In the bustling aisles of an Indonesian supermarket, Evelin’s daily challenges went beyond the usual tasks of restocking shelves or assisting customers. For her, the real battle lay in navigating the prejudices and teasing from her colleagues, all because of her height. Her journey, though marked by trials, is a testament to resilience, the power of allyship, and the enduring spirit of an individual determined to rise above adversity.

I am Evelin, working at a large supermarket in a small town in Indonesia. My daily routine was fairly standard, involving tasks from restocking shelves to assisting customers. But I had one challenge that stood out: my height.
I’ve always been significantly shorter than most of my peers. This usually wasn’t an issue until I started working at the supermarket. There, some shelves were too high for me to reach, and ladders weren’t always accessible.
It didn’t take long for some of my colleagues to notice. Instead of offering assistance or understanding, they began making it a recurring joke. “Need a boost, Evelin?” they’d tease, or, “Maybe you should try for the lower shelves.” Their laughter echoed, making me feel smaller than I already was.
At first, I tried to brush it off, telling myself that they meant no harm. But as days turned into weeks, the teasing intensified. It went from friendly banter to more pointed remarks. There were times when they would intentionally place items out of my reach, making my job harder and turning it into a spectacle for their entertainment.
I began dreading going to work, feeling isolated and singled out. There were moments I’d hide in the stockroom, tears in my eyes, wishing I could be taller or that people would see past my height.
Then one day, Mrs. S., an older woman who worked at the cash register, noticed my distress. She took me aside and told me about her own struggles when she started working at the supermarket. Her advice was invaluable: “Your worth is not defined by your height, Evelin, but by the size of your heart and the quality of your work.”
Emboldened, I approached our supervisor and explained the situation. To my relief, he took it seriously and addressed the issue. Some changes were made, like ensuring ladders were more accessible, and the teasing colleagues were reprimanded.
Gradually, the atmosphere at work improved. I won’t claim it was perfect, but I felt more supported. I realized that speaking up, having allies, and not letting others define my worth were key. Through the challenges, I discovered a resilience and strength I never knew I had. And to this day, I hold onto Mrs. Sari’s words, reminding myself that it’s not about how tall you stand, but how you rise when faced with adversity.
Evelin

If you’ve faced similar challenges or have a story to share, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at hello@voicesunderpressure.com.