Esso Paynes Bay Tigermarket

6 months ago

I’m writing this review as a concerned parent following a deeply upsetting experience at this gas station store. After a beach outing, my 11-year-old son, still in his swim trunks and without a shirt, accompanied his sibling into the store to grab a few snacks while I waited in the car. Moments later, I heard loud shouting. It turned out the security guard was yelling at my son to put on a shirt, stating he couldn’t enter the store bare-backed. My son returned to the car visibly shaken and confused. As visitors to Barbados, my children aren’t familiar with local norms, and due to the accent and the speed at which the guard spoke, they didn’t fully understand what was being said. What concerned me most was the aggressive tone and the fact that this was directed at a child. After my son put on his shirt and re-entered the store, I called out to the security guard several times before he finally turned around. I tried to explain that my children are not from here and may not understand certain instructions clearly. His dismissive and loud response, “They don’t speak English?”, was incredibly rude and unnecessary. I clarified that they do speak English, but that the accent and delivery can be hard to follow for non-locals. I also reminded him that he was speaking to a child and should have approached the situation with more patience and respect. This kind of treatment is not what visitors, or anyone, should experience. It left a negative impression on what should have been a simple stop for snacks after a lovely beach day. I sincerely hope that staff and security at this location are reminded of the importance of respectful communication, especially when dealing with children and visitors unfamiliar with local customs.