Saleswomen's kneeling apology stirs anger
A scene from the viral online video shows two saleswomen on their knees apologizing to a female customer at Shinsegae Department Store in Incheon. / Screep capture from YouTube
An online video of two saleswomen on their knees apologizing to a female customer at an Incheon department store has stirred public anger, raising questions of whether it is another controversial abuse of workers in service industries.
Posted last Friday, the 90-second video shows two saleswomen on their knees in front of a woman on a chair. The saleswomen are looking down, with their hands on their legs, while the customer is looking at them with her hands in her coat pockets.
Media reports said the incident occurred at a jewelry shop in Shinsegae Department Store about 3 p.m. Friday. The customer was requesting a free repair to an item but was told a fee would be charged because the time for free repairs had expired. The customer insisted on the free service, which she later got. But she also complained of “poor” service and the saleswomen kneeled to apologize.
The department store said the saleswomen voluntarily kneeled.
Passersby reported the incident to police.
The saleswomen are off work, citing depression the incident caused, according to reports.