May 19
Racial Profiling at Tuni’s Boutique in Winter Park
by Senior Editor Nia Syrah
So today is my birthday and I decided to treat myself to a nice lunch on the Park Avenue strip area of Winter Park, Florida. Right across the street from my favorite restaurant, Spice Modern Steakhouse, is a little trendy boutique called Tuni’s. It’s at 301 South Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789. The place houses high end clothing and shoes and I wanted to see if I would find anything that spoke to me enough to buy. As soon as I walked in I felt the cold air, and not from the A/C. I was acknowledged only by a short stare from the girl at the register and then she returned to her magazine on the counter. A few minutes later I made my way to the back of the store, a tall blonde pixie haired chick comes out of the back and looks me dead in my face, but again, no words as she walked passed me. I immediately began to feel unwanted, but brushed it off because, hell, this is not 1980 something. I decided that a cute tube top was reasonably priced and since it is my birthday, I was going to purchase it for myself as a gift. However, as I began to search for my size on the rack, a white woman walked through the door with another white woman a few steps behind. I could not contain my anger as the two women at the counter greeted these white women as if they were celebrities. “Hi, how are you today? Is there anything I can help you find?” It was like a bad dream. I immediately slammed my cute tube top back on the rack and shot back the blonde pixie girl the evil eye. Oh, how I wanted to just let loose with some choice words for those broads, but because I now knew they probably expected it, I am just too sophisticated for that. My look of bewilderment and anger was enough for the blonde pixie to “catch my drift” as she hung her head at my stare as if she was in trouble. I mumbled something to myself to the effect of “I will not be giving this place my money”.
Shopping While Black – Don’t Do It At Tuni’s!!!
What makes people still act like this? I mean, I can understand back in the days where you just didn’t see black people with money, but gone are those days. There have been many, many black people who rise above the setbacks of the world and they are making as much, if not more, than some white men in power. Was it my clothes? Was I deemed unworthy because I did not show up with a coach bag and Prada sunglasses with a fresh facial and pedicure? Did they just assume that someone such as myself was not going to be able to afford anything in the store so no need to waste time assisting me? Or maybe these bitches were just being plain old racist in a time period where some people would argue that racism doesn’t exist just because we have a black president. If you ask me, the black president has brought the issue back to the forefront as there are many jealous ass white people who cannot stand someone black doing better than them, but that’s a subject for another article. Back to the issue at hand…these broads had no idea who I am, and the fact that if I wanted to, I have the means to buy them out of house and home. Maybe they felt some sort of jealousy that I had the time to come into their boutique and browse while they planned their breaks and lunches. Whatever, I pride myself on what I have accomplished in my life but would never look down on them being retail workers, so why treat me as if I am less than? This was an experience that truly opened my eyes to the world of the hoity toity.
Oh, and apparently, I’m not the only one. There are several bad reviews for this place and the keywords are “snotty employees”, “what a shame”, “service is horrible”, etc. I do not recommend anyone of substance shopping at this place.
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Filed under Dumbass of The Day, Racists and Assholes
Tagged with hate, money, orlando fl
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on May 18, 2010 - 7:29 pm
Stay classy Tuni’s!
on February 6, 2011 - 9:35 pm
Wow! I thought I was the only young lady this has happened to or maybe the ladies just were not thinking at the time,and again, the ladies that were SUPPOSED to be offering customer service were at least 30( or so they looked),and another thing…….manners are taught at the age of what? 3 years of age? How dare they ignore me! My money spends also. Maybe they were upset because of the wrinkles at such a young age.Lol! Anyhow the same thing happens at my job(costco),while they are quick to follow all the black people,the white people rob them blind.Shame shame
on May 18, 2010 - 7:45 pm
Oh here we go black people always playing the race card, do you think maybe you had the look of an intelligent woman who knew what she wanted? So they gave you the benefit of the doubt and let you do your shopping. My experience with you people when I speak sometimes I get the same stare like why are you speaking to me white boy.
It frustrates me I have never treated anyone badly black or white, and you blast this place because some incompetent worker did not speak. How old were these girls? In their teens? You expect them to be mature, they are teenagers and they make mistakes. You shouldn’t be so quick insinuate that it is racist, there just is not enough there. Why not contact the owner and let them know what you experienced, then if the owner shuns it off you know that is a trend.
I mean would you boycott Chilli’s if one waiter did the same thing? Would you call the entire Chilli’s franchise racist at that point? You know what you would do, call the manager and get the issue corrected. Yet you don’t want to afford this mom and pop shop the same opportunity? Sigh.
on May 18, 2010 - 8:28 pm
GBL – Thank you for the comments. I have to say though – I went in the place to browse, as I had no idea what to expect when I went inside. I liked the look from the street so I took a chance, so I don’t believe I walked in there with a look of knowledge of the place. And yes – if this was a teenager or even early 20′s women it would have made a huge difference to me. I would have written it off as immature haters. But these were women my own age (over 30) who clearly did not agree with my presence in the store. I do not call racism often. Hell, I haven’t had an encounter since 1990 something, so it surprised me just the same as these women clearly acted out of line. I get your frustration, being on the other side of things and taking the brunt for what your generations prior have done to black people. However, having lived the life growing up in the suburbs of Chicago and being the victim of blatant racism as well as ignorant white people being racist without even realizing… I am very well aware when I am treated a certain way and why. I appreciate your thoughts, and you seem as if you shouldn’t be painted with the same brush as others. But just as I am not quick to judge white people for being racist, you should not be so quick to judge black people being upset for being made to feel less than.
on May 19, 2010 - 6:55 pm
NS – This is a tough situation to discuss and is always up for debate. Is racism still running ramp in the southern states of this flawed nation? Absolutely. Unfortunately, racism is a disease that is hereditary, and it’s not going to go away anytime soon. As long as there are generations of old; both black and white; teaching their children old beliefs of race and power, we’re going to be dealing with it.
In the world we live in today, I honestly feel that racism is just as apparent as it was 30 or 40 years ago. Racist have just learned to keep their mouths shut for the sake of safety and law.
Being Puerto Rican, I fall somewhere in the middle of the battle of the races. Not black,… not white,… but kind of a nice mocha; right in the middle. But, speaking from first hand experience, this is my take.
When I grew up in the Bronx, I hung out with blacks and Hispanics (sorry,…not going to be politically correct.) Italians, the main white race of the area, looked down on us, so we never really got along and avoided each other at all cost. I was afraid as a child to walk towards a group of them if I was alone.
Now, as an older and wiser man living in middle suburbia, I have no fears, but here’s what I noticed. The lack of black people in my immediate surroundings makes me feel a little uncomfortable when I encounter them (wow,… did I just say “them”? Bear with me,… I couldn’t find a better way to say it). Not because I’m racist or because I’m afraid or don’t like them, but in all honestly, because I don’t want to come off as racist. I know, it’s weird, but sometimes non-racist people come off as racist because they don’t want to come off as racist when they speak. Many of the black people that I AM surrounded with are racist themselves, OR have a chip on their shoulder due to experiences that their ancestors have passed down to them through generations.
I remember working at a retail outlet. I blatantly saw a black teen stealing something, so I followed him towards the door and told security. I made it very clear to him that I knew what he did. His response was, “OH! YOU THINK I STOLE SOMETHING BECAUSE I’M BLACK!”. I was like “ No… I SAW you steal something. Black has nothing to do with it!”. His response had scarred me. Once you’re accused of being racist when you’re not, it makes you very cautious with your words and how you come across. Hence, my discomfort. This happened almost 20 years ago, but I never want to come off as racist again.
Bottom line,… did you experience racism that day? Maybe,… but maybe not. More than likely, you were one of the few “non-white” people that walked through there doors and threw them off guard. Well,… I hope you’ve been “enwhitened” by my addition to your post. Hopefully, it’ll shed some light on the inner workings of the white side of the brain. LOL! Send GD my love!
on May 19, 2010 - 9:02 pm
Anyone who has had an experience like that KNOWS whether they’ve experienced racism. When they have, it is very blatant, very obvious. Miss Nia doesn’t seem like the kind of girl to make this stuff up. SHE was there, she KNOWS what she experienced. (AND… anyone who has my back on fb has my vote!) ;o)
On the OTHER hand, there’s some people I know (not gonna say WHO, ….”G.D.”) who just need to be comfortable in their own skin and stop callin’ themselves a raisin in a bowl full of milk! ;o) If you’re surrounded by people who love you, who kers what the atmosphere “looks” like! ;o)
) 
)
on May 19, 2010 - 10:34 pm
You both are hilarious, hey Paul your white/PR privilege is showing, let me explain. You as a Puerto Rican man have things culturally and historically that myself as a black man would never understand on the same level as someone of Puerto Rican ancestry. Stay with me now, the same as your beautiful wife, there are things that she as a woman will go through that myself as a male would never ever understand much less assume were she to explain them to me.
With that being said, regardless of all the bad Puerto Ricans (like the ones who jacked my radio 2 years ago) and the awful women (like the one who told me to go find a white woman) who I have encountered, I of a certain privilege (black male) cannot inject my opinion unto their slights. Let me rephrase – If you Paul tell me that someone did something to you that offends you as a Puerto Rican, or your wife says someone did something to offend her as a woman. How in the hell am I going to stand my black male ass there and tell you both no, because yadda, yadda, yadda. No I cannot do that, I am then injecting black male privilege on the reality of a hurt that you have been dealt. So cut it out.
When someone who doesn’t fit my group tells me that something offends them, you know what I do? I take their word for it and I move on if wasn’t caused by me, or its nothing I can do to change it. I don’t go post theories or “you guys are the racist ones not us” like many posters tend to do. I read it, I acknowledge it and I move on.
Consider this an eSlap on your confused Puerto Rican ass, I think we need to send you to Arizona for a couple months to shock you back to the reality that is racism son. See you made me write a book when this effort would be better served as an article for the Hall.
on May 20, 2010 - 10:40 am
That’s some real truth my brother, it really ticks me off to how when black people experience racism, and other races, and sometimes your own people, down play it as though it’s something you’re just making a big deal out ofand with all this racism going on the first thing people come out and say is it’s not a racial thing,you know it’s sicking how stupid people still are today you know they can look right at racism and still refuse to see, or believe, that it still go on today, even some blacks who go through it still refuse to eccept it as it is, talking about being able to see but still walk around blind.
on May 20, 2010 - 11:12 pm
You know, it’s funny Mr. Dragon. Perhaps you missed the part of my post that stated that racism is just as apparent today as it was in prior decades. I’m not turning a blind eye to the matter or saying that what she felt and experienced was NOT racism. I just thought some info from another race might “enwhiten” you. But, your point is well taken. I apologize if I offended you. I didn’t know you were black. I’m not racist. My best friend is black! And I, just like you, Mr. Dragon, love watermelon and the occasional fried chicken. So, we my friend, are not that different. Don’t ever eSlap me again! I will run you down with my Civic.
As for you smittyboy, don’t confuse my position. i’ve been a worthy recipient of racism myself many a time. What’s my response to it? I acknowledge their ignorance and go on my way, just like Ms. Syrah did in this situation. Why? Because it’s not worth my time to entertain the lack of intelligence and narrow mindedness that these people possess nor let it get under my skin.
on May 21, 2010 - 8:35 am
Whats wrong with watermelon and fried chicken? You forgot the grape soda and the white woman on the side! Wow you beat me to the Civic blast, it has to be a hatch-back though with an exhaust and about 5 cats chilling inside. Muhahaha.
on May 21, 2010 - 10:43 am
PDLR thank u for the comments….i love your lightheartedness about the situation….
on August 2, 2010 - 3:13 pm
What? When did grape soda become a black thing??? Lol
on December 8, 2010 - 8:10 am
I’ve been a long time customer at this store and I think you may be taking things a little too far. The store itself is very snooty (I am a twenty something white female and have been given the cold shoulder a few times but been welcomed much more frequently) and if you can’t handle snot nosed retail reps then you probably should not be shopping in a Park Ave boutique.
on December 8, 2010 - 10:26 am
thanks for your comment kat… actually, i have had enough experience that i can handle snotty nosed white girls at any given time… i think i handled the situation pretty well considering all i did was walk out.. what i won’t do is take tuni’s mistreatment and apply it to the entire street of boutiques… i frequent the shops on park ave on a regular basis and have never encountered this type of attitude and won’t tolerate it from anyone…. not even if it means losing out on that red carpet gem.
on January 2, 2011 - 2:32 pm
I am a hispanic girl from Venezuela who happens to buy at Tuni every now and then. I am not wealthy and my look is pretty ethinic. To be honest with you, I have never felt discriminated against at Tuni and the girls have always been nice to me and my friends. Tuni does have a lot of repeat customers because they carry designer brands hard to find anywhere else. This may be the reason why they greated some clients with so much familiarity. Not once I have felt the cold shoulder at Tuni. Sorry, but just because they were not “super nice” to you that day, it does not mean they would not treat you the way they treat me on a regular basis. Next time take a hidden camera to prove your point.
on February 5, 2011 - 5:54 pm
F.Y.I. Tuni is a fabulous woman with a great understanding of cultural diversity. I can assure you “color” does not play a part in how she or her staff would act toward a customer. If only you knew her wonderful, diverse family…
on August 4, 2011 - 1:57 pm
I Googled some info about Tuni’s as i was planning on going there this weekend while in Winter Park. I am a white woman and I am appalled at this behavior. Even if it wasn’t about race and was due to not being a regular customer, as some of the other above commenters have suggested, that still doesn’t excuse this behavior. I will not support a business that acts snooty towards ANY customer. A new customer today could be a regular tomorrow. Terrible business practice.
on August 4, 2011 - 2:06 pm
thank you for your support Christie.. i don’t get off on throwing businesses out there for fun, so if i reached one person, then my job is done.
on August 4, 2011 - 9:19 pm
They’re just plain rude to anyone who they assume can’t afford what they sell.. Alot of the stores in that area act like they are doing us all a favor , when most of them have extremely dated styles.. Tuni is up to date but their attitudes stink.. I too wouldn’t give them my money