Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,978
Jun 25, 2014 20:07:06 GMT
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Post by Sarah*H on Jul 24, 2015 19:19:52 GMT
After reading the thread about the nephew's car, I thought I'd ask opinions about this situation. We're also in the North so the flag is not part of our cultural heritage. I live in a small suburb that is considered a bedroom community. An employee at the local Advanced Auto has mounted a huge confederate flag in the bed of his truck and he parks every day so that the flag waves in the wind over the highway. This part of the roadway is the gateway to our town so it's really one of the first things you see as you are driving into the community. It's the topic of discussion on the local politics page and while people have expressed unhappiness about it, the consensus is they just won't shop there anymore. So my question is - would you bother letting the manager know or would you just quietly take your business elsewhere. (This is an academic question for me since I don't shop at Advanced Auto. )
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Post by padresfan619 on Jul 24, 2015 19:21:23 GMT
I would just take my business elsewhere. I speak with my wallet.
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
Jun 26, 2014 5:57:41 GMT
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Post by Rainbow on Jul 24, 2015 19:21:39 GMT
It doesn't matter to me.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jul 24, 2015 19:22:28 GMT
between those two choices, I think I would let the management know because it's one of his employees who could negatively affect his business. The manager might want to do something about it. (or he won't, either, but at least you've let him know)
eta: but personally, it wouldn't matter to me one way or the other. Would you shop there on the days that employee wasn't working, because you didn't see the flag outside the place? or not shop there at all, because they employ someone who does display it? ...to me, those two lines of reasoning behind why someone wouldn't shop there don't make sense.
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,968
Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on Jul 24, 2015 19:25:28 GMT
I wouldn't do anything.
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Post by traceys on Jul 24, 2015 19:31:10 GMT
I probably wouldn't bother saying anything, unless there were some reason that I really wanted to keep shopping there and didn't feel like I could unless the owner took action. If that were the case, I might talk to him/her.
But I'm kind of with crimsoncat....that wouldn't really affect my decision about shopping there anyway.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 14, 2024 7:28:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2015 19:33:31 GMT
between those two choices, I think I would let the management know because it's one of his employees who could negatively affect his business. The manager might want to do something about it. (or he won't, either, but at least you've let him know) eta: but personally, it wouldn't matter to me one way or the other. Would you shop there on the days that employee wasn't working, because you didn't see the flag outside the place? or not shop there at all, because they employ someone who does display it? ...to me, those two lines of reasoning behind why someone wouldn't shop there don't make sense. The business owner is tacitly endorsing the flag if he's letting his employee continue to display it on the owner's private property, so I wouldn't want to support that business at all. If it was a store I regularly shopped at, I would tell them why I'd no longer be shopping there. If it was somewhere I rarely went, I probably wouldn't say anything, but wouldn't go back.
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Post by disneypal on Jul 24, 2015 19:43:02 GMT
I don't like confrontation, I'd probably just quietly take my business elsewhere if I was unhappy with the owner's decision to fly the flag.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jul 24, 2015 19:44:35 GMT
I won't shop there because I do nothing for our vehicles at all. Dh would still shop there even though he's from NY and has no connection to the flag being flown. He has very strong feelings that he fought for this country so others could fly the flags they want even if he doesn't agree with them.
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
Jun 26, 2014 5:57:41 GMT
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Post by Rainbow on Jul 24, 2015 19:45:35 GMT
It's not that big of a deal. You can't force everyone to get rid of every flag you see. Sigh. Move along.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,157
Jun 26, 2014 5:46:37 GMT
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Post by lindas on Jul 24, 2015 20:05:19 GMT
If that same vehicle was parked at the mall all day, everyday would you stop shopping at every store there until the management co tracked down the employee that owned it?
Really, it's time to let this go. The flag has been removed from state and federal property, beyond that it's no ones business what someone else chooses to do. Why do people feel it's there job to make everyone else conform to their way of thinking.
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Post by mzza111 on Jul 24, 2015 20:14:13 GMT
Unless the owner & manager are blind or never come to the store, they must approve of the worker flying that flag because it's still there. Personally, I'd find another business to support and I'd probably call and let the manager know. I'd be calm on the phone but very matter of fact.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 14, 2024 7:28:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2015 20:14:54 GMT
I live in a small town and there's 3 auto parts stores. I'd quietly take my business elsewhere. I can't say that I'd go out of my way to NOT shop there if that was the only option. I'd have to know more about the guy's intent. A FB friend (former co-worker) likes the confederate flag in the Dukes of Hazard/muscle cars kind of way. According to her it's looked at differently in her circle. Eh, who knows, maybe he's one of those guys.
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Post by anonrefugee on Jul 24, 2015 20:22:01 GMT
If the owner isnt able to correlate the two then I doubt he/she would listen to customer feedback about the subject.
He /she deserves the decrease in business. They must be ostriches to be so unaware of current events.
ETA re read OP- It's odd he posted it after recent events. That's not an ostrich that's someone with an opinion.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 14, 2024 7:28:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2015 20:33:56 GMT
I might let the business owner know via the business Facebook page. I would not want to have an in-person conversation about it.
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Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,978
Jun 25, 2014 20:07:06 GMT
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Post by Sarah*H on Jul 24, 2015 20:36:44 GMT
I left out some additional information that wasn't relevant to the question in my post but responds to this line of questioning. Over the last 2 weeks, four separate trucks in town started displaying the same flag at the same time so appears that it might be coordinated. One of the drivers of one of the other trucks seems to work at a business less than 1/4 mile from the Advanced Auto and the other truck. I wasn't here during the time frame in question but apparently he parked his truck in front of the place where he works for one day and after complaints to his boss from other business tenants in the shopping plaza, subsequently that truck has been parked behind the business where it can't be seen from the road.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 14, 2024 7:28:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2015 20:37:40 GMT
So...I am wondering how this really plays out for the store manager/owner. Do they fire the employee if they continue to have the flag posted on their truck? Do they have that right to do that? Do they demand that the employee park on the street or in other public spots? What if it were a bumper sticker? What if it were a window decal? A large rear window decal? Let's just jump way ahead and pretend that this truck owner is a unionized worker at a grocery store. And the truck is parked in their employee section every day. Would you stop buying groceries there? Would you as manager/owner demand that he stop flying the flag? sticker, decal, whatever? Do you even have that right? What about if the employee doesn't fly an offensive flag or sport an offensive sign...what if they were a KKK member in their free time? What if that came to the store manager/owner's attention? Say if potential or actual customers brought it to their attention? There is a world of difference between a bumper sticker in the employee parking lot and making a political statement like the OP described. "huge confederate flag in the bed of his truck and he parks every day so that the flag waves in the wind over the highway. This part of the roadway is the gateway to our town so it's really one of the first things you see as you are driving into the community." The business owner would be entirely within her rights to tell the employee that flag cannot be displayed on her property.
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
Jun 26, 2014 5:57:41 GMT
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Post by Rainbow on Jul 24, 2015 20:42:51 GMT
I left out some additional information that wasn't relevant to the question in my post but responds to this line of questioning. Over the last 2 weeks, four separate trucks in town started displaying the same flag at the same time so appears that it might be coordinated. One of the drivers of one of the other trucks seems to work at a business less than 1/4 mile from the Advanced Auto and the other truck. I wasn't here during the time frame in question but apparently he parked his truck in front of the place where he works for one day and after complaints to his boss from other business tenants in the shopping plaza, subsequently that truck has been parked behind the business where it can't be seen from the road. So?
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Post by SnowWhite on Jul 24, 2015 21:03:09 GMT
Really, it's time to let this go. The flag has been removed from state and federal property, beyond that it's no ones business what someone else chooses to do. Why do people feel it's there job to make everyone else conform to their way of thinking. These statements are funny to me, because, to me, you're telling people to confirm to your way of thinking by suggesting it's no one's business what other people do when it comes to spending my money. People have every right to do with their personal time, money, property and businesses what they see fit. I have every right to choose to spend my hard-earned money elsewhere as a result of their personal choices, whatever that might be. In response to this flag scenario, I wouldn't bother telling anyone why I was taking my business elsewhere, unless of course the owner personally asked me. But in this case, I would take my business elsewhere, in the same way that I take my business elsewhere when it comes to other companies whose corporate policies do not align with my own opinions.
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Post by gossamer on Jul 24, 2015 21:05:12 GMT
It is your right to shop wherever you choose. This is on an employees property, and shouldn't it be his right to have it? He may have had family that died fighting for the South.
I thought people were tolerant of other peoples belief... I guess only when they agree with them.
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Aug 6, 2014 23:57:56 GMT
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Post by happymomma on Jul 24, 2015 21:07:27 GMT
Oh geez. To quote my son, age 26, who is a productive member of society and intolerant of nonsense, " I'm sick of hearing about the confederate flag. Who gives a ______. Get back to work."
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 24, 2015 21:09:51 GMT
I wouldn't call because I am not a calling person. I might email.
I emailed the local Direct TV office because while the american and colorado flag had been lowered to half staff, the direct tv flag was still flying high. I emailed to let the know that was not okay. Had it not been changed, I might have gone in and talked to them.
I have a hard time personally equating the confederate flag to the nazi flag and I try to. I understand how both can represent the evils of the world. But I grew up in a time and place where the confederate flag was not used in a way to oppress black people, but rather as part of that teenage rebelliion stage that some never grew out of. I wore all black or heavy metal t-shirts that were typically anti-establishmentary. I think the teenagers around here saw the confederate flag and the Don't Tred on Me type thing in the same light.
I don't live in the South. I never have. I can't wrap my head around the racism that seems to exist there because I don't see it here. I think that may be the difference.
In this case it could be that the guys are pro-south and anti-black (not that they have to go hand in hand) or it may be that these people are speaking out about the censorship that seems to be going on, or it could be their way or protesting all the protests that have happened recently. It could be because they don't like Obama. It could be that they don't like him because he is black. Who knows what people think.
Hmmm...I seem to be wandering off topic here so I will stop.
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Post by SnowWhite on Jul 24, 2015 21:40:44 GMT
These statements are funny to me, because, to me, you're telling people to confirm to your way of thinking by suggesting it's no one's business what other people do when it comes to spending my money. People have every right to do with their personal time, money, property and businesses what they see fit. I have every right to choose to spend my hard-earned money elsewhere as a result of their personal choices, whatever that might be. In response to this flag scenario, I wouldn't bother telling anyone why I was taking my business elsewhere, unless of course the owner personally asked me. But in this case, I would take my business elsewhere, in the same way that I take my business elsewhere when it comes to other companies whose corporate policies do not align with my own opinions. But Snow White, the business is not displaying the flag. If it were, boycott away. There have been plenty of southern businesses that I have refused to patronize on the basis of displaying the flag. Back when it was evidently no big deal. If there is an auto parts store with a confederate flag in their window or flying from their roof, I am only buying a car part there if I am broken down in front of it and it is getting dark. If there is a privately owned car displaying a flag, I am avoiding dealing with the owner of the car as best as possible. Penalizing others isn't quite fair. No, but in my mind, as long as the owner of the company has not stopped their employee from parking out front of the business with that flag, they are complicit in the action and thus, I will hold them responsible as if they agree.
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Post by sunraynnc on Jul 24, 2015 22:19:03 GMT
Southern gal here. A big, flapping flag of any kind is probably not street legal. It can impair vision or come loose while driving.
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,616
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:09 GMT
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Post by basketdiva on Jul 24, 2015 22:24:09 GMT
We each have to make our own choices where to spend our money. If business drops significantly, I'm sure the owner will figure out why. People have many reasons they don't shop at a particular place- prices, religious views of the owner, they know one person who had bad customer service, the "cutesy" spelling of the store name. Yes, I've seen people on various boards say they won't shop at store that spells "old" Olde or "shop" Shoppe.
I'm not going to get into what might possibly be a heated discussion on the issue. Too many other places will take my money.
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,464
Jun 29, 2014 14:40:44 GMT
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Post by casii on Jul 24, 2015 22:35:48 GMT
Don't give the business your money. If you feel led, let the business know why you won't be shopping with them.
I'm in MD, so technically, below the Mason-Dixon line, but try telling that to anyone actually living in Maryland. I run through a local cemetery where Francis Scott Key is buried and noticed a couple of weeks ago that someone erected an enormous Confederate flag on a hill in the cemetery. I know people have complained, but according to the folks managing it, what is displayed on a family plot is up to the family.
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Post by lucyg on Jul 24, 2015 22:51:24 GMT
It's not that big of a deal. You can't force everyone to get rid of every flag you see. Sigh. Move along. Rainbow, just out of curiosity, if the giant flag waving from the bed of an employee's truck parked smack in front of the business and clearly visible from the highway said "Keep Abortion Legal," would you still be saying no big deal, move along ... would you still shop at this business?
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Post by lucyg on Jul 24, 2015 22:54:57 GMT
Oh geez. To quote my son, age 26, who is a productive member of society and intolerant of nonsense, " I'm sick of hearing about the confederate flag. Who gives a ______. Get back to work." So if you and your son are sick of the topic, all the people who are not sick of it are supposed to sit down and shut up? If you're not interested, it's nonsense? Wait until it's something you do care about and then apply the same logic. See how you feel about it then. I can tell you, it feels utterly dismissive. Then maybe you will see why the rest of us lose interest in your opinion on the subject.
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Post by anonrefugee on Jul 24, 2015 22:55:23 GMT
Don't give the business your money. If you feel led, let the business know why you won't be shopping with them. I'm in MD, so technically, below the Mason-Dixon line, but try telling that to anyone actually living in Maryland. I run through a local cemetery where Francis Scott Key is buried and noticed a couple of weeks ago that someone erected an enormous Confederate flag on a hill in the cemetery. I know people have complained, but according to the folks managing it, what is displayed on a family plot is up to the family. That makes me sad. What a rude thing to do.
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
Jun 26, 2014 5:57:41 GMT
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Post by Rainbow on Jul 24, 2015 23:01:32 GMT
It's not that big of a deal. You can't force everyone to get rid of every flag you see. Sigh. Move along. Rainbow, just out of curiosity, if the giant flag waving from the bed of an employee's truck parked smack in front of the business and clearly visible from the highway said "Keep Abortion Legal," would you still be saying no big deal, move along ... would you still shop at this business? I would move on down the road. I don't agree with the sentiment and everyone has free speech, especially those with opposing views. So, fly it. I'd rather have lively discussion than shut down the other side and try to make them hide it.
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