Discourse
My first job was pretty simple, cashier. It wasn't hard to learn what I had to do. The hard part was learning how to get over being nervous since I've always been shy around new people. This caused me to blank on a very simple task (counting out change) one time. I started getting anxious that I wasn't doing anything right and then I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing. It was like I couldn't keep the numbers in my head and thoughts just kept slipping out of my mind and I just couldn't mentally grasp onto anything.
After a while, I managed to get used to things so I didn't have slip-ups like that again. I was able to do my job properly and I sort of learned how to be less shy around people. I can talk a little more casually and less anxiously to people that I meet face-to-face, so it was generally a good first job experience.
The part about giving very elaborate descriptions of dishes and using "magic words" to give the waiter/waitress the upper-hand in choosing a meal in Mirabelli's article is interesting. It's sort of similar to how some legal documents are purposely worded in a confusing way or become too complicated with concepts someone who is not part of the community won't understand. It gives the other party a chance to have his/her way. Mirabelli mentions an example of this strategy in his article, "Mars and Nicod examined how english waiters use such devices to 'get the jump' and gain control of selecting items from the menu".
I guess in different types of jobs I'd have to learn how to read the room. Like in a more casual setting, I can wear jeans and a t-shirt. But in a more formal setting (in an office or as a professional), I'd have to wear business casual or maybe something even more formal.
Mirabili said that people stereotype restaurant servers since the position is labeled as low skilled. Some people feel that restaurant workers are not providing significant contributions to society (despite the fact that they are literally serving people who are paying to be served). The article mentioned people from all walks of life (students with schedule conflicts, people with other jobs, people who don't want mentally exhausting jobs, or people who just didn't have the opportunity or luck to do something they wanted). It's a job with schedule convenience. So the stereotype of being lazy and/or uneducated isn't accurate at all.
Some people give actuaries the stereotype of being boring and stuck in a very particular role (see here). I think this job is mostly looked at with some respect but there is the negative perspective that actuaries put prices on human lives (health insurance).
Stereotypes can be avoided just by not associating people with their jobs so much. I mean, jobs do have to have some kind of personality that's compatible (like someone who prefers quiet and is not fond of children wouldn't be the best fit for a kindergarten/elementary/middle school teacher or a baby-sitter ) but that doesn't mean it defines who they are. People can have interests and passions outside of work.
After a while, I managed to get used to things so I didn't have slip-ups like that again. I was able to do my job properly and I sort of learned how to be less shy around people. I can talk a little more casually and less anxiously to people that I meet face-to-face, so it was generally a good first job experience.
The part about giving very elaborate descriptions of dishes and using "magic words" to give the waiter/waitress the upper-hand in choosing a meal in Mirabelli's article is interesting. It's sort of similar to how some legal documents are purposely worded in a confusing way or become too complicated with concepts someone who is not part of the community won't understand. It gives the other party a chance to have his/her way. Mirabelli mentions an example of this strategy in his article, "Mars and Nicod examined how english waiters use such devices to 'get the jump' and gain control of selecting items from the menu".
I guess in different types of jobs I'd have to learn how to read the room. Like in a more casual setting, I can wear jeans and a t-shirt. But in a more formal setting (in an office or as a professional), I'd have to wear business casual or maybe something even more formal.
Mirabili said that people stereotype restaurant servers since the position is labeled as low skilled. Some people feel that restaurant workers are not providing significant contributions to society (despite the fact that they are literally serving people who are paying to be served). The article mentioned people from all walks of life (students with schedule conflicts, people with other jobs, people who don't want mentally exhausting jobs, or people who just didn't have the opportunity or luck to do something they wanted). It's a job with schedule convenience. So the stereotype of being lazy and/or uneducated isn't accurate at all.
Some people give actuaries the stereotype of being boring and stuck in a very particular role (see here). I think this job is mostly looked at with some respect but there is the negative perspective that actuaries put prices on human lives (health insurance).
Stereotypes can be avoided just by not associating people with their jobs so much. I mean, jobs do have to have some kind of personality that's compatible (like someone who prefers quiet and is not fond of children wouldn't be the best fit for a kindergarten/elementary/middle school teacher or a baby-sitter ) but that doesn't mean it defines who they are. People can have interests and passions outside of work.
Hi Dana!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I used to HATE when customers paid with cash! Especially when I needed to give them change back, but at least the register told me how much to give back. But, after I'd hit the total button and they'd say "Oh, I have a a dollar and 4 pennies, can you just take this and give me less change?" My brain would just BLANK. I remember how stressful it was, especially because this was before I tried to be more outgoing at work. Ahhh, those were the days (not the good days, lol).
Mirabelli stated it very well, and I like how you included the part on magic words. Waiters and servers have to know all of the lingo and be able to not only write them but also read and remember them.
It's hard to not automatically stereotype a certain job, especially because the media helps our brains automatically connect a job with a certain type of person. But I agree we should actively be trying to not associate people with their jobs.
Great post!
Yliana Alba
Hey Dana, I can relate to how hard it was to be a shy bug and join a job working with people. I like that working as a cashier helped you become less shy. You are right that people should not label people based on their jobs. People's life is much more than a job. I think it is also important to do more research on people's job in order to prevent negative/positive assumptions. Thank you for sharing
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