When I was younger, I worked at the local Hy-Vee (grocery store). In fact, it was my first job. My basic duties included bagging, carts, and facing. Needless to say, it wasn't the most glamorous of jobs. I remember that every night, a little after the dinner rush, the assistant manager would send someone to go face the entire health market, and it usually was me. I used to growl (not literally) and glare at them because in my mind it took forever to complete the task.
While facing, occasionally I would stop daydreaming and actually pay attention to my surroundings. Everything was so expensive in this section and I always wondered why anyone would pay that much for imitation bread that's rock hard and has dust on the packaging, literally showing how long it has been sitting on the shelf. People would sometimes come up to me and ask questions about the products in health market too. Most of the time I would make up an answer or simply say "I don't know" (I wasn't the model employee). I specifically remember a lady coming up to me one time and asking if I could tell my manager that Hy-Vee should think about carrying gluten-free ketchup. I agreed and told her I would tell them.
But I never did.
I kind of feel like a hypocrite now because, before I got diagnosed, I had no concept of what it was like to go through life with a serious food allergy. I don't necessarily feel guilty about my ignorance now because it makes me more patient with other people who don't understand Celiac Disease and have no intention to. However, now I am the lady asking for gluten-free ketchup and I sure hope the people I'm preaching to are actually listening.
(for more about my day-to-day life, follow me on twitter: @HoldTheWheat )
No comments:
Post a Comment