A mother of three was barred from entering a Tesco store in Essex during a record-breaking heatwave because a security guard deemed her backless top too revealing, sparking accusations of victim blaming.
Incident at Tesco During Heatwave
Alixe Galatis, 31, visited a Tesco branch on June 26, when temperatures reached 37°C. She wore a black v-neck top that fastened at the back. As she approached the 'Scan as You Shop' section with her children, a male security guard stopped her, claiming the top could be 'untied' by other shoppers, leaving her 'exposed'.
Galatis fetched a gym sweater from her car, draped it over her shoulders and back to cover the tie, and was then allowed to shop. However, she said the guard shook his head with 'disdain' as she left.
Mum's Reaction and Concerns
Galatis expressed shock at the incident: 'It was just after the school run, I think it peaked around 36, 37 degrees or something crazy. The clothes I was wearing I had been in all day, I'd been in other shops and there wasn't an issue until I walked into Tesco.'
She said the guard told her 'you can't come in here wearing that top because it's got a tie-up at the back'. When she asked if she could buy a top inside, he refused entry entirely. Galatis described the guard's attitude as 'victim blaming mentality' and said her nine-year-old daughter is now conscious about what she wears to shops.
Tesco's Apology
A Tesco spokesperson said: 'We are really sorry to hear about this experience. We want everyone to feel welcome in our stores and this should not have happened.' The company said it would contact Galatis directly.
Galatis shared her story online, receiving over 53,000 likes and comments. One user wrote: 'Escalate this, it's not acceptable.' Another said: 'I am flabbergasted. I honestly think the world is going mad.' A third added: 'Should write a complaint of discrimination and harassment while shopping that you felt uncomfortable and vulnerable.'
Impact on Family
Galatis noted that her eldest daughter is now 'more conscious around what I'm wearing when I'm going into the shops' and thinks the top is not appropriate for Tesco. She said she will avoid Tesco during future heatwaves, as she owns many halter-neck tops that leave her back exposed.
