I was quite surprised when we weren’t considered frontline in that second group of rollout of the vaccine. It was only when we went into lockdown that we were considered for it, which is weird, as we’re the only ones open that people can go to, every single day.

People are pretty much always the same. All of the customers that would already have been a good customer are like’ “Is everyone being nice to you, are you okay?” It’s really sweet.

But the ones that are refusing to wear their masks properly, or not scanning in and they’re like, I shouldn’t have to.

It’s mandatory.

The customers; if you get chatting enough with them, it’s really interesting. You’ll find out like, the snippet of their life that they’re just really excited about, but they haven’t told anyone else. Earlier this year, I came across someone who just sold their house and moved into a van. And she was like, terrified. She had a family and they were just living in that. And I mean you can’t give advice except just say, “well, is it working for you, are you happy?” But she just left so chuffed.

I do think people react very differently to the different age groups that are serving them, though. It’s good old-fashioned ageism. I think people give the respect that they think you deserve, if that makes sense.

The other day, I had someone yell at me in the store. It was right after the stabbing and I just didn’t feel safe. So I had to walk away, but no one was really trying to do anything. It was that bystander effect. People will come up after and be like “oh I hope you’re okay”. But it still happened.

I say call out people who aren’t nice.

I mean; the stabbing. Like I don’t want to say it was scary for us all, because Auckland was the one who went through it. But the fact that it was another Countdown, and it happened within a year of the other one, it’s kind of sobering to realize that I could die on the job. I shouldn’t have to think that, because it’s a supermarket. I don’t think it’s realistic to be thinking that.”

– Olivia