Domestic Helper After Being Mistaken for Shoplifter “Do i deserve an apology or i just let it be?”
A Filipina domestic helper shared an upsetting experience about being wrongly suspected of shoplifting at a grocery store.
Recently, Pia Piatot, a Facebook user, shared her experience at a grocery store after she was accused of shoplifting. The post immediately spread like wildfire on social media and elicited comments from the netizens.
The domestic helper visited the grocery store early in the morning to buy a few items. Since she only needed an onion and an egg, she didn’t bother using a basket. However, while browsing, she noticed a sale on bread and decided to pick up a loaf.
As the checkout counter was still closed, she continued looking around the aisles, briefly considering vitamins and other sale items, but ultimately decided against them to stick to her budget.
Piatot later remembered she needed noodles and added a packet before heading back to pay. When no cashier was available, Pia decided to use the self-service machine for the first time.
While unfamiliar with the process, she managed to face it successfully and was about to complete her transaction using her mobile payment app.
Suddenly, an elderly store staff approached her. Instead of assisting, the staff accused Pia of not paying for her items, pointing specifically to the bread. Shocked by the accusation, Pia calmly showed her receipt and proceeded to finalize her payment to prove her innocence.
The incident left Pia feeling hurt and disheartened. She shared how being a domestic helper often subjects her to unfair judgments and discriminatory treatment. She emphasized that her job does not define her worth and that she, like anyone else, deserves to be treated with respect and fairness.
in another post, a video of Pinay domestic helper suffering from frequent nose bleeding goes viral
Here is the full post:
“Do i deserve an apology or i just let it be?
Just this morning i went to a grocery store to buy some stuff. They just happen to open so i was the first costumer. I roam around without taking a trolley or a basket because i just want to grab an onion and an egg. But then i saw some sale on the bread section so i grab one.,then i went to the counter to pay. But it was still close so i thought of grabbing some vit. also it’s payday, maybe i can reward myself with a little extra. But then decided i may not need it and it’s not on my budget list.
So i went back to the counter but before that , i pass by the sale section and check out if i can find something but decided to not get any as well. Then i remembered i need some noodles for our breakfast so i went to that section and get one packet.
I came back to the counter and still no one’s there to check out my items. So i decided to use the machine.
I wasn’t that familiar yet with the self service machine,but everything was so easy to follow, so i smoothly finished the transaction. As i was about to finished i top my octopus card for my yuu points, then i took my phone so i can pay through alipay.
Just then a small old lady came i thought she was there to assist me. But then she suddenly said “You haven’t paid i saw you ,there’s cctv here and there”.
i said “yes i was just about to, see ” then i look for my alipay account and top the payment. She point for the bread “how about that have you paid it already” i said yes you can check the receipt.
I was so furious, i was paying and suddenly i was being accused of shoplifting,When i haven’t even put the items on my bag. She walked out ,so i packed my items and go.
As a domestic helper i experienced different kind of maltreatment, but this was the worst. Why do people label us as a domestic helper and jump into conclusions that we are up to no good. Yes i am a domestic helper, i am so proud of it . And I am working hard as much as everyone does. We may not be earning equally, but we are all striving the same.
Do i deserve an apology or i just let it be.
We are being treated according to our label, as a domestic helper i came across different individuals, and i’ve experienced all sorts of indifference. But though i am a domestic helper, i am not just a domestic helper, i deserve an equal treatment in a store because i am a costumer. Being treated as a criminal without any proof is so heartbreaking.
“as if itatakbo ko ang tinapay nilang sale eh kayang kya ko gumwa ng tinapay sourdough pa joke lng..”
The social media users expressed their reactions to the post:
