hesmagicandmyth:

softened-hearts:

lilituaster:

So I was late and just to double check, I decided to buy a pregnancy test. I’m on hormonal birth control so lateness is common for me, but still. Just a precaution.

Anyways, the pregnancy tests were locked, so I had to ring the bell for someone to unlock it and the guy comes and asks in such an accusatory tone, “Why are you ringing this?”

And I was just like….. 🤨

And he said he was joking, but still. Imagine someone stressed and scared? That’s not the place to be acting like that.

As someone who’s had this done for me, and it was the kindest thing that I employed when I later got a cashiering job, if you get someone buying a pregnancy test in your line (especially if they seem nervous), here’s what to do:

1) keep small talk to the minimum courteous amount, unless they initiate more

2) do not acknowledge the pregnancy test whatsoever, but

3) when it’s time to bag the test, put it in a seperate bag, wrap it up with said bag, then put the test into the bag you’re actually using. This makes it practically impossible to see through the plastic bags and provides peace of mind that it won’t be seen if the bag is glanced in either

4) be polite if they thank you for this, of course, but again, DO NOT MENTION THE TEST otherwise

5) wish them a nice night or whatever you have to say for your store

Even if you’re getting the test for someone who’s excited about the prospect of being pregnant, at worst they might find it a bit unnecessary, but that’s leagues better than the alternative of drawing attention and making assumptions of a test to someone scared. And alternatively you could just throw it in your bag like any other item, and that’d still be fine, but when I was young and scared I was pregnant, that little bit of kindness and discretion from the older woman bagging my items made me feel a bit better.

When I used to work at a pharmacy, I worked in a very poor area.  Lots of Latinx and Ukrainian immigrants and a lot of poor farm families in the area.  I was making below the poverty line and I was rich in comparison to many of them.  If you are ever buying a pregnancy test and you are also in a financially tight situation, or hey, maybe you just don’t want to spend $20 on a pee stick, CVS and I imagine its top competitors (Walgreens/Duane Read, etc) sell pregnancy tests that cost ONE DOLLAR (USD).  These tests are required by law to be at least 97% accurate (which is all the more expensive tests are required to be as well).  Go to the dollar section.  Pick up the nondescript dollar box.

Furthermore, if you’re in a store like this, you have the option of buying them at the pharmacy counter or the front of the store so choose whichever line has the fewest amount of people in it or whichever has the cashier you think looks the least likely to make comments. I don’t know if it’s required, but when I started, my manager actually mentioned to me that we did not comment on items such as pregnancy tests/HIV tests/condoms/lube/douches/home drug tests/etc unless the customer initiated the conversation and then our words were to be kept to statements that were nonjudgmental (mostly fact based comments, etc).  In the year that I worked there, I sold countless of those items and only ever made two comments because customers started conversations. Both moments are so, so memorable to me.  


1. A lady came in and repeatedly bought whole stacks of the $1 pregnancy tests and she thanked me for having them in stock and not having a limit on how many you could buy. She told me that she really needed them.  I think I said something about being glad we could supply them for her. She then told me that she was a certified nurse and informed me of the 97% accuracy factoid above (It’s true.  I looked it up later.) Then she told me she ran a women’s shelter and liked to have them for the ladies there who needed peace of mind. I was always happy to see her return for more. It’s always good to know you’re selling something to help someone who can use every small bit of kindness available.

2. The second was for a man who came in very late one evening asked if we had home HIV tests. I know I smiled after I turned away, but it was the only one I had ever sold and I tried to school my face into something neutral before he saw me. I was worried this man was expecting difficult news. I went over and got one for him (they’re kept behind the counter) and he thanked me for knowing exactly where it was.  He said the last store he’d gone to didn’t even know if they carried them. And I couldn’t help myself. I cried in front of this man and said, “I asked where these were as soon as I started working here. I have never sold one before tonight. Two years ago, I campaigned in New York for me to be able to sell you this because I think it is important.” And he told me outright that he was a sex worker and then said, “You campaigned for this?” I told him every drug and medical advancement is campaigned for by someone, but that one was the only one I had pushed for personally. And he cupped my hand in his and thanked me and told me that if it were negative, he’d be back to test again in a few months. I never saw him again, but I also stopped working there a few months later, but let me tell you something, guys:

Treat a customer the way you’d want to be treated if you were terrified of the results or of someone finding out what you had just bought.  Buying “adult” things can be very scary and every small kindness you can show is important.

(Source: whitepeopletwitter)