Five Jobs to a Better You
by Are you a good person? Are you a really good person? Do you adhere to the Golden Rule and do unto others as you would have them do to you? Here are five jobs we should all indulge in experiencing so we can see just how well we really do treat other people.
1. Waitress or Waiter
Photo source: Wikimedia Commons
They get the blame if the food isn’t out fast enough, or cooked to the customers liking. Wait staff often make only minimum wage, and in some cases, even less than that. They have more bosses than anyone, because not only is their employer their boss, but every customer is as well. Tips are often at the customers whimsy. Some parents allow their children to make messes at tables when eating out that would never be allowed at home, and the wait staff have to clean it up. On your feet for the entire shift, this is not an easy job, grabbed by drunk men, or perhaps drunk women, it is demeaning because to be rude to a customer, may result in a loss of a tip, or the loss of a job.
2. Fast Food Counter Staff
This is one of the high stress industries that sees its’ employees getting very little respect. To work well, they must be team players, be fast and efficient too, as well as correct. Serve somebody the wrong thing and they yell at you. Serve somebody the right thing, and they hardly acknowledge it and are not allowed to tip. You have to know every ingredient in every item, even though there are pictures in clear view of the customer. You have to know that they didn’t want pickles, even though they didn’t tell you this bit of information earlier, and you have to do it with a smile.
3. Retail Sales Clerk
Customers break things, then hide them. Customers often feel they are entitled to deals, and unmarked discounts, or they want to know when certain items are going “On Sale”. They get a bit upset that your store has policies that you won’t (or can’t) bend for them. Customers don’t
want to feel like they are being watched, but expect you to know exactly when they do need help. No matter how long it took a person to shop, they are always in a rush when its time to check out. Oh yes, dare I forget, “The Customer is always right”.
4. Hotel Housekeeping
The one thing about this job, is that you seldom have encounters with the customers, but you get to see a side of people that maybe you wish you hadn’t. The side you see is that of a person who knows that you deal with their mess after they are long gone. So a spiteful person might leave a mess on the floor in front of the toilet, rather than in it. Rock stars are not the only people who disrespect hotel rooms, regular Joe’s and their families do too.
5. Telemarketer
Who do you hate the most in the world? It is the lowly telemarketer, right? Try out their job for a week, see what being yelled at, or hung up on, does to you. Granted, I detest pushy telemarketers who don’t take “no” for an answer, but these people should be treated like people.
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Post CommentBlue Buttefly
On February 6, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Jobs that needs a lot of patient. I admire them but I am annoyed with the last one most of the time. Great post!
Rana Sinha
On February 6, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Interesting. Yesterday, I was talking to a waitress and noted that I could never do her job successfully. Telemarketer – I really am annoyed but I try to be polite. Then, they have the habit of calling at the most inconvenient times, especially when I’m in a bad mood – must be a galactic conspiracy.
Lee
On February 6, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I don’t know if I could do any of those. I would more patience with people. Good article.
Emma C S
On February 6, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I know I’d get fired pretty fast if I had any of these, I had enough trouble being nice to customers at Tescos when I worked there.
Joie Schmidt
On February 6, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Nice article – - it’s a good way to see things from another’s perspective.
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Katien
On February 6, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I did work briefly as a waitress, and also in a shop, so I have a great deal of admiration for the people who do these jobs – and do them with a smile, because it isn’t easy. Good article.
Ruby Hawk
On February 6, 2009 at 7:25 pm
These are all thankless jobs. I have worked in retail and I know what these poor souls go through.I feel sure waitresses have an even tougher time.I see how some kids act in these places. And you are right parents would never let the kids make such messes at home.
C Jordan
On February 6, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Respect is what it is all about. Good post.
nobert soloria bermosa
On February 6, 2009 at 10:16 pm
cool jobs that require patience,patience and patience.
papaleng
On February 6, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Jobs that requires patience and lots of smiles, nice article Mark.
Mr Ghaz
On February 7, 2009 at 2:13 am
Good work! You’re right, “patience” – it’s easy to say. however very hard to practice…there are a lots of virtue behind the “Patience”…Great article. Thanks for sharing
Brenda Nelson
On February 7, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I use to work as a waitress, it was really hard physical work, as well as mental and having to put up with rude or pushy customers was pretty bad some times…
I always try to leave my table neat as a result, when I go out to eat.
The worse was school hockey teams they always made science experiments (ketchup, napkins, french fries etc) in there unfinished drink glasses… disgusting!
Aldrin A Wilding West
On February 9, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Good article. Well written and it holds attention, it’s also something that Joe Public hates about themselves, and so keeps reading. I hope you’ve submitted this elsewhere, and forgive me if I’m talking to a veteran. If I get round to producing anything half as interesting, let me know
Tusaani
On February 28, 2009 at 6:39 pm
These are some really good points. I agree, they are all very humbling : )
Stephen Pomposello
On April 25, 2009 at 6:22 pm
I think President or Mayor should be treated on there, that does involve treating people (LOTS of people) and at the same time you’ll get treated a lot better than you do at any of the above jobs mentioned.
chicago hardwood flooring
On May 16, 2011 at 5:02 pm
wow these are all great jobs that everyone should experience.most of the time we dont follow the golden rule.however i have worked for one of the jobs listed and may i include it was horrible.
Selim
On May 19, 2011 at 10:31 am
Well,
But first rule is:”GOOD EDUCATION!”
Christopher E P
On May 19, 2011 at 11:22 am
Thanks for the nice article you have written. Keep up the great work on your blog. Also, just wanted to say your site looks great also
.
Eliot Pearson
On May 26, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Everything you said above it true. I worked in fast food services back in the day. The customer is always right… er… right?!?
resume service perth
On June 2, 2011 at 6:31 am
I do agree with you about telemarketer, they really should be treated as people. they are just doing their jobs.
Philippine Properties
On June 16, 2011 at 1:43 am
something funny but really true.
Oil Jobs
On June 16, 2011 at 5:01 am
I am also a working professional.I love my work.I have worked in retail and I know what these poor souls go through.I agree with your post.
Thanks
April @ Private Money Utah
On June 17, 2011 at 3:31 am
Jobs mentioned requires a lot of patience and good customer relation. I salute all those people who have these jobs.
Vente d'or
On July 8, 2011 at 5:26 am
I can’t help commenting as I worked many years ago as a telemarketer. It’s bringing me horrible memories, but indeed I will show these people always respect, because having worked on that I can understand.
Brian@rewriting editing proofreading
On July 12, 2011 at 9:48 pm
I’ve done cold calling, store clerk and fast food worker. Not sure if they made me a better person. Maybe store clerk did so. That was at a 7-11.
LawofAttractionRelationships
On August 21, 2011 at 8:55 am
You know what you are exactly right lol. Im currently a waiter and was once a sales clerk. Once you have held those positions, you will never look at them the same from the other side when your the customer. The golden rule so right. Put your self in your fellow mans shoes instead of scuffing them.
lovely @ spiritual movies
On August 23, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Those jobs are for the most patient people on earth only. I salute their being meek and being able to smile and treat customers still with smile even they are sometimes bullied. Great point you are bringing in here.
patrice@ Life tips
On August 24, 2011 at 1:08 pm
I was once a telemarketer and you are right, this job was really hard!
Trust me it is not easy to handle rude people everyday allday!
Vets in Charlotte
On September 20, 2011 at 4:16 am
These jobs primarily implies and develops your social relation among others. This tough jobs will improve on how you deal with different people, solve sudden problem and develops your skills in adapting with different environment. Thus,making you a better and strong person.
Rachel@ Counselling Psychotherapist
On December 14, 2011 at 7:43 am
I have done 3 out of the 5 jobs in your list and I can say from retail, waiter and telemarketing my customer relation interaction is one of my greatest attributes.
Mary
On December 30, 2011 at 2:34 pm
That’s right, people often look for the income when they pick a job, but more than that you have to pick one you love.
Marwan
On February 13, 2012 at 6:59 am
Job reflects personality in my point of view!!!!
Very good one!!!!
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