Blog 8: Are Some Jobs "Mindless"?

I feel like I haven’t written a blog in foreverrrrr. But let’s talk about service jobs and if they’re “mindless” work or legitimate work.

I understand how some people can think that being a server or some other type of job that requires serving others could be mindless work or something you don't need to be smart to do. Although these jobs may not require the same brain power as a surgeon, I still think they’re pretty difficult jobs 1) because they require a lot of memorization (something some people may not be good at), 2) they’re mostly physically demanding (with constantly standing, walking and lifting), and most importantly (well to me) 3) is that they require SO much PATIENCE!

I say the third point is important because I am someone who suffers from the lack of patience. I really try, and maybe I succeed in keeping my mouth shut most of the time and not rolling my eyes or laughing out loud at someone who is being ridiculous, but man is it hard!!

I’ve never had a service type job such as a server or retail employee, but I have had a few jobs where I’ve worked with kids, which everybody knows requires much patience. Actually I’m not really sure if that counts as a service jobs or not… but the way I’m thinking about a service job is an occupation where one has to somewhat cater to what other people want and need, and mainly adults too.

Anyway! For a couple summers I was a camp counselor and was in the group of 6 and 7 year olds, and another summer I was a teacher assistant at a summer school and was with a class of 5 and 6 year olds. All youngins I know. I really had to work on my patience during both jobs because kids at the age looove to test their limits and be annoying. One little girl kept asking me if I had a boyfriend and was super nosy in my life. Another little girl cried every morning at drop off and her mom would tell me to hold on to her daughter while she screamed her head off because she was going to make a run for it.

Although this was difficult, I think patience for kids is different than patience for adults. Maintaining patience for adults seems waaaay harder because you know their brains are more mature than a 5 year olds so you could assume they won’t act like a 5 year old. Well I’m sure this isn’t always the case. Plus adults can cop an attitude and an employee shouldn’t give into it, whereas if kids give attitude, you can kind of give them that I’m-taller-than-you-plus-evil-eye look and they’ll get the message that they need to start behaving. For the most part. You can’t really do that to another adult..

-----------------------

Okay, I had a brain fart and can't think of anything else to say. Yesterday, Saturday, was pretty boring for me. I feel like I really had nothing to do, even though I could’ve done homework, but I mean I wasn’t thaaaaat bored, you know what I mean? I watched the Amanda Knox documentary on Netflix and it was pretty interesting and a little creepy. If you know anything about the story, I can say that I don’t think Amanda and her boyfriend killed the girl so it’s good they got exonerated. But what’s weird is that this other guy, who had admitted to being at the apartment when the murder happened but says he didn’t do it, had been charged with her murder and got 30 years in prison but was then reduced to 16 years because of appeals saying he didn’t kill the girl. He basically just took the sentencing and is doing his time. Well now he only has 5 years left, and he still maintains his innocence… So if he didn't do it, then who did? That’s kind of creepy, what if the kill is still roaming the streets somewhere…

--------------------

This makes me think of prison jobs and the topic of mindless work. Like the guards and stuff, I mean I guess they don’t really need a degree in what they’re doing or problem solve much, but their jobs seem HARD. And scary. But they are occupations that are someone needs to do, just like any other job really. I don’t think it’s fair to judge a position of work based on how difficult it is relative to your profession. Of course you're going to think serving is a piece of cake compared to statistical analysis for example. However, if people switched jobs for a week with others, I bet they would find there is difficultly in even the slightest task because we all have unique strengths and weaknesses.

Hopefully this all made sense!

--Victoria