1 /5 It’s Ann Frank: I stopped at this shop on my way to Portland after work because my car started blowing smoke—something I’ve experienced before with a vacuum leak. I pulled in hoping for a quick check to stay safe on the road. Instead, the older white manager immediately asked if I even had money to pay for $5 worth of oil before offering any help, and he refused to look at my car. As a 22-year-old African American, the way he spoke to me felt dismissive and unnecessary. Thankfully, a mechanic named Vincent actually came over and took the time to help, but the overall experience left me feeling disrespected and uncomfortable. I expected professionalism and basic decency—neither of which I got from the manager.
Thank you for your response. My intention in mentioning my race was not to cause offense, but to share how the interaction made me feel, as it is an important part of my experience. I understand that last-minute requests can be difficult to accommodate, and I appreciate the time Vincent and your team spent trying to help me.
However, I still felt dismissed and disrespected by the manager’s initial reaction, which impacted my overall experience. I hope this feedback can help improve how customers are treated, regardless of the situation or their background. Professionalism and respect are key to creating a positive experience for everyone.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my perspective.
