how do you all feel about this situation? fair or foul?

LILBIT1221

My friend just posted on his FB (Sorry can't c&p) 

He was in line at the bank that he has been going to for over 10 years, the man in front of him (was a white man, flip flops, A&F looking kind of guy in a hat & sunglasses) went to the window, did his business & left. My friend who is from Hawaii and looks every bit the Hawaiian part, was in jeans, a collared work shirt, sunglasses & hat was asked to remove his hat & glasses before approaching the window. NOW, I see why he was asked to do this, but shouldn't the rule apply to everyone? When he asked why he was asked to do it, but the man in front of him was not he was told "he is my regular, I know him". 

What do you think?

Yules

Its quite possible that the lady knows the 1st guy. I wouldn't think anything of it if she said that. 

ougrad1

As sucky as it is with everything that's been going on in the world, I feel like they have a right to ask anybody they deem necessary to take hats, glasses, etc off. 

That being said, if I was the guy (your friend) I would be tempted to call the manager of the bank and politely let him/her know what happened.

 

pinkiemo

In theory I agree the rule should apply to everyone.  But do I think your friend should be offended by it?  No.

ThePolishHammer

If it's a rule, it should apply to everyone. Regulars or not. 

[Deleted User]

It's a bank rule, and it's for safety.  Everyone should follow it, even regulars.  I'd mention it to the manager if I were your friend.  I'd be willing to bet that the manager also thinks the regular should have done it too. 

LILBIT1221

Like I said, I would have asked him too if that is policy, however I think if they ask one person to do it, I think they should ask all people to do it. If nothing else to avoid making people feel like crap.

kllrbnny

I understand the policy, too. I wish I could ask people to take off their sunglasses at work, its creepy talking to someone without eyes.

I believe that the teller knows the guy, too. I've been going to the same bank for years and the teller that has been there the whole time knows me by name, asks about my sister and my kids.

With that being said, since there were other customers in the bank with whom she knew she was going to have to inforce the policy she should have just asked the regular to comply. To be polite and fair and avoid any appearance of favoritism or discrimination.

Kitiara5512

BostonKisses2:

I understand why they do this as well.  However, the policy applies to everyone, regardless of if they're a regular or not, and both men should've been asked to remove their hat and sunglasses.

It doesn't matter if the teller knows the person, the purpose of removing the hat and glasses is for the security cameras in case the video surveillance is needed. Regulars commit crimes too, and the police doesntgiveashit that the dude may have been coming in there for years if they cant see enough of the guys face to put it on the news.

I would complain to bank management.

hmp1

I don't think it is fair but it wouldn't phase me once she said the other guy is a regular and they know him. It's kind of like going to a bar and not getting carded because you are a regular. They are still suppose to card you every time, but they don't.

blush64

Yules:

Its quite possible that the lady knows the 1st guy. I wouldn't think anything of it if she said that. 

I agree with this.

OP, I am white and when I go to the bank that I don't normally go to or I am with a teller who doesn't know me I am treated differently than someone they know as a regular customer. I think it's fairly common. (right or not)

The same rules should apply to everyone but I don't think this is a case of your friend being treated differenly because of race. It sounds like the woman knew the one man and didn't know your friend.

EDIT I wouldn't complain to the manager over this.

ShellShockedMama

DH and I are white, we rarely go inside, when we do, we have to remove glasses/hats. I wouldn't think there was anything nefarious going on. But Id think to promote a sense of fairness to all customers, and since it is a rule to enhance safety, the rule should be applied across the board.  

Wufroggy79

BostonKisses2:

I understand why they do this as well.  However, the policy applies to everyone, regardless of if they're a regular or not, and both men should've been asked to remove their hat and sunglasses.

This.

Kissimi21

hmp&mrj:

I don't think it is fair but it wouldn't phase me once she said the other guy is a regular and they know him. It's kind of like going to a bar and not getting carded because you are a regular. They are still suppose to card you every time, but they don't.

That was pretty much my first impression.  If someone has been a regular client for 10 years and is well known by the cashier, then I don't see any reason for your friend to feel insulted if that person wasn't asked to remove his glaases and hat.  It's not a racial discrimination thing, it's a I know him but I don't know you thing.  Would your friend have felt insulted if the regular client was anything other than white?  

I'm not trying to get into a racism debate, but there are times when people feel like they are being slighted because of race/gender/sexuality/age/weight/etc... when the reality is none of those things is a factor.