# Discrimination at CVS against Asians? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 18, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082 "2013-04-18T23:31:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/41 "2013-04-23T18:16:36Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > again, where is the soul crushing insult? A person of Asian heritage is referred to as a person of Asian heritage. If someone in Japan wrote “snuffy smith” in Japanese on my ticket I wouldn’t be crushed. Dude, really? “Ching Chong” = “reference to a person of Asian heritage” in _Magiver’s New American Dictionary_? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/42 "2013-04-24T05:24:10Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Dude, really? “Ching Chong” = “reference to a person of Asian heritage” in _Magiver’s New American Dictionary_? really. This is beyond thin skinned. This lady is trolling for dollars. It’s not like they got on the microphone and said: “rice paddy afterbirth cleanup on aisle 5”. It was a mental note for the person filling the prescription. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/43 "2013-04-24T06:26:18Z")
I find it bizarre that you don’t see how that could be insulting. When I was at school kids would use Chinese “words” to mock Asians; they would chant things like “ching chong chang” and pull their eyes back to make “slanty eyes” - there is no way that is a neutral way to refer to anyone. If the person had used simply “Asian lady” that would have been fine. ETA: I agree that the million dollars is a bit much. Personally I’d be happy with an official apology and the employee in question getting fired. ---
**Author:** ![David\_H\_Singanas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@David\_H\_Singanas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_H_Singanas)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/44 "2013-04-24T07:08:54Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > I find it bizarre that you don’t see how that could be insulting. When I was at school kids would use Chinese “words” to mock Asians; they would chant things like “ching chong chang” and pull their eyes back to make “slanty eyes” - there is no way that is a neutral way to refer to anyone. If the person had used simply “Asian lady” that would have been fine. > > ETA: I agree that the million dollars is a bit much. Personally I’d be happy with an official apology and the employee in question getting fired. HazelNut, I believe the plaintiff was there at CVS to pick up photos not meds. I don’t think a pharmacist would have been that crass. But the photoshop people at Walgreens and CVS receive only OJT and are not usually degreed. Hey I was in your country back in the day. I remember the first time it was… Inchon during the cabbage harvest. Cabbages were everywhere. In carts, in wagons, in the streets. I love boiled cabbage with butter and some pepper. Yum. ```Singanas ``` ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/45 "2013-04-24T07:32:13Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > I find it bizarre that you don’t see how that could be insulting. When I was at school kids would use Chinese “words” to mock Asians; So. When I was in school kids mocked everybody and everything. Unless it can be established that this was intended for public consumption it smacks of the thought police. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/46 "2013-04-24T13:08:58Z")
It was printed on the label. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/47 "2013-04-24T13:11:02Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > So. When I was in school kids mocked everybody and everything. Unless it can be established that this was intended for public consumption it smacks of the thought police. Sorry, to me it smacks of behavior police. The company should have such to ensure its agents don’t insult the paying customers. And the company in this case says they have a zero tolerance policy against discrimination but it seems that, in fact, they have a zero enforcement policy. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/48 "2013-04-24T13:40:34Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > I find it bizarre that you don’t see how that could be insulting. When I was at school kids would use Chinese “words” to mock Asians; they would chant things like “ching chong chang” and pull their eyes back to make “slanty eyes” - there is no way that is a neutral way to refer to anyone. If the person had used simply “Asian lady” that would have been fine. It’s racial privilege. Those who ARE members of the dominant social grouping (whether skin color, religion, orientation, gender or whatever) will NEVER have the same reactions to slurs that those who aren’t will. That’s why stuff like “she’s so thin-skinned…I’d never react that way to being called a honkey!” is such bullshit. There’s a HUGE difference between being called the n-word and being called a honkey in US society. There’s a huge difference between getting a receipt with “big-nose” on it and getting a receipt with “ching chong” on it from a US business. Privilege blinds, and that’s pretty obvious from what certain people are posting here. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/49 "2013-04-24T14:04:55Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > It’s racial privilege. Those who ARE members of the dominant social grouping (whether skin color, religion, orientation, gender or whatever) will NEVER have the same reactions to slurs that those who aren’t will. That’s why stuff like “she’s so thin-skinned…I’d never react that way to being called a honkey!” is such bullshit. There’s a HUGE difference between being called the n-word and being called a honkey in US society. There’s a huge difference between getting a receipt with “big-nose” on it and getting a receipt with “ching chong” on it from a US business. Privilege blinds, and that’s pretty obvious from what certain people are posting here. Hazel is Asian. This is a one off, stupid thing that happened. Warning the kid and giving him extra training is appropriate. Unless this is the kid’s second offense or their has been a history of this, the law suit is insane and opportunistic. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/50 "2013-04-24T14:38:43Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > So. When I was in school kids mocked everybody and everything. Unless it can be established that this was intended for public consumption it smacks of the thought police. You were arguing that being called “ching chong” is the same as being called an old dude. It isn’t even close. I am really boggled by your insistence that it is simply a descriptor. Whether it was meant for “public consumption” or not, the fact is that it is a slur. You can argue that the employee shouldn’t be punished for being indiscreet, that the employee would have never actually used it to someone’s face, but that is a completely different matter. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/51 "2013-04-24T14:59:21Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Hazel is Asian. I know. I wasn’t saying that SHE is a beneficiary of racial privilege. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/52 "2013-04-24T14:59:36Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Hazel is Asian. That poster seemed to have been explaining to her why the other poster apparently doesn’t grasp the gravity of the matter to the customer concerned. > [@](#): > > This is a one off, stupid thing that happened. Have you never heard the word [egregious](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/egregious?s=t)? Writing an insult, especially a racist insult, on material to be given to a customer is egregious. > [@](#): > > Warning the kid and giving him extra training is appropriate. Unless this is the kid’s second offense or their has been a history of this, the law suit is insane and opportunistic. I disagree on all points there. 1. By now, an adult in the working world in the US should be aware that one doesn’t write racist insults on material to be given to a customer. 2. Again, it’s egregious behavior. What if he’d slugged her? Does he get a second chance for that? What if the customer was Black and he wrote “the N word”? Is that good for a 2nd chance, too? 3. The lawsuit isn’t insane. The company evidently isn’t matching its actions to its words. Sad to say, about the only thing in the US that will get corporate attention to bad behavior is a hit to the pocket book. Taking the company to court is a good decision and will, hopefully, teach the company a lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/53 "2013-04-24T16:29:27Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > This is a one off, stupid thing that happened. Warning the kid and giving him extra training is appropriate. Unless this is the kid’s second offense or their has been a history of this, the law suit is insane and opportunistic. “Kid”? I reread the OP article; is there another source of info for this? Or would it be more egregious if the pharmacist was a 54 year old, 10 year veteran of the company? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/54 "2013-04-25T04:16:29Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Sorry, to me it smacks of behavior police. The company should have such to ensure its agents don’t insult the paying customers. And the company in this case says they have a zero tolerance policy against discrimination but it seems that, in fact, they have a zero enforcement policy. Was the customer not served in a timely manner? Was there a price discrepancy? Something wrong with the product? Did the clerk not say thank you mam, please come again? Is there any indication the clerk deliberately attempted to insult the customer? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/55 "2013-04-25T04:29:41Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > You were arguing that being called “ching chong” is the same as being called an old dude. It isn’t even close. I am really boggled by your insistence that it is simply a descriptor. Whether it was meant for “public consumption” or not, the fact is that it is a slur. You can argue that the employee shouldn’t be punished for being indiscreet, that the employee would have never actually used it to someone’s face, but that is a completely different matter. Yes, that’s what I’m arguing. I was standing there when he said it. It was said out loud and easily heard. This is in contrast to something not meant to be printed on a ticket. So unless it was meant to be printed out on the ticket this was a personal reminder. We had this same discussion about 3 fat chicks at a restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/56 "2013-04-25T04:51:17Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > It’s racial privilege. Those who ARE members of the dominant social grouping (whether skin color, religion, orientation, gender or whatever) will NEVER have the same reactions to slurs that those who aren’t will. That’s why stuff like “she’s so thin-skinned…I’d never react that way to being called a honkey!” is such bullshit. There’s a HUGE difference between being called the n-word and being called a honkey in US society. There’s a huge difference between getting a receipt with “big-nose” on it and getting a receipt with “ching chong” on it from a US business. Privilege blinds, and that’s pretty obvious from what certain people are posting here. the “n-word” versus… “Honkey”. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/57 "2013-04-25T06:06:05Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Was the customer not served in a timely manner? Was there a price discrepancy? Something wrong with the product? Did the clerk not say thank you mam, please come again? > > Is there any indication the clerk deliberately attempted to insult the customer? Don’t be ridiculous. Of course there’s an indication the clerk deliberately insulted the customer. That’s what set the whole thing off. Honestly, in this thread, you’re acting like someone I know who, to this day, insists that “Jap” is not a slur. It is a slur and so is what the CVS clerk wrote. The clerk insulted the customer. The company’s lackluster response to that is getting the company what they deserve. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/58 "2013-04-25T06:25:12Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Don’t be ridiculous. Of course there’s an indication the clerk deliberately insulted the customer. That’s what set the whole thing off. Honestly, in this thread, you’re acting like someone I know who, to this day, insists that “Jap” is not a slur. It is a slur and so is what the CVS clerk wrote. The clerk insulted the customer. The company’s lackluster response to that is getting the company what they deserve. unless I missed something this was not suppose to be viewed by anybody other than the clerk. She was not discriminated against in the transaction. At best, she was accidentally insulted. This is the thought police unhinged. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/59 "2013-04-25T06:36:23Z")
Oh, get off it. The clerk is an employee of the company. The woman was a customer. The clerk intentionally insulted the customer. The company had a lukewarm response to that. The woman is taking action to impress upon the company that the clerk’s action is wrong and so are the actions–rather, nonactions–of the company. And your defense of the clerk is ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082/60 "2013-04-25T06:51:45Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Oh, get off it. The clerk is an employee of the company. The woman was a customer. The clerk intentionally insulted the customer. The company had a lukewarm response to that. The woman is taking action to impress upon the company that the clerk’s action is wrong and so are the actions–rather, nonactions–of the company. > > And your defense of the clerk is ridiculous. I’m basing my opinion on the idea that the customer was not suppose to see it. If you looked at the article cited it showed a picture of something called a production receipt. I don’t think it’s the receipt the customer is suppose to see. If I’m wrong and the clerk INTENDED the customer to see it then it’s a different story. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discrimination-at-cvs-against-asians/656082.md?page=4)