A 15-year-old high school student, Mae, has shared her dilemma with people over on Reddit, asking if she was overreacting when the family she babysits for denied her full payment for wearing a Brandy Melville tank top.
It’s a popular brand among teens
Brandy Melville is a popular clothing brand among tween and teen girls as it sells wardrobe staples with a more girlish flare to them.
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One item, the Skylar Stripe Lace Tank Top, was the reason for Mae to fight for full payment in exchange for her labor.
She made a post asking for advice
The teen, whose outfit consisted of the spaghetti strap v neck tank top and tan sweatpants, took to Reddit for advice on her situation.
She also noted that she wore “a sweatshirt over my tank top and only took it off after the kids asked me to run around with them.”
The teen shared screenshots of the conversation between her and Marianne, the mother of the two girls she babysat in April.
Mae asked for her payment when it was delayed
She wrote in the messages to Marianne, “I just wanted to reach out because I haven’t gotten my payment.”
“I know you guys celebrate Good Friday and Easter so I totally get that it probably slipped off your radar, but if you could Venmo me when you have the chance, that would be fantastic!”
Marianne said her outfit would be cause for lesser payment
The mother of two told the 15-year-old that she wouldn’t be receiving the full payment due to her outfit.
“We do not feel comfortable paying you the full amount after you wore such an inappropriate clothing to our house,” Marianne texted back.
“The kids love you and we are more than happy to give you a second chance, but we cannot pay you more that [than] $50 after you wore that outfit.”
The offered amount would be less than half her payment
“I just wanted to be in something flexible to run around in with Sarah and Eliza,” the teen responded. “$50 honestly does not feel [like] enough money for two kids and seven hours. I understand you do not feel okay paying me full price, but I’d be willing to do half of what I normally charge.”
In her post, Mae explained that she typically charges $20 for two kids and babysat between 4 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Users rallied behind the teen
Users under the post told her she wasn’t overreacting, with many praising her for having good manners despite the awkward situation.
“[Your mom] should call them and f——SHAME them. Make sure your mom shames them for being predators who lust for teens,” one user wrote. “Make sure you tell everyone teen girls are not safe there because they sexualize young women.”
Others noted her employer handled the situation poorly
Another person wrote, “If they were uncomfortable with your clothing they could have had a conversation with you. [In my opinion,] it’s just shady behavior and an excuse not to pay up. I also agree with what others are saying about them sexualizing you. It’s not cool.”
Mae shared a follow-up post
In an update, Mae said she informed her mother of the situation, who then emailed Marianne about it but “never got a response.”
In the additional screenshots from her conversation with Marianne, Mae noted, “While I feel awful that I offended you and Dan, we had never gone over rules about clothing.”
“I think that it is the best decision for both of us if you pay me in total and we can put this behind us.”
Marianne then made a comment about Mae’s mother
In response to Mae, Marianne wrote that it was “disheartening to see that you have grown up into another version of your mother” before ultimately sending her the $150 in full.
The teen then responded, “I will take that as a compliment, I think my mother is an awesome person.”
They decided they won’t be working together anymore
“I do not think we will be using [you] as a sitter anymore,” Marianne added in the texts.
To this, the teen responded, “Honestly?? I do not feel comfortable coming back to your house anyway, considering the way you have treated me, talked about my parents, and attempting to use me+ go back on your word.”
“I highly doubt I will be recommending you to any of my friends who want to get into babysitting,” Mae concluded.
