The 5 pence racist

Yesterday, at work - a young black male asked for an item costing £4.00 - he put down 3 pound coins, a few tens, some twenties and a five - he was five pence short and he had walked off.

I dislike challenging black people, concerned that they will either call me a racist or make a complaint that I am one - an accusation that I suspect would be impossible to counter, and could have severe problems for me employment wise - which would mean severe hardship for my family, and possible loss of home etc- yes the stakes are that high.

BTW - it is impossible to prove a negative - I can no more prove I AM NOT a racist, than prove God does NOT exist.

Any way - I did challenge him - I had already made my mind up that I would not press the issue, ust make the point, and would let hi get away with it.

So - he stuck his hands in his pockets, pulled them out - stuk them in  again, looked down at the floor, stuck his hands in his pockets - 'I think I dropped it'

'I would appreciate it if you told me raather than try to deceive me' I said

'I did not try to deceive you'

'Fair enough'

He was offended.

A few moments later he came back and slammed the five pence down.

A couple of thoughts spring to mind:-

1) The state of race relations in this country has left me dreading challenging ethnic minorities who may or may not be trying to pull a fast one, or at the least have miscalculated their finances.

2) I suspect he and others will think I am a racist for even thinking he might be trying to pull a fast one - although the way he put down the cash, and said he thought he dropped it - I think are quite good grounds for thinking he was.

3) Yes I know - it was only 5 pence.

4) If he does make a complaint I would be in trouble at work.

5) What a state to get ourselves into.

I recall a friend of mine who is a teaching assistant - she had cause to reprimand a young black child. 'It'z co iz blak' he said.