Interviewing 31-year-old Brooke about her daily life as a shift manager in a local corner shop revealed that there is so much more to working behind the counter of the store than just taking payment for goods. She has been employed there for over a year and started the role in a bid to socialise. Previously she had run an online shop selling house plants, “it was basically a Covid baby.”
So much more
Anyone who thinks that serving behind a counter is a breeze should really look again. In her daily life Brooke finds that she is providing support to the local community. Many come in just for a chat, as they feel isolated and lonely.
“Our shop is visited by many interesting characters, and this is one of the reasons I joined the staff, to become involved with the community.” Brooke adds, “the work has become quite emotionally draining.” She also finds that because of financial problems customers have become more desperate, and this is hard to cope with. When asked about her future, Brooke explains that she lives “in the moment.”
Emotional relief through burlesque
In common with many women who we see every day serving in our shops, performing care tasks, or the myriad other unsung heroes, Brooke has a side gig. Hers is burlesque. Following a painful split with a partner, Brooke felt the need to boost her self-confidence and wanted to throw herself into something new.
“Burlesque helps as it’s all about owning your own body and embracing your femininity on your own terms.” The first time Brooke went on stage she admits that she was petrified, but working with a cabaret burlesque team helped her and she started to enjoy the performance.
Fulfilling herself
These performances help Brooke to let off steam, relieve the pressures from the day job and help her relish herself – something that International Women’s Day promotes across the globe.
Brooke plans to continue working in burlesque. She wants to enjoy more live appearances and has also carried out photoshoots – ethical clothing retailers Stand have just commissioned her.
Once she had committed to becoming a performer, Brooke started burlesque technical classes and then joined Snapdragon, a Norwich-based cabaret community that puts on shows throughout the county and offers self-defence, make-up and performance classes for all.
Women are extraordinary
Not only does Brooke work in a shop, perform on stage and appear in photoshoots, she also creates and designs her own costumes, and is also a dab hand at applying make-up. The release provided by her stage work helps her give to the community when working at the shop.
Next time any of us talk to someone in retail – they are never just ‘the woman behind the counter’ – they’re extraordinary people helping all of us just get through the day. And many of them have fascinating backstories…
