Normally, I'm not the type to do this sort of thing, but I felt like this needed to be said.
I went into this Walgreens last night to buy some Plan B for a friend. I, being the person I am, go out of my way to help those around me, but this is something I am not an expert in. When comparing the options available, I noticed that one brand was about $40 and one was about $60, so me not being an expert, I went up to the check out desk to ask the girl working if she had any experience with customers buying more of one than the other, or if it was just a difference in brand. I told her I was buying it for a friend who needed it and she was very kind and very helpful. She told me that she would compare the amount of the active ingredient on each and if they were the same, then buy the cheaper one.
I went back to compare the two items, feeling very inspired by this complete stranger's helpful advice. My friend was in a state of distress, so I wanted to make sure that she got the best care possible. As I compared the two options, I found no difference other than the price, so I went with the cheaper option and headed back up to the register. The clerk was no longer there, so I looked around and saw her back in the pharmacy section, talking to her co workers about the situation and all of them collectively laughing about how I asked her for advice. One of them chimed in, "Well, I think abstinence is the best way to not get pregnant." Then, the girl I had talked to proceeded to say that she didn't know anything about this type of thing, so why would I even ask? And I just felt my heart sink. They were all laughing, and while I'm sure they didn't think I could hear them, I did. And that's no excuse to laugh at someone's expense, especially in your workplace where customers can hear you.
I was fully prepared to tell my friend about how kind and helpful this stranger had been when I went to get it, but instead, I walked out feeling quite disappointed and let down. Thankfully, nothing traumatic had happened to my friend that led her to the need for Plan B, but she was scared and the last thing she needed in that moment was for complete strangers to laugh at her expense.
If any of you are reading this, I hope you learn for next time that you should watch what you say because there is usually someone listening. You never know what someone could be going through and why they may need an emergency contraceptive. Thankfully, nothing traumatic had happened in her situation, but the next time someone comes in looking for Plan B, that might not be the case. Plan B isn't just for if you were messing around without being safe; what if she had been raped the day before? That's nothing to laugh about, and abstinence doesn't work in that situation. read more