BY REBECCA MACKI
TODAY more women than men can be seen behind shop counters in and around the City. Yet they continue to persevere despite little recognition for their plight.
Solomon Women Newspaper takes on an inside look to speak with Trulyn and hear her views about being a woman doing the job as a shop assistant.
Solomon Women Newspaper (SWN): What is your age and where do you come from?
Trulyn (T): I’m 25-years-old and I’m from Malaita.
SWN: What is your educational background?
T: I only managed to reach Form 5.
SWN: How long have you been working as a shop assistant?
T: I‘m been working as a shop assistant since 2007.
SWN: What is your experience as a shop assistant?
T: For me, it’s a learning experience in the area of business, especially on how to run a business and become a successful business person. By observing and monitoring my boss I’ve learned many things in business.
SWN: Do you love your work as a shop assistant?
T: Yes. I love my job because in this job I met a lot of new people and at the same time make more friends.
SWN: Let’s say a customer is angry because of the long waiting/quality of sold product, how will you handle him or her?
T: By being gentle, patient, and kind even if the customer is angry. Just be nice to him/ her and then in a short while they’ll be calm.
SWN: How do you behave in stress or pressure condition to stay calm while at work serving customers?
T: I think for me I experience so much pressure and stress when I’m not feeling well. If or whenever I’m sick I still have to work because if don’t attend to work my boss will be angry even if I tell them I’m sick. So to avoid all this I just have to cope, trying to remain strong and deal with it by myself.
SWN: What can you say about the treatment you get from your employer?
T: The treatment I get from my boss is nice. I mean she’s different compared to the other shop owners. Others whom I know normally told me how their boss mistreated them. But I’m grateful my boss is quiet and flexible and understanding.
SWN: What is your toughest experience as a shopkeeper?
T: Lifting and carrying heavy things. In this job, I also have to do the man’s work. Like carrying heavy stocks or goods. I always get so tired at the end of the day. So as a lady it’s tough.
SWN: Do you think our Government or those responsible authorities should seriously monitor and try to help improve the working condition of our local shopkeepers?
T: Yes, especially by improving or increasing the hourly working rate. Because at the moment the salary we shopkeepers get is not enough it’s quite small. So, it’s an area, which I think the government should seriously look into.
SWN: How does being a shop assistant motivate you as a woman?
T: Learning to be patient with people and everything.
SWN: Is it true to say that we have more women and girls than men working as shop assistants?
T: Yes, it’s true. The number of female working in the shops are quite big than male. For me, I think it’s because most shop owners find it easier to deal with females than males. Because girls are quiet compared to a male who is usually too aggressive and males can be quite difficult to deal with. I think that must be the reason.
SWN: Anything else you wish to share?
T: One of the few things I wish to share with other shop assistants out there is: Always Smile at your customers be friendly be kind be patient be nice as a young lady.
SWN: Do you think looking clean, smart, and presentable is an issue for our local shopkeepers and shop owners to consider?
T: Yes. I think all of us shopkeepers should be smart, neat, and clean. Even if a shopkeeper is a betel nut chewer or smoker. He or she should dress neatly and be presentable.
