February 2021 by Kaliope E.
Horrible experience here. I don't live in Airdrie, so it's very fair to say i will never be visiting this location ever again. I went to grab two items for my bunny. I approached the checkout and this young girl, 18-20 was working. Long light-orange hair, pale skin, skinny. She was checking my stuff out for me. The first act of disrespect was when she put the litter on the counter next to her, it was below her, so she dropped it. I didn't say anything because I thought maybe she thought it was lighter. When I gave her my money to pay for my items, she said, "you know we require masks in here, right?" Once again, I have a medical condition that prohibits me from wearing any face covering. So I kindly replied, "oh yeah I know, I just have a medical exemption. I can't wear masks unfortunately." And she said, "you still need to wear one." and I replied, "I can't... I have an exemption, I have my card if you need to see it..?" And she started getting short and rude. She said sharply, "what's your exemption." To which I was shocked. And i said, "that's none of your business." and she started yelling at me telling me i need a mask and i couldn't be in there. Everyone was staring it was quite uncomfortable. So she got mad and said, "I can't do this." and literally just walked away. Without giving me my change back. It's very unkind and very awful when ablesists are allowed working at stores and restaurant chains. I understand millions of people have suffered tragically from this virus, as have I. I have lost relatives because of this plague. But to be shamed because I medically can not wear a face covering, is incredibly discriminatory and very appalling. That experience was shocking, and disgusting. I hope she got fired for that. She was yelling at a paying customer. For someone to walk into a store, and buy products that you are selling, a fraction of my money is being sent to her. As a paying customer, I deserve to be respected and not discriminated against.
