Screamed at and humiliated for having a backpack
Screamed at and humiliated — even though I’m a regular customer.
I’ve been shopping at this PENNY store near JLU Gießen three times a week for more than 8 months. I’m a regular customer, I do all my errands here, and I’ve never caused any trouble.
But one day, during checkout, the cashier suddenly screamed at me to show her my backpack — loudly, without explanation, and in front of everyone. She didn’t ask politely or discreetly. It was aggressive, public, and completely humiliating. I truly believe it was because of my appearance — I clearly stand out as a foreign shopper. Everyone in line turned to look, and I could feel their eyes judging me as if I had done something wrong.
If she had simply asked with basic respect, I would have cooperated immediately. But instead, I was treated like a suspect — even though there was no evidence, and even though I’m a familiar face in this store. At least, I thought I was.
I asked for a manager, hoping for professionalism. But nothing changed. There was no apology, no explanation — and as I left the store visibly upset, one of the staff members even laughed at me and replied to my question, “Why me?”, with:
“Because you have a backpack?”
Well — I’m a student. Having a backpack is completely normal when you're going to and from university. Am I being treated like a thief just for being a student with a bag?
Even the most basic idea that “the customer is king” wasn’t respected — not even 0.001%. As a regular, loyal customer, I was made to feel small, unwanted, and suspicious for no reason other than my appearance.
This is not just poor service. It’s disrespectful, unprofessional, and discriminatory. The moment I left was the moment I decided: I will never shop at this store again.
I’ll be filing a formal complaint and reporting this to the anti-discrimination office.
However, I will contact their costumer service to see what they have to say about this.
No one — especially regular customers — should be treated like this.