Were they Asian, Muslim or Fundamentalist Christian, I ask that as these groups often have bias against gays in their countries and communities. Here in New Zealand we have a lot of migrants that bring old fashioned ideas about sexual orientation here and its these people that often end up working in service and retail based employment. In my case I would just walk out and not say a word, even though discriminating against someone because of their sexuality is illegal, what can you do, the law is hardly in the shop with you.

Fortunately we have a lot of Asian, Muslim and other migrants who don't have these hateful views and some Asian and Muslim gay people come here, so they can actually come out and get away from their cultural restraints. If its a fundy running the shop, why would you be in there anyway.
[Edited 3/24/10 2:56am]

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I know this is in hindsight, but you should have said, "Oh. You don't serve queers? That's good to know because I don't eat them and I don't patronize ass-holes. Have a good day."

That isn't really discrimination. It's just flat-out rudeness.

If he is the business owner, he has the right to carry whatever merchandise he likes (for now, anyway). All he really had to say when you asked for something he didn't have was, "I'm sorry, we don't carry that particular title."

Fortunately, you have the right not to patronize the business of someone you feel is a bigot.

Huggiebear said:

Asians don't have an anti-homosexual bias if they are from Buddhist countries (that accounts for millions of Asians).
There is some bias in India which has a large muslim population, and a great deal of discrimination in Indonesia, which of course is the largest muslim population in the world, though it is far more moderate than Africa. Basically anywhere that you have large populations of devout Abrahamic religions (Christian, Jewish, or Muslim), you'll have these attitudes. Look at how gays are treated in the USA! Or look at the devout Catholic Polish population and how they treat homosexuals--it's simply a matter of religious ferver and a non-secular attitude to me, not the ethnic makeup of the person. Certain countries just tend to have more devout people at this time. I would love to see this religious streak in humanity diminished with a healthy dose of atheist-friendly secularism.

I take some issue that Asians = anti-homosexual just because I know from experiencing that gays and lesbians enjoy a level of integration here in Thailand unheard of in the states or Europe. Gays our 'out' in their teens and they are not ridiculed or under any fear of harassment from their peers or society at large. I've taught plenty of classes with 'out' homosexuals and transgender kids and they are in no danger of harassment.

Why didn't you just buy the KitKat? They're yummy!

CuddlyBear said:

I would have.

My history of supporting rights for gays is well established here.

But I need to go out on a limb. Maybe what was meant was more of "we do not carry gay themed items." Sure the response was homophobic, but I susspect he would have sold you any of the times he did carry.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

As much as the newsstand worker's reply might rankle you, it's entirely possible that he harbors no ill will toward gay people. Some folks just don't express themselves very well - especially when they're caught off guard or are asked about something that is outside their frame of reference.

From the way you describe the incident, it's pretty clear the guy wasn't the brightest Crayola in the box.

Genesia said:

the clerk is still a homophobic bigoted prick that doesn't deserve to have your money. *I almost cussed! I must be ticked off over this*

OnlyNDaUsa said:

Do you like it when people draw conclusions about you on the basis of a brief, chance encounter?

As I said, he might be a virulent, anti-gay bigot (in which case, he deserves to lose customers). Or he might just be someone without much intellect or experience of the world. If the latter is the case and you attack him for something he doesn't understand or of which he has no experience, haven't you pretty much confirmed his narrow view of the world?

I could forgive a non-native english speaker for making a questionable comment that could be misinterpreted, but "we don't serve queers" is a pretty clear.

"we don't sell gay" might be more hazy but he seemed to understand the question (the second time around) and insert his own term for gay, and say they don't serve them. Not that much wiggle room IMO

Great, now I want some Kit-Kat...

Dave1992 said:

Sorry! We don't serve minors

PANDURITO said:

remember the kit kat song?


well you should have broken off a piece of your foot off in his ass!

PANDURITO said:

i agree with genesia and onlyndausa.

some people are just stupid. there is the possibility that he is a bigot, and there is the possibility he is just a moron.

either way, don't go back.

often straight people have no idea how offensive they are being.

i was in a stor in texas buying camping stuff for a trip, and the checkout girl was heavily flirting with me. i was flattered and sweet about it (without encouraging her). she got more and more flirty, so i casually mentioned that the camping stuff was for a trip my boyfriend and i were going on.

she asked if i was gay, and i said yes.

she sighed and said "what a waste of a cute guy."

i know she meant well, but i wanted to scream at her.

What a prick! He could have just said we don't stock that magazine.

cborgman said:

Next time, just pull out the Victor/Victoria line and assure her that it is definitely not wasted.

Genesia said:

i should have just whipped my cock out and been like "DOES THAT LOOK LIKE A WASTE TO YOU?!?!?"

cborgman said:

She might have laughed and said well now that I have seen how small it is i take it back.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

i ain't small. i am above average length and girth.

not giant, but better than average.

cborgman said:

but it would have been a good comeback

OnlyNDaUsa said:

no, this is a good comeback...



and this is my cock...


.
[Edited 3/24/10 14:37pm]

cborgman said:

Bullshit! Go back and buy the damn Kitkat! You'll be glad you did . Trust me!

CuddlyBear said:

as a gay man, the only way i would agree that he should go back is if he goes back, buys a big kitkat, proceeds to unwrap it, and then begins fellating it in front of the douche who said that to him.

cborgman said:

I do that all the time. What does being gay have to do with it?

CuddlyBear said:

the depth of how far you can fellate, mostly.

:rimshot:

all joking aside though, he shouldn't go back. whether the intent in saying "Sorry, we don't serve queers" was malicious or not, it's extremely stupid. the only reason to go back would be to inform the management (assuming he isn't) of how terribly the customers are being treated. but that place doesn't deserve dime one from him, any gay person, or any reasonable person.
[Edited 3/24/10 14:25pm]

cborgman said:

LOL i said Come Back!