This has been weighing on my mind for some time and I felt now was the right moment to speak out.
I walked into this salon after a desperate search for nail care. It was a last-ditch effort as the signage was unwelcoming to those unfamiliar with the language on it, but I decided to take a chance. Upon entering, the male nail technician gave me a disapproving look, almost as if questioning my presence or purpose there, even though he was nearly done with his current client. I inquired, "Excuse me, can you do my nails?" to which he responded, "fully booked." The fact that I perceived this as discrimination stemmed from the fact that this individual had just opened the shop and was sitting alone on their phone when I arrived. Instead of suggesting I return another day or at a different time, the interaction felt unwelcoming and dismissive, likely due to my appearance not fitting the typical clientele they were used to.
Ultimately, it was their loss in terms of potential customers, but establishments like this should be called out for such behaviour. This subtle discrimination has persisted for too long, and individuals should not be allowed to get away with such unwarranted actions.
I urge you to educate yourselves on the significant contributions made by diverse groups to the UK economy. Perhaps this will lead to a more positive shift in mindset. It's 2020! Time to broaden your horizons and move away from narrow-mindedness.