Terkel: "Work" The Last Three

As soon as my Korean friends even other International friends found out I'm an English major, specifically studying writing, they'd continuously ask me to proofread their papers.  I didn't mind and have pictured myself making this as a possible career.  For this reason, I chose  Tom McCoy's profile on proofreading.  Unfortunately, there's not much to say because he centered the entire profile on his boss and how his boss is intimidated by him and the young workers.  Not that this information is irrelevant, but I was hoping to get more detail in this job.

The second profile I chose was Herbert Bach, a memorial counselor.  Another possible career I hope to achieve is that in counseling.  What in counseling you may ask?  That's my problem: I'd love to do any type of counseling.  Marriage, family, addiction, school, anything!  But this is the first time I've heard of a memorial counseling.  I wouldn't go into this type of career since I have a history of attending funerals at a young age and have avoided them since.  However, Bach makes a great point when he says, "I am not a grief psychologist.  I think death is a personal thing.  We feel we have to do something to help people overcome their grief" (506).  This is interesting in that one could easily view a memorial counselor as a grief counselor.  In reality, death is a personal thing and must be dealt with personally.  There is only so much a counselor can be exposed to by their client.

Lastly, going along with this funeral theme, I chose the profile on the gravedigger known as Elmer Ruiz.  I was curious to know what he thought of his job and surprisingly, "I enjoy is very much, especially in the summer" (509).  Again, here is another example of a person who enjoys their jobs.  (I've seem to come across a lot of them recently.)  I couldn't picture myself having this kind of job, but after reading Ruiz' experience, the way he views death is not in a negative way.  And death should not always be sad.  Yes, it's not easy to accept the death of a child, but we all die at some point.  And this career is not to dwell on the emotions of losing a loved one.  Instead, it's showing respect and saying goodbye.

Ford: "Sauerkraut Soup"

My hometown of Freeman is known for the famous German festival named Schmeckfest which has anything from German foods to a musical play.  Sauerkraut is a main dish in the festival's huge dinner.  The first time I tried it, I'll be honest: it was disgusting.  Now, after eating it a couple more times, I learned to like.  Funny reason, but that's why I chose to read Stuart Dybek's story "Sauerkraut Soup."

The story reminded me of so many other stories I read with common themes such as drinking, working, and so on.  But I kind of liked this story mainly because it made me laugh.  While the other stories I read in Ford's book touched on reality and just a 'here's-my-life-deal-with-it kind of attitude, this story in particular was humorous and different.

Harry is my favorite character and so happened to be a psychology major in the story.  I didn't pay close attention to this until sort of the end when he appeared with Frank in Frank's apartment.  Reading this section, I got the impression that Harry was 'mad.'  Especially when he talked of hydrocephalics and his recognition of the smell of death.  I'm not sure if Dybek was poking fun at psychology majors.  I've often encountered people who have majored in psychology and are slightly strange.  But this by no means offended me.  Instead, I found it incredibly entertaining.

Not only was there a character who's major is psychology, but the main character Frank loves to read.  He mentioned, "My tiny apartment was crammed with books I'd been wanting to read and wouldn't have a chance to read once school started.  I'd been reading Russians all summer and wanted now to concentrate on Dostoevsky" (183).  This is definitely what my room looks like.  When I first read "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"  I went overboard buying any book that was related to WWII and the Holocaust.  That time period was fascinating to me although sadly tragic.  However, the idea of this type of character enjoying to read was something unique and not often encountered.

Terkel: "Working" The Sporting Life

I grew up watching and playing several sports.  One of them specifically is soccer.  During the World Cup, my family goes all out trying to watch as many games as possible, stuffing our faces with junk food, and keeping track of almost every player in every team.  Thanks to my iphone, I can download an app that not only tells me the information of every player but also the history of the World Cup.  I learn a lot about the countries which includes their style of play, their flag, and their ranking.  Unfortunately, there were no soccer player profiles so I chose instead Steve Hamilton (Terkel, 366), a baseball player.

Honestly, I'm not very familiar with the game but I have played it when I was young.  However, I did find similarities between professional soccer players and baseball players.  One of them being the duration of their career.  It's obvious but sad that as a player ages, so does their physical ability.  And then the team doesn't really need them anymore.  Hamilton touches on this but more so on how he feels, "To be perfectly honest with you, I'm ready to quit...I'm tired of the hours and I'm losing the zest.  When this happens it's time to leave" (368).

Hamilton also touches on social issues such as racism and instantly my mind goes back to soccer.  Many players are recruited from their international teams into leagues.  This means they leave their country to go to another country to play soccer, and yes, some fans are either super excited or not happy at all.  I can't think of one specific incident but I've heard stories of players such as Ronaldinho dealt with racist comments during games.  Even recently, fans threw bananas at one specific player--who's name escapes me--implying that he's an ape.  And he responds by taking the banana and eating it.

The second profile I chose was Blackie Mason, a sports press agent (Terkel, 373) because I am not quite familiar with what their job all encompasses.  So it was interesting to what Mason had to say.  One thing in particular was when he mentions, "You felt like you've been used and totally discarded for what you have just done.  I'm sensitive.  It stays with me, and then I find myself becoming vindictive" (375).  It's hard to believe that a sports agent would feel like this, and yet athletes are used as well.

Lastly, Mason enjoys his work (375) and that's always good to hear.  Sometimes, I get the impression that American often times hate their career.  But for the most part, that's not always the case.  It shows when one enjoys their job.  In my case, no matter what I am going through or how emotional I can get, I always stay consistent in how I treat my customers: friendly and kind.  It makes a big difference in their lives.

What's it like to be a salesman?

I've worked in retail before.  It's not easy.  It's not easy displaying items to catch people's attention.  It's not easy coaxing people to buy $100 jeans.  It's not easy 'deceiving' people.  Although to Johnny Bosworth (Terkel, 224), "I don't enjoy taking advantage of people" (226).  Instead, he puts himself in his customer's shoes (225).

Deceiving is a harsh word.  It's almost like lying.  Well, truthfully, it is considered lying.  But when the customer is willing to spend money, then why not give them the best?
I've been to several car dealerships at one time.  My dad was considering getting me a new car, but all I wanted was one that worked.  Well, being a psychology major, I was very alert and attentive to the behavior and words of the dealer.  I was fascinated by their friendliness and yet they asked us questions that really they didn't need to know.  For example, they would ask us what kind of cars we've used and are using.  With this information, I found that they would make comparisons to their type of car and made themselves look good.  Not surprising.  But it is easy to get fooled.

Deceiving others is a harsh act.  According to the narrator in the short story "Edison, New Jersey" (Ford, 151), he mentions, "I've been caught roaming around plenty of times but you'd be surprised how quickly someone believes you're looking for the bathroom if you don't jump when you're discovered, if you just say, Hi" (153).  In order words, he and his counterpart, Wayne, looted houses that didn't tip them.  Is that how business runs nowadays?  If so, how we can trust anyone who sells us things?

I appreciated reading this story because the character is Latino.  I recognized the Spanish words even though they were swear words.  This is the first time I've read a short story done by a Latino author that incorporated a Latino character and/or language and how they have blended into society whether good or bad.

Terkel: "Working" The Demon Lover

The life of a cabdriver...what is it like?  Booker Page was the first example I read, and honestly, I was a bit disappointed.  The information he gave was credible yes: I can see that sitting for hours does cause a lot of physical pain especially at his older age, as he mentions, "Oh, every muscle aches in my body" (Terkel, 197).  He talked more about the sea than anything else.  When describing his one year endeavor as a cabdriver, he kept on referring to being in a ship and traveling.  Being a cabdriver is only to save money so he can buy himself a schooner.

If one looks at Page's profession as one who is out in the sea, than his perspective is quite interesting.  I'm sure it's hard staring at the waters every single day and waking up to the motion of the boat.  Even Page declared it wasn't easy, but to him, "No matter how much you love your wife, the sea is drawing you...I have so much love for the sea" (197).  He knows exactly what his passion is.

I wonder if Page's example portrays a similar picture to most cabdrivers.  And that is...they have a dream.  While Page's dream is to go back to the sea, it would be awesome to know why cabdrivers are cabdrivers.  Are they saving up money like Page?  Or do they simply enjoy their job?

Lucky Miller (Terkel, 198) is a complete opposite of Page.  He has been working as a cabdriver a lot longer than Page and is also younger.  His reasoning for entering the cabdriving business: "I've always known the city quite well.  I figured it was a way of meeting a lot of interesting, live, colorful people" (198).  If I ever became a cabdriver, it would be for this very reason.

I remember taking the taxi often in Korea.  Although it was cheap compared to the US, it was expensive in Korea.  However, I encountered all kinds of crab divers.  There were some who were incredibly kind, always helping me with any luggage I had.  There were others who were excited in having a foreigner in their car.  There were others that just wanted to drop people off as quickly as possible and get their money (these were the possessed, crazy drivers).  There were a couple of instances when I wondered if any of these drivers cared who was inside their taxi. 

When pushing aside all overuse of the same muscles, and the aches and pains that come with it, being a cabdriver is actually honored.  I admire those who constantly drive people here and there.  They've got to know every inch of a city and it is their choice if they want to get to know their customers.

What we learn from our "customers"

"Interpreter of Maladies" (Ford, 303)
When our job seems to get the best of us, when we continue to do the same things over and over again, and when we become depressed, wanting something more from our careers...one little word can change our entire outlook on what we do.  So it happened for Mr. Kapasi who was told his job as a translator for a doctor was "romantic" from one of his tourists (310).  Once Mrs. Das said that, Mr. Kapasi began looking at his job differently, and even at himself.

What stood out to me from this short story, was that one word can open our eyes.  I think often times we complain to much about work and not enough on what we can offer to people.  I have been working since I was fourteen, and being a teenager, that's all I complained about.  But, I did notice that on the days I met customers who really made my day, I had to admit that I enjoyed my job.

For Rose Hoffman, a public school teacher (Terkel, 483), it's her students that make a difference in her career.  She keeps an open mind although it's tough dealing with third graders, especially as time goes by.  I can't imagine dealing with younglings all day every day.  It must be exhausting but to Hoffman, "As for retirement, yes and no.  I'm not sixty-five yet.  I'm not tired.  It's no effort for me" (488).

Another interesting point that Hoffman made, "I don't want to hear it.  It is not my nature to pry.  Even a child deserves  certain type of privacy in their personal life" (484).  It would be tempting to know what goes on in the lives of the children but at the same time, teachers are only teachers, not social workers.  In addition, there are some things that they cannot know as well as students not needing to know so much about their teachers.

Both of these examples just add to the list of examples of those who truly find something enjoyable in their job.  It's good to see that, especially when all around me I hear constant bickering and dislike for coworkers and customers.  To be honest, we are going to encounter people and situations that get on our nerves.  But how we handle that makes all the difference.

Terkel: "Working" Watching Section

Fritz Ritter (Terkel, 126) is a doorman and has been doing that for most of his life.  I find this job similar to that of an operator except for the fact he's face to face with people.  At first, I had no idea that job existed until I had watched a couple of movies years ago that contained doorman characters.  One doesn't think much of that person, but that doorman thinks a lot about the people that go by.

I enjoyed reading Ritter's perspective on his job.  He says, "...I have a nice job and I don't kill myself.  I wouldn't like to take off now and sit on the bench here, with the older men here.  I wouldn't like it every day, like friends of mine.  I'm active, I like to do something" (129).  Although every occupation has its cons, being a doorman can also be enjoyable.  I wonder if, for Ritter, watching people is sometimes overwhelming.  I wonder if there are at times when he really wishes to talk them even though he can't.

The complete opposite is a policeman called Vincent Maher (Terkel, 129).  I like how Maher describes his job because not only is he honest, but he is also a good man.  Although his job often time requires him to be cool and calm, tough and bold, he has a good heart (137).

When I was in first or second grade, I wanted to be a policewoman.  Honestly, I can't remember why, but now that I look back, it would be an honor.  If only I had the self control to hold my emotions in place while dealing with criminals.  If only I knew how to act in the right situation.  If only I could withhold fear.  I mean, this man has seen it all.  He knows how to act in the situation.

One type of role he has to play in his job is that of a father (136).  There is no doubt that a large percentage of criminals are young.  Who do they need most in their life?  A parent.  Even if the kid doesn't know them self.  Another role he mentions is a counselor (134).  A cop has encountered all kinds of criminals and delinquents.  There not a chance that they know nothing about people.  They apply psychology to their job (131).  On occasion, even though it may be prohibited, sometimes a criminal needs to hear advice from the one person that sees hope in them.  Maher has seen enough individuals to know that there is more to life than committing crimes.