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A Filipino domestic worker shared a disturbing experience about being wrongly suspected of shoplifting in a supermarket.
Recently, Pia Piatot, a Facebook user, shared her experience in a supermarket after being accused of shoplifting. The post immediately spread like wildfire on social media, drawing reactions from netizens.
The household help went to the supermarket early in the morning to buy some things. Since she only needed an onion and an egg, she didn’t use a basket. However, while browsing, she noticed a sale on bread and decided to pick up a loaf.
With the cash register still closed, she continued to look through the aisles, briefly considering vitamins and other sale items, but ultimately decided to stick to her budget.
Piatot later remembered that she needed noodles and added a packet before going back to pay. When no cashier was available, Pia decided to use the self-service machine for the first time.
Although she was unfamiliar with the process, she managed it successfully and was about to complete her transaction using her mobile payment app.
Suddenly, an older store employee came up to her. Instead of helping, the staff accused Pia of not paying for her things, specifically pointing out the bread. Shocked by the accusation, Pia calmly showed her receipt and completed her payment to prove her innocence.
The incident left Pia feeling hurt and discouraged. She talked about how her work as a domestic worker often exposes her to unfair judgments and discriminatory treatment. She emphasized that her job does not define her value and that she, like anyone else, deserves to be treated with respect and fairness.
in another post, a video of Pinay domestic worker who regularly suffers from nosebleeds goes viral
Here is the full message:
“Do I deserve an apology or should I just let it be?
This morning I went to the supermarket to buy some things. They happened to open so I was the first customer. I wander around without taking a cart or basket with me because all I want to do is grab an onion and an egg. But then I saw some sales in the bread department, so I grabbed one. Then I went to the counter to pay. But it was still close, so I thought about grabbing some Vit. it’s payday too, maybe i can reward myself with a little extra. But then I decided that maybe I don’t need it and it’s not on my budget list.
So I went back to the counter, but before that I passed the sales section and looked to see if I could find anything, but decided not to buy one either. Then I remembered that I needed some noodles for our breakfast, so I went to that section and grabbed a pack.
I got back to the counter and there’s still no one to look at my stuff. So I decided to use the machine.
I wasn’t very familiar with the self-service machine, but everything was so easy to follow, so I completed the transaction smoothly. When I was about to finish, I topped up my octopus card for my yuu points, and then I grabbed my phone so I could pay via Alipay.
Just then a little old lady came, I thought she was there to help me. But then she suddenly said, “You didn’t pay, I saw you, there’s CCTV here and there”.
I said “yes I was about to look”, then I look for my Alipay account and complete the payment. She points to the bread “What about that, have you paid for it yet?” I said yes, you can check the receipt.
I was so furious that I paid and suddenly I was accused of shoplifting when I hadn’t even put the items in my bag. She walked out, so I packed up and left.
As a domestic worker, I have experienced various forms of abuse, but this was the worst. Why do people label us as a domestic worker and conclude that we are up to no good. Yes, I am a domestic helper, I am so proud of it. And I work as hard as anyone. We may not earn the same amount, but we all strive for the same thing.
Do I deserve an apology or should I just let it be?
We are treated according to our label, as a domestic worker I came across several individuals, and I have experienced all kinds of indifference. But even though I am a domestic worker, I am not just a domestic worker, I deserve equal treatment in a store because I am a customer. Being treated like a criminal without any evidence is so heartbreaking.
“as if itatakbo ko ang tinapay nilang sale eh kayang kya ko gumwa ng tinapay sourdough pa joke lng..”
The social media users expressed their reactions to the after:
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