I Did Nothing and I Still Regret It

I was on my dinner break during a late shift at work, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

I’d ducked into Subway for a quick bite. The line was long. I hesitated, should I just go somewhere else? But I stayed.

While I was standing there, a woman up front was being served by one of the staff, a young girl, maybe just out of school, possibly her first job.

She was trying her best, but there was clearly a communication barrier.

The woman suddenly lost it. She started shouting, abusing the girl.

And then it turned racial.

It was intense.

I felt the urge to step in.

But I suddenly looked down — I was in my work uniform. And I hesitated. If I said something, I knew it could come back on me. I’d seen it happen.

Our company didn’t exactly back its staff. I’d heard of people being disciplined, even fired, just for standing up for themselves.

So I stood there and said nothing.

The woman eventually left with her food, still ranting.

The girl behind the counter was visibly shaken.

Another staff member went to comfort her.

I walked out feeling sick.

I thought about it for a long time afterward. Still do, sometimes.

I took the coward’s option. I didn’t say a word. And I regret it.