The BC Human Rights Tribunal has ruled in favour of yoga wear giant Lululemon after an anti-masker filed a complaint saying her human rights were violated because she wasn't allowed to shop while mask-less in one of its retail stores. This was despite the would-be customer presenting a note from her naturopath, and her claims that wearing a mask stresses her out and gives her anxiety.
The store's staff advised the customer-turned-complainant, Yvonne Coelho, that she could shop online, or take advantage of their service which allows their employees to help customers outside of their store.
The decision noted that Lululemon was not violating Coelho's human rights by having her wear a mask while shopping in-store, and "Lululemon was not obligated to provide a perfect accommodation, but a reasonable one."
Here is a list of a few other things you can do that likely aren't protected under the B.C. human rights code. Or, that is, below are some things that will get you rightfully kicked out of private establishments. Things not to do:
1. Don't go into any corner store in Vancouver with no shoes and no shirt and expect service, even if you have a note from your podiatrist saying your feet and your chest get a little clammy.
2. Don't walk up to the counter at Chipotle, tell the workers "I'm gonna rip one!" fart loudly in their direction, present a note from your gastroenterologist, then expect them to give you free guac. It doesn't work like that.
3. Don't go into PetSmart blasting the Baha Men's 2000 hit "Who Let The Dogs Out?" on a portable speaker, with a note from a livestock veterinarian that says it calms down animals. It doesn't, and they're within their rights to ask you to leave the store.
4. Lastly, similar to the first thing on this list, maybe don't ever walk into Starbucks, buck naked from the waist down with a sign around your neck that says "JUNK PATROL." Even if you're given a note from your sex therapist saying you need to be less of a square, you shouldn't do that if you want them to serve you a latte. Ok, maybe the sign part would be ok, but you've gotta wear pants if you're hoping to get served.
The bottom line is that being a selfish shopper is not a condition that is protected under the B.C. human rights code. Please act accordingly out there.
