I must say that Bloch still specializes in providing quality products for dancers at good prices.
But after many years much hasn't changed, in regards to their customer service.
If your a person of color, please brace yourself, as you may not always be met with a smile.
I just left Bloch a few hours ago and went through the same racially charged micro-aggressions I had to endure as a teen when purchasing shoes at Bloch.
Unfortunately not much has changed.
Thou unspoken there is an assumption in society that dark skin may mean your poor, or you are a threat, especially in the eyes of the typical Block staff member who's only ethnic friend is perhaps a lovely eurasian girl that they occasionally speak to.
Thou you may be a dancer and look the part, and thou you may be polite, well dressed, or even well mannered, the melanin in your skin in their eyes may mean a few different things. If you happen to be a model and also a person of color, please don't walk in alone as you may question the way you look, and you will need a friend to remind you that you are not a hideous sea creature.
After all they are not used to seeing or associating with people of darker hues, especially people of Afro descent, so you may be subject to the following:
1. A rushed interrogation type manner of approach, by the Manager upon stepping foot in the store, the faster you get out of the store, the more at ease she will feel, you may not look like a threat but once again she is not sure, so she will give you 5 intimidating seconds to state what you want.
2. Loud slow paced speech, once again your dark hue may mean that you probably weren't born in Australia.
3. The subtle side eye that a staff member will throw to another when attending you, until they are certain that you are human being. (Don't forget there are more black dancers in the U.S.A then there are in Australia) the fact that you know what you want is ..questionable to them.
Is Bloch promoting racism with their treatment of people of color ?.. Probably not, but they are definitely not comfortable when the people they are used to seeing only on a TV screen, walk into their store.
If your at the their York St store location in Sydney City, do remember to visit the church nearby , or grab bite with a friend at the cafe across the road because you will need to get the experience out of your system, well at least until the next visit. read more