The New York Times reports that a study conducted by Rice University students suggests that “obese shoppers routinely suffer rude and dismissive treatment at the hands of sales clerks” and that “sales clerks act unfriendly, neglect to smile, avoid eye contact and end interactions prematurely when dealing with overweight customers.”
Apparently there were degrees to their rudeness. Fat people who dressed well, or who carried diet sodas and chatted about being on a diet, generally were treated better than badly dressed fat people who didn’t show any remorse about their condition. The students visited various retailers in their own garb, then donned “fat suits” and returned to visit the same retailers and gauge the difference in their treatment.
Apparently there were degrees to their rudeness. Fat people who dressed well, or who carried diet sodas and chatted about being on a diet, generally were treated better than badly dressed fat people who didn’t show any remorse about their condition. The students visited various retailers in their own garb, then donned “fat suits” and returned to visit the same retailers and gauge the difference in their treatment.
- KC's View:
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Think we need a little consciousness raising here?
Bias is bias. And this kind of stuff can sully a store’s image for a long time.
