There’s something truly delightful about shopping for clothes in person. As you stroll through the aisles, especially the children’s section, you might find yourself thinking, “Why are these cute designs only made for kids?!” It’s a thought many have had—some of those styles are simply adorable, and you can’t help but wish you could wear them too.
One of our readers, who can actually tailor children’s clothing to fit her frame, shared her shopping experience with us—a trip that took a surprising turn after an encounter with a store employee.
“I’m 26, but I’m actually smaller than most kids’ sizes,” she explained. While browsing with her boyfriend, a staff member abruptly snapped at her, saying, “You’re too old for this section. Leave!” She followed the instruction, though confused, and kept an eye on what was happening.
Soon after, she noticed a couple walk into the section with their child. Wanting to point out the inconsistency, she jokingly told them, “Oh, sorry, you’re not allowed here unless you’re young.” She was trying to show how odd the earlier comment was. The couple, understandably, gave her a puzzled look. “Who are you to tell us that?” they asked. That’s when she realized her comment may have come off as rude. She didn’t blame them for reacting—after all, it wasn’t her place to say anything.
Just as she was about to explain herself, the same employee hurried over—not to her, but to the couple. She apologized profusely to them and clarified that anyone is welcome to shop in the children’s section, regardless of age. This was shocking to the reader. The same staff member had just treated her with a completely different tone. Had she forgotten what she said earlier?
“Wait a minute,” the reader said. “You told me I couldn’t be here!” She watched as the employee rolled her eyes. The parents, clearly unsettled by the entire ordeal, decided to call for a manager.
When the manager arrived, he listened to everyone’s version of events. The employee defended herself by saying she was just doing her job and accused the reader of causing trouble for the family. That raised an eyebrow.
When it was her turn, the reader calmly explained that she was there to shop and was told to leave solely because of her age. She pointed out that the staff member had contradicted herself and made her feel unwelcome. At this point, the manager’s expression noticeably changed.
She continued, “I only approached the other customers to warn them, so they wouldn’t be treated the same way I was.” She looked at the family and offered a sincere apology for how she had worded things and for dragging them into the situation. Thankfully, they accepted the apology and appreciated her intent.
The manager, now visibly flustered, pulled the employee aside. The reader overheard him quietly say, “We’ll talk about this later.” She suspected the staff member was already on thin ice, and from what she gathered, it wasn’t her first offense. The manager then returned to apologize on behalf of the store and assured everyone that there are absolutely no age restrictions in any department.
In the end, the reader did get the clothes she wanted. However, once outside, her boyfriend was visibly upset. He felt she should have just followed the employee’s directions and avoided making a scene. He even admitted to feeling embarrassed by her reaction.
She admitted that maybe she overreacted, but still believed she had a right to stand up for herself. “If there are no rules about adults shopping in the kids’ section, why was I singled out?” she asked. It was a question that lingered in her mind.
Now, she’s left wondering—did she make too much of the situation? Did she stand up for herself the right way? She’s still unsure whether it was all worth it. One thing’s for certain, though: she walked away with some really cute clothes!
Our Take:
You absolutely had every right to stand up for yourself. While your response was direct, it was appropriate given the situation. The employee treated you unfairly, and it’s perfectly reasonable to speak up when that happens. That said, next time, you might consider going directly to a manager rather than involving other shoppers—it could help prevent confusion or escalation.
Dealing with rudeness isn’t easy. But there are ways to handle it effectively. First, try to stay calm and respond politely. This can keep things from spiraling. Even if it doesn’t change the outcome, you can be proud of staying composed.
Secondly, remind yourself that their behavior is a reflection of them—not you. Use calming techniques like deep breathing or gentle affirmations to stay grounded.
Lastly, try to extend empathy. The staff member may have been having a rough day—though that doesn’t excuse her actions, it might help you approach things with more understanding. But if someone continues to be rude even after you’ve tried to handle things kindly, it’s okay to walk away.
Your boyfriend may have felt the incident wasn’t worth the trouble, but your feelings are valid. Fair treatment matters.
Moving forward, trust your instincts but choose your battles wisely. If something like this happens again, a calm conversation with management might be the most effective solution.