Happened just very recently.

A little background. It is very rare to find a younger, local woman holding a high position in the industry where I am in right now. This industry is fairly new in my country and expats mostly manage the company given their experience and exposure from where they come from. It is expected that in 3–5 years, expats will be able to train and transfer knowledge to their local counterparts as part of the deal made by the government with the foreign and local companies.

It was a Sunday, my rest day, and I was at the supermarket when the president of the company called. I answer his calls even on rest days because he never really calls unless it is very important. He asked me to go to his other company’s office in which he holds the same position and most of the employees are either expats or older gentlemen.

The main company from abroad is a listed company with numerous businesses in different countries and industries. They have two big companies here and I was hired to manage the new business because of my lengthy experience and exposure, both local and abroad.

I told him I would go but I would need to change my clothes before I proceed, that meant going home to my apartment and change then head to the office, which would take approximately two hours. I was wearing an old shirt, ripped jeans and flip flops. He then told me we didn’t have time because we need documents signed and sent via courier in one hour so that it will arrive in two days, otherwise, if we send the documents after the cut-off, these shall be received after two weeks and will cause a massive delay.

So I hurriedly went to his office and literally ran to the main door. I have been there before with the president but on a nicer, more appropriate outfit, and of course with make up and freshly washed hair. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming except for this security personnel who, after I opened my bag for inspection, asked me to step aside and proceeded with this statement:

“Solicitation is not allowed in this building”

He never asked me who I was seeing or what is the purpose of my visit, instead, he told me that straight to my face. I would understand them questioning my visit and I was ready to answer and give my ID in exchange for their building ID because I don’t work there and I was not wearing corporate clothes. But for him not to ask me anything and immediately assumed I am going to solicit or sell something in the building, it kind of made me a little mad but I held my composure and asked him very nicely if he could call the president’s secretary and inform her I am at the lobby. But he wasn’t buying it, he told me to just leave the building to avoid any trouble and be escorted out by the security guys. I looked at the receptionist hoping she would somehow recognize me but I saw her nodding her head in approval of what the security personnel told me.

Since I was in a hurry, I actually left my cellphone in the car seat and couldn’t call the president immediately. I just excused myself, got my bag and went to my car. Even the nice, warm and welcoming people were suddenly looking down on me as I left.

I called the president and told him I was already in the lobby. He asked me to go straight up to his office because we were running against time but I told him his people wouldn’t let me in, wouldn’t call his secretary and the security guy asked me to leave without asking for the purpose of my visit.

It is very noteworthy that this president is a very humble, approachable and kind man and have I have never really heard him yell or get mad at any one. But that was about to change a few minutes after my phone call.

I hurriedly approached the door again and waited for his secretary to pick me up. I immediately saw the security personnel walking towards the door to probably block me from entering. When I saw the president exit the elevator, I waved at him and he waved back. I can tell he was really annoyed. He was already on his phone yelling at someone on his native language while walking towards me. I swear in only less than a minute, (or maybe I am exaggerating a little), the expat head of security was already there, calling everyone in the lobby for a quick meeting. We then went straight up to his office and finished what we needed done. But before we entered the elevator, I could hear the head of security’s very angry and loud voice towards the security personnel and the others as well.

After we completed our work, and after I explained to him what happened in the lobby, I excused myself to finish my errands. He thanked me for arriving in such a short notice and apologized for what happened. He even asked me if I wanted the employees to be sanctioned. I told him it is not necessary, but a good lecturing may be needed.

When I arrived at the lobby everyone was smiling and greeting me. As I was about to exit the door, the head of security approached me and apologized, I accepted it and thanked him after. The door was opened by the same security guy who accused me of soliciting in the building. He apologized and proceeded to explain his side but I just had to cut him off by telling him how sad I felt since I have seen how they serve their expat employers and guests but how judgemental and rude they get when they are facing their own race. And assuming that I will solicit or that I don’t have any business in the building without asking me first just because I don’t look or dress like what they expect me to doesn’t give them the right to turn away or look down on people, may they be expat, local, young, old, man, woman or from the LGBTQ community.

Last time I heard he was transferred to the security office in charge of paper works and filing.