The Little Things

It’s funny how we get used to things.

Those moments when you look back on something and realize how horrible it was. At the time, you didn’t even think about it, because it had been so normalized. It was the expectation.

Sometimes you don’t realize something is wrong until someone does it differently. That moment when you look at something and go, “Yes! This is how it is supposed to be!”

I had that experience today. I went to a restaurant, and there were two single-person bathrooms. There wasn’t a gender assigned to the single-person bathroom, there was a solid hook for my purse, and there was a changing table available.

How many times have I walked into a bathroom and there was nowhere to hang my purse? Sure, I usually figure something out. Maybe I hang my purse on the door closer or the doorknob. However, approximately 50% of the population carries purses. Why aren’t purses accommodated more? How many times have I gone to a restaurant and the chair was rounded or so light that it fell over when I hung my purse on it? Or when I have to sit at a bar and hold my purse on my lap, because I don’t want to put it on the sticky ground.

It’s frustrating when you have a need that seems obvious, but it isn’t accommodated.

This is why representation is important. There are a million decisions that affect people in a million different ways. However, if it doesn’t affect you, you might not think about it. Additionally, if you are used to not being accommodated, you might not say anything. Something that seems little might not feel worth the fight.

However, anyone who has experienced a company that charges a lot of fees knows how a million little charges can make a big difference. Sure, this one experience wasn’t a big deal, but what if you look at the bigger picture? What if you look at the sum of all the little experiences? It’s difficult to fight for something that seems small, and many might not take you seriously. However, this is why the little things matter.

I remember when I went to a restaurant in Mexico, and they brought out a little coat rack to hang my purse on. It made such an impression on me. It felt so good to have someone acknowledge a need that I had and go out of their way to accommodate it.

When someone accommodates you, it makes a difference. It makes you feel safe, seen, and valued. Your needs matter. Your needs are worth it.