Stereotypes in the Workplace – Surf Shop
Surf Shop – Stereotypes in the Workforce
About three years ago a young girl out of high school presented her self at my Surf Shop and asked me if I had any positions available. I had quizzed her about why she would like to work in a Surf Shop, and thought at the time she didn’t fit the typical stereotypes in the workplace of a Surf Shop. Her answers to my questions were typically cliche, but I might add, were answered with enthusiasm. There also seemed an eagerness in the way she answered, a true positiveness that was refreshingly different. I replied “not at the moment, but I’ll think about it, and you come and see me in three weeks time”.
I didn’t think to much about it over the next couple of weeks and to my surprise this young lady came in and said to me “Well I’m a bit early but I didn’t want you to forget you talked to me” This young lady is called Kirsty, and she is now a major part of the day to day running of my Surf Shop business at Peregian Beach. She is an integral part of the Surf Shop Peregian Beach operation, and even more so to my wife, who has adopted her as another daughter.
Now where is this all eluding to, well, over the last three years and now more recently I’ll be specific and point out that some male customers, (the 2% I’ll call them), have from time to time addressed her in ordinary language, derogatory name calling on social media, and also added body language in store, you get the picture, that she is female, doesn’t surf, so what would she know about surfing and running a Surf Shop.
To that 2%,I previously mentioned, my idea is this, when ever you are out and about store jumping for your surfing bargains, take it on face value that the person employed at the store you visit, knows what they are employed to know, despite what they look like, whether male or female, would be a great start.
Kirsty in her Grom days surfed a small Aloha surfboard, so she did surf, but life has its twists and turns and took her in other directions, and one being employed with us at Surf Shop Peregian Beach, and we are glad for that..
Stereotypes in the Workplace
Stereotypes in the Workplace
I’m thinking that Kirsty in some peoples minds just doesn’t fit what some see as the stereotype of a surfy kind of girl, that would typically work in a Surf Shop, not being one that easily fits in with the language and the look. Yes, she is definitely not the surfy looking kind of girl. That’s just the point I’m making to the 2%,… Just because a shop assistant doesn’t look the part, doesn’t mean they don’t know the job.
Kirsty takes it upon her self to become knowledgeable in all things that pertain to the Surf Shop and the products we sell, and in some cases she knows more about the products we sell than the reps that sell the stuff to us, and that is the case with Kirsty at Surf Shop Peregian Beach.
When doing this draft my mates have commented “why give the 2% any time of day”…I say “ignorance is bliss and you have to start some where to reduce that 2% in this perfect world”.
To the 98% of our male customers that are pleasantly surprised at her knowledge and service, and often thank her for her for that, we in turn thank you for your patronage.
And now a little light relief…enjoy the klip!
Great vid but its fake, and you can see that because the waves come from Sydney Harbour Bridge Parramatta direction, not the ocean direction. Decide for yourself.
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Surf Shop Peregian Beach.
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