I visited Smyth Toys in Clydebank this…
I visited Smyth Toys in Clydebank this morning at around 10:05 am to buy birthday gifts for my grandson. I had just come from a long shift at work and still in my NHS uniform, tired but excited to pick out something special for him.
As I walked around the store, I noticed several staff member nearby, by none acknowledged me or offered help-despite clearly seeing me trying to choose items. Still, I picked out what I needed and proceeded to the till, where a woman was serving a customer.
A staff member called Martin approached the counter and served a white customer who was in front of me and she left. When I place my items on the counter, ready to be served next, Martin looked at me and walked away without saying a word no explanation, no courtesy. It was deeply uncomfortable and upsetting, especially as I appeared to be the Black woman in the store at the time. Eventually, a female staff member came to serve on Martin's till, and I am grateful to her for that.But the way Martin acted left me feeling disrespected, dismissed, and invisible. It felt like I was treated differently because of my skin colour. - and this is simply not acceptable.
I am sharing this and hope that Smyths takes real action steps to ensure every customer is treated with basic respect and dignity, regardless of race, background, or appearance.
This experience has truly left a sour taste in mouth, and I hope Martin will never make anyone to feel the way I felt today