“Married” at the Supermarket
It was time to fill up the refrigerator once again, and so M and I went to Pavi, our favourite Maltese supermarket. It only opened a few months ago, and we were greeted at the door with the news that they now have the Pavi Bonus card. Great! We had been waiting for them to create one, thereby matching the other supermarkets’ frequent-buyer cards. We filled up the application, and since there was a long queue (today was the launch of the bonus card) M stayed taking care of it while I went ahead and filled up the trolley.
Before paying, we stopped at the customer care desk to collect the new card. It turns out that they did not require a Maltese ID number (which I do not have), and so M asked them if we could have a second one for me. Sure, no problem. BUT, I wanted both cards to be linked together. Otherwise what would be the point, if the bonus points are accumulating in two different accounts? So we filled up a second application in my name.
The clerk seemed a bit troubled at the idea of having two men sharing one bonus card account. “I’ll have to call the manager,” he said as he looked around embarrassedly. Fine with us, call the manager. Then there was an exchange that went roughly like this:
Clerk: “They want to add a second bonus card, but they have different surnames.”
M: “So? Many married women keep their surnames these days, so I don’t see how that would be a problem in any case. We are two people, but one household.”
Manager: (Quite serious and to the point) “What’s the problem? Just issue the second card.”
I am glad that the manager was no-nonsense and did not even blink for a second. The clerk continued to seem embarrassed, but that was really his problem. He was then flustered because my name was too long, but a few seconds later a card was printed in my name. I was so excited! Yes I was so excited about a supermarket bonus card. The Republic of Malta might not recognise M and I as a couple, and they might not extend to us any of the rights that many other countries do. But Pavi supermarket has officially recognised us as a couple sharing one household!
You have to start somewhere J
And also, it is my first Maltese identification card of any kind. I am so proud.
Hilarious! I can’t believe the clerk was so shocked. It’s a small gesture, but then, Rosa Parks refusing to change seats because she was tired made a lot of waves.
Congratulations to Grego and M (?? mmhhh). From now on I will even go more shopping to PAVI than before. Great policy! I’m proud of you two for sticking it through!
It was great catching up on your life again… been a while.
Jess
I loved this post!
Have a wonderful break back home Grego and see you soon I hope.
Besos,
tu amiga en londres
I like this entry. I like how the manager was unaffected by the situation. It’s a good sign for the future of the world, yes?
Congrats on your first Maltese ID card as well!
Hola, yo también soy peruano, mejor dicho italo-peruano, vivo en Italia desde hace muchos años y me gustaría saber algo más de tí. Me gustan muchos tus comentarios. Te dejo mi e-mail para que me escribas lo antes posible. Me fascina Malta! ¿Qué estás haciendo en Malta? ¿De qué parte del Perú eres? Yo nací en Miraflores-Lima, pero a los 11 años me vine para acá. Ahora tengo 34 años. Saludos, Fabrizio
Hola, yo también soy peruano, mejor dicho italo-peruano, dado que viví en el Perú sólo hasta los 11 años. Me parecen muy interesantes los artículos que escribes sobre Malta, un país que me fascina y que me gustaría conocer mejor. Me gustaría saber algo mas de tí. ¿Cómo así estás viviendo en Malta? ¿De qué te ocupas? Yo también estoy evaluando la posibilidad de mudarme allí.
¿De qué parte del Perú eres? Yo vivía en Camacho, un barrio de Lima. Ahora vivo en Chiavari, una ciudad pequeña cerca de Génova. Ojalá me escribas pronto. Te dejo mi e-mail.
Wow, interesting. Wonder if the clerk would have reacted the same way if it were two women … maybe the clerk would have assumed they were roommates or just really good friends? Glad to hear it turned out alright. The fact that it was notable makes me think that people in Malta are perhaps a little more liberal than people here in the States when it comes to same-sex relationships.