Date: last friday Location: Starbucks
I was working @ starbucks enjoying my own drink from home and my daughter (11) and her friends were hanging out at shops in the area, as kids do on a half day in our town.
They came in, one said "I have to pee", and asked my daughter to go with. Knowing that the restrooms lock and you need the code to get in, I said "that's fine". For some unknown reason, I got up and wandered around the store, and back to my bag to pack up.
In a flash my daughter is at my side. "Mama, a man just came into the ladies bathroom".
I stood in shock as two girls who barely knew me and my daughter who clearly did NOT want mama bear to embarrass her watched me silently. Out of the women's bathroom comes a light in his loafers entitled f**k. Mid 20s, I can do what I want.....I was convinced my daughter could have taken him out.
I started to take two steps towards him, everything in my head was silent, and I heard, "Mama, DON'T". Not that I was going to embarrass her. I was ready to go full mama bear on this entitled fuck who thinks that it's HIS right to be in a women's bathroom.
Nope. Not on my watch.
I stop, compose, and turn towards the counter. Enter the starbucks employee who will comply to every "my body my choice" to keep her job.
Conversation goes as follows:
me: excuse me, I have a question?
barista known as Peyton (f): yes?
me: I was wondering what your restroom protocol is?
peyton: well, the bathrooms lock
me:: well those locks don't work well when a man just came into the women's bathroom.
(she looks at me like I'm lying and my daughter speaks up and backs up what happened)
here is where it gets good:
Peyton: well, he's......he's...... (clearly not wanting to point out that he's gay) me: he's what. Please tell me the excuse Peyton: he's...um.... me, getting louder: what? a MAN in a WOMENs restroom when there are CHILDREN in there?
Peyton dismisses me and turns away, saying I'm sorry you were uncomfortable with this.
I then pushed the issue, asking why the doors are locked, and then asking if she was a mother. Shocking fact: she's not.
After a few phone calls, come to find out that Peyton knows said gay in question, he is a former employee.
My chat with Starbucks corporate was a laugh, and I'll try to post the pics from the chat - after I asked the restroom protocol given to locations, the agent left the chat.
I am disgusted. Disgusted for the world my daughter is growing up in, disgusted that these vile things are being considered as "ok".
Please, patriots. Please help me get the word out about this. My daughter and her friends were shaken up by this. Their moms were in shock as well when I sat down with them later in the evening (meeting both of them the first time, too, lol) when the girls were having a sleepover.
Follow up:
A district manager spoke with my husband and was appalled. Apologized. Told him they would take actions.
Fuck that. I feel like I need to use my mouth on this.
Dang!
And don't assume your daughter could take him out. Maybe she could, but appearances can be deceiving. And who knows if the guy carries an ether-soaked cloth or something. Sticking with trusted friends has always been a good safety plan, but screaming loudly also works very well in a situation like your daughter's. Glad the girls were together and physically unharmed, and that you are getting the neighborhood to be watchful!
Yes, little girls should be taught to scream bloody murder at the top of their lungs if any man ever enters their restroom. That will discourage the practice.
I only think that she could have taken him out due to the fact that she knows to kick a man in the b@lls if needed -- and although he was in a tshirt / shorts / sandals combo, my dog is more masculine than he was.
Remember some of them may have taken the plunge and cut their balls off...
Surprise attacks tend to change the odds considerably. But since you were there, your assessment is better than mine. Most important is that they're all safe.