In the space of 24 hours, I have just seen the worst and best of human nature all based around that much dreaded quarterly trip to do a big bulk grocery shop, the bane of any station woman (and man too, I'm all for gender equality when it comes to shopping).
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A job that is much loathed, challenging and soul destroying at the best of times, but the restrictions, angst and judgement that comes with COVID-19 exacerbate these feelings tenfold.
I toddled off down the mountain range, to my local coastal city. I was a bundle of apprehension before I started and people's attitudes throughout the day did nothing to alleviate my worry.
I was sworn at, yelled at, laughed at and belittled. Being seen as a panic buyer or hoarder is the latest social faux pas, and in these heightened times people in their desperation to get food, forget that the people who produce that food need to be fed themselves, and fed well!
Part of me wanted to lob my solitary tin of baked beans in their direction, but my bravado or aim wasn't up to that. I fled town in tears, which lasted much of the way home, the potholes the size of craters sending the teardrops all over the dash, leaving pockmarks in the two inches of bulldust that graces the interior of my car.
I shared my frustration and sadness on Facebook, and within seconds the kindness started flowing. Strangers sending me virtual hugs, offers of toilet paper to be sent in the mail, offers to grab a bit extra when they are shopping, offers of others to come and be my big burly minders next time I dared to surface in public.
It was a timely reminder to always look for the helpers, and the kind people usually outweigh the unkind people.
- Charters Towers grazier Kylie Stretton
