How do I approach this?

[Tizzy]

I was recently shopping in a big-name baby/children's clothing store and as I checked out, the cashier whispered in her co-workers ear and then said "And she was like just sitting there nursing her baby in front of everyone! It's not like anything was showing, but she like didn't even have a blanket covering her up or anything!"

This is a store that has a "breastfeeding room" available as listed at the mall's customer service desk, in a state that according to this site "has laws with language specifically allowing women to breastfeed in any public or private location".

I was offended but wasn't thinking quick enough to respond appropriately or even in a witty way.
It bugged me the rest of the afternoon, so I was going to stop in and say something briefly to this girl on my way back but had left.

Now I feel the urge to e-mail the company because really, I found her comments rude and they really made me uncomfortable. Especially considering that the last time I shopped at that particular store, I nursed my child there without a blanket. Who knows what was said behind my back but in front of other customers

What do you suggest I say? Do you think it will even matter if I contact the company or not? The store is too far away for me to speak with the manager about the issue...

[zinemama]

I'm confused. Was she whispering about you to her co-worker?

[smpayne]

If this is a major chain, write a letter or e-mail through thier website, these are usually refered back to the store manager anyway. If the complaint is in writing, they can not ignore it and it holds more weight than a phone call anyway. Every little step helps.

[babygirlsmama]

I agree! I would put your complaint in writing. It can't hurt and can only help.

Especially if the store's official policy is pro bfing, it should encourage them to educate their sales staff.

[babygirlsmama]

Oh...and I was thinking...if you slant your complaint to say that you frequent the store in large part because of their official policy...that will get their attention, then with the point that the sales girls' comment went a long way to destroy your goodwill toward the store.

[sapphire_chan]

For the future, you should have called her out at the time. Even if she wasn't talking about you, it'd teach her to watch her gossiping mouth.

[KirstenMary]

Do you know for certain that the cashier was referencing a woman who was bfing in the store? From what you posted, it sounds like it could have happened anywhere, and if that's the case, I wouldn't say anything.

But if you know for sure that they were talking about an in-store bf-er, I would write or call the manager.

[ishyfishie]

Originally Posted by KirstenMary

Do you know for certain that the cashier was referencing a woman who was bfing in the store? From what you posted, it sounds like it could have happened anywhere, and if that's the case, I wouldn't say anything.

But if you know for sure that they were talking about an in-store bf-er, I would write or call the manager.

At first I didn't understand what you were saying, but I get it now--like maybe she was talking about it happening at some other place or event?

Regardless, I still think it should be addressed. Talking negatively about a nursing mother in full hearing of customers is inappropriate, but particularly so in a store with a pro-bfing policy. The angle of the complaint might be different if OP is/isn't sure she was talking about a customer, but those comments would still make me uncomfortable nursing in the store even if this girl was talking about her SIL's brother's cousin nursing on top of the Empire State Building, because the employee should be acting professionally (ie not gossiping in front of customers) and because her attitude is counter to the store's official policy.

[KirstenMary]

Originally Posted by ishyfishie

At first I didn't understand what you were saying, but I get it now--like maybe she was talking about it happening at some other place or event?

Regardless, I still think it should be addressed. Talking negatively about a nursing mother in full hearing of customers is inappropriate, but particularly so in a store with a pro-bfing policy. The angle of the complaint might be different if OP is/isn't sure she was talking about a customer, but those comments would still make me uncomfortable nursing in the store even if this girl was talking about her SIL's brother's cousin nursing on top of the Empire State Building, because the employee should be acting professionally (ie not gossiping in front of customers) and because her attitude is counter to the store's official policy.

I disagree. If the event did not happen in the store, the cashier was exercising her right to free speech. Consequently, what should be addressed is the cashier's unprofessionalism.

JMO.

[ishyfishie]

Originally Posted by KirstenMary

I disagree. If the event did not happen in the store, the cashier was exercising her right to free speech. Consequently, what should be addressed is the cashier's unprofessionalism.

JMO.

I guess I didn't clarify well enough--that's exactly what I meant by the complaint might be from a different angle if the OP isn't sure she was discussing a customer, but that I still think a complaint is justified. However, I DO think the specific nature of the comment being contrary to the store's bfing policy is still relevant to the complaint either way, because an employee's carelessness made a customer uncomfortable following the store's policy.

[womenswisdom]

Originally Posted by KirstenMary

I disagree. If the event did not happen in the store, the cashier was exercising her right to free speech. Consequently, what should be addressed is the cashier's unprofessionalism.

JMO.

The employer still has a right to regulate the speech of its employees while at work, even if the employee's remarks did not involve a customer. The right to free speech pertains only to governmental suppression of speech.

[KirstenMary]

Originally Posted by womenswisdom

The employer still has a right to regulate the speech of its employees while at work, even if the employee's remarks did not involve a customer. The right to free speech pertains only to governmental suppression of speech.

Well, in that case, she should go for it.

[mammal_mama]

Yes, I think that even if she wasn't talking about an incident in the store, it's still not right to say things like that in front of customers. It would be like making a racist or sexist comment -- I guess that's not illegal, but it's still not professional ...

I mean, I guess you have a "right" to tell a customer that you think she's overweight or that her butt's too big to wear those jeans she's trying on -- but common sense just tells you that's not good customer service.

And respecting your breastfeeding customers is just another aspect of good customer service.