A woman was "fuming and upset" after being confronted by Tesco staff over her choice of clothing.
She wore a bikini top in the store to do her food shop on the hottest day of the year, on July 18. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon in Tesco's Driffield store, reported Hull Live.
A member of staff approached her and told her she couldn't wear the bikini top in store and the conversation became heated. She said that she was told: "Next time can you wear a t-shirt, even men aren't allowed in without their t-shirts it's the policy."
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After the incident, another member of staff comforted the customer and gave her hug before the store manager repeatedly apologised for what had occurred. Posting on social media, the Driffield woman affected said she had worn the bikini top along with shorts because of the exceptionally hot weather.
She said: "I've never felt so humiliated and discriminated in front of everyone just for wearing a bikini top and by a staff member. The staff member came to me when we was at self scan, she'd already let me walk around the whole shop then came to me in front of everyone, people left right and centre, and said, 'next time can you wear a t-shirt, even men aren't allowed in without their t-shirts it's the policy'.
"A bit of a heated argument happened and she ended up telling me to grow up and said 'good' that she'd lost me as a customer, well that didn't help the situation whatsoever." A younger employee subsequently comforted the woman, giving her "a cuddle" and got the store manager.
She said: "He came outside and apologised repetitively for how she went about it the complete wrong way. I explained how it's not normal for me to wear a top this like but it's 35+ degrees, I don't just carry t-shirts around with me. I even explained how many of other women/girls were going in with some of their cleavage showing and very tiny belly tops with no bras on! But somehow I was the only exception?"
"He said he understood it's not normal weather and even schools and train services have changed their rules to accommodate this weather and said he'd have a meeting with her."
Tesco has now apologised to the woman. A company spokeswoman said: "We’re sorry for the way this was handled, have apologised to the customer involved and reminded colleagues in store to be courteous to our customers at all times."
It's understood the shopper was able to serve themselves and leave with their shopping. But the woman was evidently disappointed by the experience she had. She said: "I'm just so fuming and upset, it takes a lot of courage to wear something like that, I expect words off 'street chavs' but not from a staff member where we regularly shop. What if she worked abroad or even in Brid? Everyone's in bikinis in Brid."
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