I assume I just have “the look”. Because it’s a semi-frequent situation for me to be standing in a store shopping and minding my own business, only to have someone assume I’m an employee and ask me a question like “Where do ya’ll keep the bathroom cleaner?” or “Can you check and see if they have any more Banana Creme Oikos Triple Zero in the back?”
Then came the rise of those in-store shoppers and personal shopper services, and now even having a cart full of my own groceries doesn’t guarantee I won’t be mistaken as being an employee and asked for assistance.
I mostly don’t mind, though and I do go out of my way to help short people reach items on the top shelf if I notice them struggling. Women and older people usually seem pretty happy about it, younger non-geriatric men seem to be less enthusiastic.
As a short older woman I appreciate help with high items. If there’s nobody offering, I look for someone other than the tallest guy around, who gets asked all the time. The teen on her platforms or the guy who’s not quite 6 feet is just as capable of reaching what I (5’1") can’t, and might get a little lift out of being asked and thanked.
As a short younger woman, I like the excuse to climb on shelves a bit (even though it’s really just me standing on the bottom shelf for maybe 3 extra inches if I am certain it’s sturdy enough). When I age and this maneuver carries more risk, maybe I’ll shift to making others feel useful :P
The real short person playground maneuvers happen at home in my kitchen. Top-shelf item on the cabinet? Maneuver myself into sitting on the counter, and stretch to reach.
I assume I just have “the look”. Because it’s a semi-frequent situation for me to be standing in a store shopping and minding my own business, only to have someone assume I’m an employee and ask me a question like “Where do ya’ll keep the bathroom cleaner?” or “Can you check and see if they have any more Banana Creme Oikos Triple Zero in the back?”
Then came the rise of those in-store shoppers and personal shopper services, and now even having a cart full of my own groceries doesn’t guarantee I won’t be mistaken as being an employee and asked for assistance.
I mostly don’t mind, though and I do go out of my way to help short people reach items on the top shelf if I notice them struggling. Women and older people usually seem pretty happy about it, younger non-geriatric men seem to be less enthusiastic.
As a short older woman I appreciate help with high items. If there’s nobody offering, I look for someone other than the tallest guy around, who gets asked all the time. The teen on her platforms or the guy who’s not quite 6 feet is just as capable of reaching what I (5’1") can’t, and might get a little lift out of being asked and thanked.
As a woman who’s not quite 6’, it really is no trouble. My wife is regular sized so I’m very used to getting stuff down from high spaces.
As a short younger woman, I like the excuse to climb on shelves a bit (even though it’s really just me standing on the bottom shelf for maybe 3 extra inches if I am certain it’s sturdy enough). When I age and this maneuver carries more risk, maybe I’ll shift to making others feel useful :P
The real short person playground maneuvers happen at home in my kitchen. Top-shelf item on the cabinet? Maneuver myself into sitting on the counter, and stretch to reach.
You’ve got me sighing with nostalgia.