“Can I get two coffees and an orange juice please?” She scribbled it all down – probably longhand, and with a ballpoint smile for the barista – “no problem guys, can I get you anything to eat?” A smile rose beneath his elated eyes, “you’re English! What are you doing here?” She courteously relayed the waypoints of her fourteen month drift through Asia that preceded these waitress days. She told of finding work in that city café, while back in a rented houseshare her boyfriend mused about his unemployment while experimenting with fennel in the kitchen. “Tell him to call me” the fellow pom casually suggested. Ring ring, ring ring, “you met my girlfriend yesterday, she said to call you?” chirped the fennel chef. “Hmm. Ah. Uh-huh. OK”. He threw out the fennel then confirmed, “I’ll come in this afternoon.” He boarded a tram, then a train and finally a bus. He checked the time, glugged down a coffee and checked the time again. He wandered in, shook the man’s hand, and an hour later bid farewell with a firmer shake. Ring ring, ring ring. “That’s great news! When do I start?” He boarded a tram, then a train and finally a bus. He checked the time and wandered in. “Hi, I’m Ant. I start today”. Continue reading ‘Field of Dreams’
Monthly Archive for September, 2008
Hi Ant, we’re really impressed by your CV, tell us some more. “Well, during seven years working for one of the UK’s largest publishing companies I established myself as a dynamic individual with a flair for fresh thinking” dramatic pause, “18 months of that period I was the manager of a team of eight staff and for a further three years I was responsible for a £1m budget to produce cutting edge print products; enhancing marketing and editorial projects with a creative and highly acclaimed approach.” Wonderful! So, what retail experience do you have? “None specifically. However…” deep breath, “…I was responsible for the production aspects of magazines with readerships of millions.” Good, any experience as a waiter, barman or barista? “Well, not exactly you see I was a bit busy, sorry” Ok, so you can’t sell t-shirts, you can’t wait tables, and you can’t make coffee or serve pints? “What about hostels? I think I can connect with them?” It’s out of season, Ant, goodbye. “No, look, I need a job”. Goodbye, Ant. “Jobsworth”. Continue reading ‘The Working Weak’
