Jennifer Breaks the Norm

As I was preparing for my outing I definitely had a lot of different emotions going through my mind.  I was very curious as to how people would act and treat me; in turn that made me very anxious and nervous.   Would people think I had it even though I didn’t? I was also very excited about the challenge and felt good about contributing to the campaign which pushed me onward! 

My first encounter took place at a gas station.  As I walked up to the gas station I didn’t notice anyone outside glancing at me but the guy behind the counter saw the shirt through the window before I even opened the door.  I walked straight up to the counter instead of walking around because I wanted to continue to observe him.  My sunglasses were on so as to not give away anything with my eyes for this first encounter.  He did smile at me when the door first opened but as he continued to check my lotto tickets and prepare new ones, he was pleasant but looked down the entire time.  As I turned to go he said have a nice day in what seemed to be a very sympathetic voice but still looking down.  Coming out of the gas station, gentlemen in a SUV looked at my shirt and with no eye contact looked back down and seemed to me to be pretending to be busy.  I felt like I could now start to tell that people were uncomfortable and not sure what to do (the guy in the SUV) or uncomfortable, yet sympathetic and not worried that I had it (the cashier). 

My next stop was the grocery store.  People usually are so pleasant to me, especially during the day.  I figure this would be a great place to go because I would be around food and also since it was during the day so there would be the perfect amount of people (not to busy or to slow).  I began going up and down each and every aisle.  I had my sunglasses off this time so that people could make eye contact with me.   At first, I felt like no one was really noticing me because they were keeping to themselves and busy shopping.  Normally, I do not get meat from the counter but there was a line so I decided this might be a good opportunity for me to see how people react to me standing next to them or just being around food.    

No one walked away from me but the other women in line looked at me and my shirt, half smiled and turned back around.  The man behind the counter was extremely pleasant as I might note about all the employees there.  They were however seemingly over pleasant and helpful which I felt was a better reaction then being distant like some seemed.  One older gentleman was definitely uncomfortable and tried to stay out of my way, another I would say middle aged man went to grab milk when I did and said no you go ahead and took his hand away.  I don’t feel like he jerked his hand away as in being scared.  He was very polite but I could tell he was confused a little by my shirt.  

As I was coming out of the water isle a lady looked at my shirt, made a bit of a shocked face and completely switched direction.  I could tell she was extremely uncomfortable.  At checkout time, I decided since the older gentleman (I had ran into earlier) was at the register, I thought it would be good to see if I could get a more conclusive reaction out of him so I checked out behind him.  He looked once at me and that was it.  Kept facing forward and never said a word to me.  

The cashier however was thrilled I was wearing the shirt and said he really liked it.  I could tell I made his day!   I felt like he was either being sympathetic to me because he thought I really had it or he knew about the campaign.  He was definitely overcome with emotion which made me realize that all the stares, lack of people talking and looking at me (making me uncomfortable with breaking the norm), were worth it.