Today I stopped at a gas station on my way back from my oncologist visit. Upon entry to the store, I picked up an energy drink and a snack for the ride back home. When I was checking out at the counter, the receptionist look at me rather judgementally and asked (while looking at the green colored wig I wore today) “Can I ask why?” in a rather rude and judgemental voice. I didn’t say anything, because my transaction just finished and I was in a rush to get home, but I wish I did. I wish I told her, “Cancer, hope that makes you feel better now.” and left. Yet, I kept silent.
I have worked in the service industry before. When I did, I always kept comments to myself about a customer/client’s appearence. If I liked their appearence, I complimented them (espicially if it was something related to body modification like colored hair or a pretty tattoo), and it was always heartwarming to see their face light up.
I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in October 2018. I am almost done with chemotherapy, having two more left. It’s gotten to the point where my hair has thinned out so much, that to be presentable to society, I must wear a wig. I have wigs all colors of the rainbow — both natural and unnatural colored.
Oddly enough, it is near Saint Patrick’s Day as of the day of this post and I wore a green wig. If anything, the gas station lady could have thought it was related to. However, she chose to make a judgemental comment about my wig instead.
You don’t know someone’s story. It is not your place to make a rude and/or judgemental comment about someone’s appearence. Espicially if you work in the service industry.
