They are having ‘Autistic and Hypersensitive Friendly Hours’ at my local Carrefour.

I usually go there once every 3 months or so. Today, I was in the area, and remembered that between 2 and 4 PM their store is now autism friendly. Curious as I am, I just had to try it out. What is an autism friendly store?

photo : made with love by @Nathalie Frennet

At first, before passing the entrance, there was still loud music and terrible light. Then once past the doors, I saw that only half of their neon and spot lights were on, there was no music, nobody shouted loud announcements through the loudspeakers or tagged products with loudly beeping scanning or pricing thingies. It felt like I was walking on cotton balls: soft and silent. There were many oldies, probably due to the hour (working folk often can’t shop before 4PM). It felt as though people would be much friendlier in such a mellow atmosphere. I threaded lightly through the aisles, almost tiptoeing, and got the impression one lady nodded at me comprehensively, a kind of “You too? Me too!” nod, and a sympathetic smile. I felt so respected but also super surprised. And thankful. And hoping nobody would break the mellow ambiance, ever.

And yet, there still was more than enough light. Couldn’t they just always function this way? Also, if they can function two hours without yelling in their microphones, can’t they just skip that thing For-Like-Ever?

Wondering what the staff thought of it, I approached a lady in a Carrefour suit near the yoghurt section. “Don’t you just love this calm? It’s so lovely!” and she answered: “Is it calm? I don’t even realize. I am so used to all the noise here, I don’t even hear it anymore.” Sneakily, her phone was playing skinny stripes of pop music. The poor lady was clearly numbed on the sensory level.

No people, it’s not us sensitive folk that are weird. It’s the world. How can people accept constantly being brutalized by noise, light, and people bumping into each other with their carts or their bodies?

For once, I felt heard. Because a big brand recognizes our existence and shows us they know about us and our sensitivities. And by doing so, it shows the world we exist (and matter, at least as clients), because it has been in all the papers. Even if it is commercial, because many autistics and sensitive folk rather go to small local stores for sensory reasons (among others). They want to get us back. I know. And just for today I didn’t care. The sensory surprise, the contrast, felt fluffy like the warm soft bath I needed.

PS : I forgot to mention, I am very sensitive at markets. Sometimes the light can be so harsh, I end up trembling and shaking, my legs would feel like rubber and my stomach like an empty hole. Years ago, I always had Xanax in my pocket, for me to take while standing in the line and losing it (‘flipping out’) from being overwhelmed. Sweat pouring down my back, every second would be a matter of mere survival.