T.J. Maxx

Today Feb 17, 2021 myself and my cousin went into our local TJ MAXX at Kingstowne Towne Center 5950 Kingstowne Towne Center Kingstowne, VA 22315 for a quick shop. We were greeted by two friendly associates at the door, but by the time we made our from luggage and bags to the jewelry counter the customer service went from great to horrible. The lady at the counter I didn't get her name didn't greet us, instead she just turned and faced us as we were looking at the pieces in the showcase, my cousin had already stated she was feeling really hot and that she felt as if she was suffocating so she pulled her mask down a bit under her mouth. As for me I'm 6 months pregnant and I walked in with a smoothie in my hand but as you would be able to see if you check the security footage when I wasn't drinking my drink I would pull my mask back up over my mouth. The lady at the jewelry counter TOLD not ASK my cousin to pull up her mask in a bit so kind way. My cousin didn't appreciate that at all and stated that she was hot and continued to walking around and shopping. Then she turned to me as I was taking drinks of my smoothie and told me to pull up my mask. I told her that I was drinking a drink. She told me to pull up my mask. My cousin then asked what she the lady said to me and I told her and my cousin got upset and said how does she expect you to drink you drink with a mask on. I said I don't know. The lady continued on and I said again I'm drinking a drink how am I supposed to drink through a mask. The lady had an attitude then turned her back to me and my cousin. My cousin and I ignored her and continued shopping. Again if you check the security footage you would see that I am pull up and down my mask depending on how often I'm drinking my drink. My cousin and I make our way to the counter. We were at cashier #5 my transaction was finished at 15:46:34 the same rude lady from the jewelry counter was at cashier #4. I was just glad that she wasn't who we ended up with to checkout. The cashier we had seemed fine but I noticed she kept looking back over to whom I believe was the Manager on Duty at the time. But I didn't pay much attention. Again I started drinking my smoothie, I finished my transaction and my cousin went after me. The Manager on Duty passed and went to the rude lady at cashier #4. Out of nowhere after I've been at the register for 2 maybe 3 minutes she tells my cousin to pull up her mask. At this point the MOD keeps walking back and forth. My cousin looked at me and didn't say anything. Then the cashier looked at me and told me to pull up my mask. I told her I'm drinking my drink. This of course made my cousin upset and she stated the mask isn't actually benefiting anyone, and that it was hot and that she not going to an early grave for no one. After that the cashier signaled with her eyes to the MOD, she came over and said "ladies you need to put your masks on" and it was in a reprimanding tone. She didn't ask. She told us. Then I started again I'm drinking a drink. She then made a snide comment saying that she drinks under her mask. My cousin ignored her because she was already upset. I became upset because that statement shows me that she no longer was saying something to us because of the law but because of her personal views. The MOD also at different times throughout our whole interaction kept walking back and forth. Not sure why. Then the MOD stood behind the cashier staring at us in a judgmental, aggressive manner which for me and my cousin became harassment. She later moved further down but still kept looking at us in the same way. The law doesn't state you must drink under your mask. I then told her that there is no sign on the door that says no food or drink upon entry, and I'm 6 months pregnant and I'm having a drink, plus I'm leaving the store so she needs to relax as me and my cousin was leaving the register heading to the exit. The MOD said well it's the law you have to wear the mask. My cousin and I are both aware of the law, but the law shouldn't affect one's health. My cousin was hot and her head started bothering her, I am 6 months pregnant and had a drink with me to keep me cool and because I clearly wanted to drink it. We both have rights. We both have the right to take care of ourselves. This was pure harassment which is unacceptable. Her job is to ask a customer to follow the law not harass them because of your personal views which is what she did. She was a Caucasian female with rainbow color hair, my cousin and I are mixed women of color if the complexions and roles were in reverse would she be okay with this kind of treatment or if it was her family member? I believe my cousin and I are owed an apology because I'm sure this type of harassment during these difficult times is not the kind of values that TJMAXX was built by or represents. We could of gone the route of recording it but we didn't. But it bothered me all the way home. As two women of color, we shouldn't be harassed like this anywhere. Thank you

I can be reached at [protected]@outlook.com if someone would to send an apology via email.

Thank you
Tiqueena B