I started working when I was about 13 years old. My first job was helping out my dad at his cafe. Before I started working, I don’t think I ever noticed the way that people behind the counter were treated. It didn’t take long for me realize that a uniform and name tag would dictate how I would be treated in the workplace. I’ve been called names, told that I shouldn’t be working where people can see me due to my appearance, talked down to, yelled at and had items thrown at me due to miscommunication on pricing. These are only a few situations I’ve encountered while working retail and food industry jobs. Events such as these can really take a toll on a person’s mental health. Some people, such as myself, have no choice but to take what is thrown at them because they can’t afford to be out of a job. We take what we can get and have to deal with it in order to make ends meet.  

​