanks! Yeah, it sounds stupid because I did absolutely nothing wrong, but I had this weird feeling like I'd done something wrong. Stupid, I know. Just glad I know I can walk in there without getting hassled now. Small victory but a victory nonetheless.
Thanks so much, really appreciate you saying that.
That’s the commie way. Shame you into compliance because look...everyone else is! Good for you! Those masks are completely useless anyway.
Yes, and they can get fined tens of thousands of dollars, so it's very well worth filing the complaint. Good thing you got the managers name. And try to make a note of the time you were in the store, because they may ask all that info.
Unfortunately there are “special covid rules,” they don’t even have to make reasonable accommodations if they don’t want to. But most will balk at the idea of having to tangle with Ada. I read up on it after my rumble with the dmv
I lost the embarrassment gene a long time ago so it doesn't bother me if someone says something to me about not wearing a mask. I just say no. And in all these months I've only had to leave 2 places. Sure, I get the occasional eejit recoiling from me as they pass me in the aisle but I just smile at them and go about my business. And I always wear headphones and pretend not to hear the repeated "ma'am"s as I breeze through the front door. Do you mind if I ask what store this was?
I have put up with all the eyerolls, the purple-haired ladies screeching for me to "mask up", and the occasional employee asking me to wear a mask. I have ALWAYS ignored it all and when it came to it, just said "MEDICAL" and walked away. Never ever had a problem until this place. This was the very first time I was actually told I couldn't shop without a mask, medical or not. Wish I were like you LOL. But my brain just goes into overdrive and wont let me function when it comes to confrontation. I hate it. This was at WinCo.
You know, you may be like that now, but you may find yourself changing over time. I used to be like that, and now nobody wants to mess with me because I let them know with just a look, don't go there. If they do, I enjoy 'educating' them. Funny how things like that work. :D
Yep me too. It's how I've changed the most due to covid. Taking that step to buck the rules is hard to do for me and many of of us here it seems, but it's these stories that provide much needed encouragement.
I heard someone say something a while back that might put the fear of God in these people. You tell the person that they can take your word for it that you have a medical exemption or they can pay their attorney to read it in a courtroom, and if they still act uppity you say, "Maybe I wasn't clear - I wouldn't be suing WinCo, I'd be (look at nametag) suing YOU personally, Jane Doe. And I hope you have plenty of money to pay that lawyer you'll need because while you seem to be all in on protecting the WinCo company line, I can assure you they won't do the same for you and would drop you like an infected mask".
We just had an incident with a cashier at Winco too! I don't want you to dox yourself but...WA state?
Yup.
In my country, there are many reasons for being exempted from wearing a mask. One of them is anxiety. ow, they maybe thinking claustrophobia or something, but I'll tell you; I've never felt as much consistent anxiety as I have because of being forced/required/expected/coerced into wearing a mask or feeling rotten because I'm being asked to do something I consider unethical.
So that's my reason. Anxiety. Justified. And it's NOT legal for a store or anyone to ask me for PROOF, etc.
At this point, I realize that in reality, they cannot justify these demands, but that they will continue until everyone starts pushing back.
If people want to wear a mask, that's their choice. But not mine.
The only caution I would put here is to not give them a reason to point at a mental condition. In my country, they would mark that down and use it against you. This is how they tried to limit combat veterans from purchasing firearms.
Ah...I see you haven't been to Costco. They're fucking mask Nazis.
I love you Amber ??
SO DO I.
Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As someone that doesn't like confrontation, either, I completely understand how you feel. I'm so glad you emailed and got the response you wanted.
If I were you, I'd print out a copy of that email and carry it with me. That way, if you get hassled, you have the paperwork to PROVE IT!
Haha, I'm happy someone gets me. Kind of a huge deal for me. Feels fucking great.
Yup, I probably will never need it but I think I'll print out the email and keep it in my wallet or something just in case. Thanks!
You should feel great, you've put the establishment in their place, well done sir.
if a store was going to kick me out after that, id probably tip my god damn cart over. Not that thats the smart move, but my super male vitality would be raging through my veins.
Well played my fren. You played the game well.
LOL... oh believe me, that incident definitely got the blood pumping for sure. Thanks, fren.
I had some cuck in Dollar General talking shit behind me about me and my girl not wearing a mask. it took all my restraint to not turn around. But I simple bought my shit and left.
I DAMN YOU TO HELL YOU POTBELLY GOBLIN GLOBALIST DOLLAR STORE MANAGER!
The manager is cool! Its the god damn POTBELLY BALDING FAGGOT BEHIND ME! GOD DAMMI! WHEN THE FUCK ARE WE GOING LIVE?!?
Yes. Apparently covid has helped many of us find our voices.
I have not worm a mask into a public place one time this year. Typically if you ignore them and keep walking they'll leave you be.
If they're persistent leave the goods where you are and take your business elsewhere. Support companies that support you.
Me and my wife would routinely drive 40 minutes for lunch because a restaurant lost their franchise over refusing to mandate masks. They've had more business then they've ever had because of it.
It doesn't end until we make it end. We have the power. " We just forgot how to play ". Good for u. Thanks for being brave and doin ur part.
Doesn't anyone wonder when these business owners are all going to ban together and say "Enough is enough, no more Dirty Communist Face Diapers!" How much damn money do some of these moronic people need to lose before they get mad???
Yes, I understand. I feel the same way. I hate confrontation too. I don't wear masks either, so I know what you're going through. I always prepare myself before entering a store & tell myself that if they say something, that I'll just leave. Usually nothing happens, but when it does, it leaves me with a bad feeling that sort of lingers.
I'm happy to hear that you got a good response back. :)
Strong work! We have to take back ground from these people. I feel like we have been giving up ground for the last year and finally people are starting to wake up and take back their rights. More people need to stand up to this b/c when these dictators (and make no mistake all of these ass wipes are dictators flexing the little power they think they have) get shut down the great awakening really starts! Congrats for your victory
I actually thought about you today when I walked into my grocery store without a mask. It was an Aldi store and I only go there when I need certain things that my locally owned store doesn’t carry. Locally owned store has no mask requirement. Anyway, Aldi has their mask mandate plastered all over the place. Despite that, I pulled up my big girl panties and strutted right on in. I walked every aisle without issue. Only one other person was without a mask. When I got to the checkout I fully expected to be questioned. It was the manager running the register and his masked slipped down a bit. He pulled it up and looked at me and said, “I hate this damn mask!” That was it. Never have i felt so invigorated after grocery shopping. And it was your original post that motivated me. I’m glad you got some vindication!
That is awesome to hear. Sometimes I feel like I'm all alone in this but I remember my frens here are all in as well. Such a great feeling to know we've got each other. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for fighting the good fight
It is a big deal. Thank you.
They are pushing for someone to go postal, that's what they want. Great job on how you handled it.
Exactly
I'd go back in at the same time/day without a mask and specifically ask for that manager and see if she's aware of the policy now.
Haha, it is so tempting. I honestly just wanna be left alone but I will definitely not be hiding if I see that manager again. Might even walk past and say "HI" lol.
Bullies need to be fought back against. They should equally be open to public shaming.
Give her a big toothy smile.
This is a big deal. You didn't cave. You took action. You didn't get that instant gratification we can hope for when we know we are in the right, but you were patient and it paid off.
My husband went shopping with the kids and everyone was fine except the cashier who was a total cunt. My husband put her in her place and then went and told management; management, to his surprise, said Barbara was completely out of line to do that!
Ha! STFU Barbara, ring up my stuff, take the money and have a nice day.
Good job, patriot!
Barbara . DO MY BIDDING.
Lol. Went into an IHOP last week Arkansas for breakfast. Walked right in, sat down and had breakfast. As my colleague and I got out to the parking lot I realized I had left my keys at the table. Walked back in and a new, young hostess gal about 20 yrs old says “I’m gonna need you to put a mask on” as I was walking past her into the dining room. I replied “no you’re not” and kept walking to the table. “Yes I am” she says again as she is walking beside me. “No, you’re really not going to and there’s nothing you can do about it” I replied as I picked up my keys and walked back out.
Man I just love it when someone making $8/hr suddenly thinks they have some authority over you and get put in their place. Fucking wannabe dictators are everywhere. Had that little twat Gabe me shit on my way in it would have been Waffle House next door. We all have options!
Right on brother. I am in Texas right now enjoying not wearing a mask. When I go home to CA, I will enjoy testing the limits. Might not be able to shop at Trader Joe’s anymore cuz they guard the doors, but will be fun seeing what I can get a way with. Texas giving me the courage
Glad to hear TX is rubbing off on ya! That’s actually where I live - Arkansas area I’m working in is just 2 hours East of me by Texarkana. I’m actually only 4 miles to the Red River and Oklahoma as well. Moved here about 8 years ago - it’s generally a very conservative area.
My favorite place during this whole shebang was a BBQ place in Texarkana, AR that had a sign on their front door saying something to the effect (I’m paraphrasing now)
“The choice to wear a mask is yours but we would like you clean your plate. Naaman’s in no way supports communism so you will not be questioned here.”
Now that is a place we eat at ALOT! There are always other choices and I’m OK going somewhere else. I always try to use the medical exemption routine and it works 98% of the time - have found a few mask Nazis that wouldn’t let it go and apparently were willing to sacrifice their jobs to try to make me wear one. LOL. I wear a mask to enter gyms a few times a week where our kids play homeschool sports against other homeschools and Christian Academies etc but they let you take them off as soon as you get through admissions. I’m willing to suffer that to see my kids compete in their sports they love.
So when are leaving CA behind for good....?
We have been checking out hill country and intended to check out the Tyler area by where you are talking about but running out of time before I need to get back to work in CA. Plus not making as much ground as I thought with 3 toddlers in tow, but they are having fun. Tonight in Corpus Christi with this cold front moving in and about to head back. Been loving all the Trump 2020 billboards everywhere and saw a sign in New Braunfels that put it succinctly “The Government’s job is not to protect your health, it is to protect your rights.” I couldn’t agree more!
I’m going to sell my house and move out here within 6 mo. The school situation has lit the fire to get out of CA as fast as possible. My kid’s school still won’t re-open. Teachers think they are so special for some reason, more special then the kids. I blame the unions. Anyways we are out of there. I grew up there 3rd generation Californian and live 5 blocks from the beach, what a blessing, but man with all that even, what a shithole it has become. No place to raise a family. Sheeple everywhere.
We are actually looking at Christian homeschooling, as public schools are fucked no matter where you go. Has it been hard to get them into sports while homeschooling? My biggest hesitation is them not having the sports.
I am near Paris TX. Great homeschool community and we have PAHAA (look up website). There’s boys and girls basketball ages 10u up to varsity and girls volleyball (my wife coaches the older Girls) and these are very competitive groups. They have a great organization and a network of other great homeschool teams and Christian academies etc to play. Some of the other good ones I see that we play often are CHESS(Sulfur Springs area - maybe getting close to Tyler) and CHAMP (Mount Pleasant area.
Yeah we’re done w public schools even here as my kids will not wear masks....and the next step will be mandated Covid vaccines to attend so we are done. I had one boy going to North Lamar near Paris basically to play football - that’s done. He’s switching to basketball in the homeschool league.
Feel free to keep chatting if you have anymore questions. Good luck getting the hell out of CA ASAP!
That homeschool network sounds amazing. Can’t wait to get the F out. Texas here I come!!!
Nice chatting with ya!
This is awesome! Thanks for sticking up for yourself, and if I might ask which store was it? Maybe it would help other people who have medical exemptions as well. Have a great day
WinCo in WA state.
I hate that state. The politics, not the region
Good to know thank you
Big dick energy!
"I pretty much hate going anywhere now..." This is me! And I'm sick of it. ?
I wish I could give you 100 upvotes. I, too, avoid confrontation like this, and it takes all I can muster to boldly go in stores without one. Bravo to you for pursuing it this far. I do stuff like this too as a matter of principle because I feel I have to. Glad for the response. Thanks for sharing. It continues to encourage people like me to stand our ground.
The crazy thing is that those first few months were the worst but I got through it. I'd been shopping without a mask for months without a single issue until that day. Kinda shocked me, tbh. Guess I knew the day was coming sooner or later.
So yeah, I knew this wouldn't be easy. But like you said, it's a matter of principal. I feel like I HAVE to do this no matter how uncomfortable it makes me. Stay strong bro.
Good stuff ????
Wooohoooo! Good for you for emailing and speaking up!
If you live in the US, just tell them if they push any further, they are violating HIPPA laws. Those are medical laws, and EVERY grocery store in america (especially if they have a pharmacy) knows about them.
I had a guy ask for a doctors note the other day. I asked him if he wanted me to prove I wasn't a Jew. That shut him right the fuck up.
True story, I haven't worn a mask in a store yet. Just walk around with a pissed off expression on your face and nobody bothers you. One guy bothered me once at the door and I just smiled, said hello, and walked by him. If I'm asked to leave I'll just go somewhere else, but it hasn't happened yet. This could be because the local sheriff said they will not be enforcing anything related to wearing masks.
I pretty much hate going anywhere now due to the anxiety of whether I'm going to get humiliated and kicked out of a store over their stupid masks
Me too, BUT THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT.
Cabal want you afraid of confrontation; subjugated and self imposing exile.
You don't need a medical exemption. You need a legitimate government; not Biden, not China and its viruses.
Any company who knows anything support medical exemptions. They would be facing stiff federal fines for violations of the ADA if they truly took that stance.
Costco is asshoe. They don't give two fucks if you have a medical exemption. Blatantly trampling over individual rights. I've had it. I feel helpless because I need their products for my bakery business. Maybe I can go to Sam's Club. I hear they are more lenient.
Yeah I was going into Costco with no mask up until their new policy where they would not honor medical exemptions. Still don't understand how they can get away with that but whatevs.