In a Country, where begging is a National Pastime, it is rather amusing, at times to hear the National Bodies tasked with the responsibilities of collecting and disseminating Data speak to the supposed low levels of unemployment, across, the Country.
Often when one hears these statistics, one usually questions, how these organizations, get to their conclusions, but sometimes when you hear the methodologies used, then you fully understand the reason for those awkward numbers, that seem to fly in the face of the Statistics being trotted out.
But be that as it may, and National Data, aside, it is quite the task to measure the Unemployed, as some, hard and fast cultural rules inform some positions, that if properly measured, would reflect the reality on the ground instead of some of these skewered numbers, that belies belief.
Here are some cultural truths, there are those amongst us, who despite their level of qualifications and or lack thereof, will not perform some jobs, as they consider them menial and or too pedestrian for someone of their stature, so instead of performing below one’s perceived level, one would rather beg, or simply stay out of the workforce.
Consequently, those with that mindset will lie, and say they are employed to create a ‘positive’ image, rather than admit to the fact that they are indeed unemployed, some unemployable, and survive by handouts, and or on remittances.
Correspondingly, there are eminently qualified people, and sometimes more qualified, for the jobs they take, but do so, to maintain their dignity and independence, rather than just simply stay at home, beg, and or rely on handouts, to survive and or join the ranks of the ‘Choppers’, and scam their way into wealth, and or a possible date with US Marshalls, to face extradition and time in a US jail.
In light of the above prevailing cultural ‘norm’, programmed prejudices, and socially accepted behaviour, our Editorial Team, at ImagsandProfiles, canvassed several Jamaicans, across the country, including a few in the diaspora, as the basis for this Feature, and we present our findings in the accompanying presentation:
10. Street Cleaners/Garbage Collectors:
In a Country, where begging is a National Pastime, it is rather amusing, at times to hear the National Bodies tasked with the responsibilities of collecting and disseminating Data speak to the supposed low levels of unemployment, across, the Country.
Often when one hears these statistics, one usually questions, how these organizations, get to their conclusions, but sometimes when you hear the methodologies used, then you fully understand the reason for those awkward numbers, that seem to fly in the face of the Statistics being trotted out.
But be that as it may, and National Data, aside, it is quite the task to measure the Unemployed, as some, hard and fast cultural rules inform some positions, that if properly measured, would reflect the reality on the ground instead of some of these skewered numbers, that belies belief.
Here are some cultural truths, there are those amongst us, who despite their level of qualifications and or lack thereof, will not perform some jobs, as they consider them menial and or too pedestrian for someone of their stature, so instead of performing below one’s perceived level, one would rather beg, or simply stay out of the workforce.
Consequently, those with that mindset will lie, and say they are employed to create a ‘positive’ image, rather than admit to the fact that they are indeed unemployed, some unemployable, and survive by handouts, and or on remittances.
Correspondingly, there are eminently qualified people, and sometimes more qualified, for the jobs they take, but do so, to maintain their dignity and independence, rather than just simply stay at home, beg, and or rely on handouts, to survive and or join the ranks of the ‘Choppers’, and scam their way into wealth, and or a possible date with US Marshalls, to face extradition and time in a US jail.
In light of the above prevailing cultural ‘norm’, programmed prejudices, and socially accepted behaviour, our Editorial Team, at ImagsandProfiles, canvassed several Jamaicans, across the country, including a few in the diaspora, as the basis for this Feature, and we present our findings in the accompanying presentation:
9. Waiters:
Waiters and Waitresses are the insecure favourite targets for snide comments, rude remarks, and putdowns. Not that some of these Wait Staffers have not earned the ire they have provoked, with their patronizing attitude and know-it-all behaviour, as some are trying. But it appears that most people, patrons in a restaurant, bar, or hotel, choose to talk down to waiters and or waitresses when they engage.
It is as if most people have some kind of inferiority complex, which kicks into Drive when they encounter Wait staff, and instead of being pleasant cooperating clients/customers, become belligerent challenging demons, determined to put and keep the waiter in his place, as a sign of his or her self-importance. Sensible customers know better than to argue with those serving them, but the insecure, always have a point to prove.
8. Household Helpers:
The real glue of the household who is the Chef, Housemaid, Nanny, and Baby Sitter all-in-one, the Household Helper, is highly regarded by the wise and treated with respect, but treated as an indentured servant by the obnoxious. Usually victimized by the Mistress of the House and occasionally, by the Boss, who will seek sexual favours from time to time, the Helper, in a well-run home, is an invaluable asset that is neither a threat to her Mistress nor a side-piece for the Bossman.
7. Gardeners/Handyman:
The Gardener/Handyman, is an invaluable asset, in any home as he, especially if trained, is the Jack of all trades who acts as a Close protection Security provider, doubles as a waiter, a loyal servant who treats your home and property as if it were his own. Usually from the old-school, he is quite “mannasable” and is loyal to the family in whose employee he is, to a fault. The proviso is, that he is well-treated and not treated with indifference and or disrespected.
Often taken for granted and treated with disdain by many, the Job of the Gardener is fast becoming outdated, not because of technology, but because of economics and the arriviste, whose background is similar to that of the Gardener, but having found “Get-Out”, now must Lord it over the Gardener, to reinforce their sense of having arrived.
6. Bus Drivers
Used to be a well-liked and respected individual and professional. Sadly as systems and protocols have broken down over the years so have the standards, resulting in a coarser, more confrontational character taking over the Job. As a result, the Populace has reduced its expectations and has become more skeptical and judgemental, discriminating even of the Busdriver. As gone are the days of the Uniform that instilled some kind of discipline and order, in drivers, and with the new rowdy attitude being the all-pervasive one, the population has quietly withdrawn and become more critical of this profession. Most no longer see this as an Honourable profession but as a space occupied by two-bit hustlers,
5. Supermarket Packers:
The Supermarket Packer, is another of the jobs, that is very thankless. To begin with, they are treated as employees by most of the Supermarkets in which they operate, but they are given a stipend and not a salary. So unless they have fallen in with the seasoned thieves who populate these establishments who know how to smuggle goods out of the Storehouses in Garbage, or Some other creative way of supplementing their incomes at the expense of the establishment, they operate at the mercy of the tipping Customer, as they pittance they are given at the end of the week or the fortnight, is not enough to get them to and from work, moreover to provide them with Lunch or enough money to contribute to their family’s wellbeing.
These workers, however, are usually treated with scant regard, sometimes barely acknowledged by people they serve on a weekly, Monthly, and sometimes daily basis.
Sometimes what makes it worse, is that these Packers are trying to put themselves through School, so they can equip themselves for better employment opportunities, But some customers have their heads stuck so far up their arses, they are oblivious to their surroundings and those who contribute to making their existence that much less stressful.
4. Window-Washers:
Considered a nuisance by most, the Window-Wiper, is to be found at most major intersections across the Nation’s Capital. And these street toughs, are as rough as they come. Most pretend that they want to exchange labour for a token cash gift, but in reality, most are menacing thugs, prepared to intimidate, especially female drivers, to get a ‘Smalls”.
Some have been known to grab a handbag or cell phone from a vehicle and dash into the traffic, that cell phone and or handbag never to be seen again by its owner, unless of course that owner is connected, as these boys have their oath of omerta and so would never rat on each other. So they have their rank of distinction. The truth be told however, those of us who Live in Kingston, have watched these windshield-washers grow into young adults, still plying their wares some twenty years after they first emerge on the scene, which speaks to the fact that they are not all purse-snatching criminals. And they do provide a service, especially during the rainy season when we tend to service our vehicles less than normal.
3. Prostitutes:
The job of the Prostitute, Male or Female, is demeaning enough by itself, they don’t need to be piled on by the high and haughty as their’s is a job of little redeeming value, as more often than not, they end up sleeping with the scumbags, of the society, who are so down and out, sexually awkward, and or ill-prepared, they are an experiment, the Prostitute has to endure for compensation.
And then there are the bored husbands with Constipated wives and a Side-chick, but still find no satisfaction in their arms, bosom,, and or crotch, and so they go shopping and end up with the cheap thrills provided by the Prostitute, and so live to endure another day, with the wife, side-chick, and family.
The Prostitute is usually bad-mouthed, scorned, and treated as outcasts, but in reality, their role (employment) is more than that of simply exchanging sexual favors, for cash and or Gifts, as sometimes, they act as marriage counsellors, and sexual therapists.
2. Police Constables:
Referred to as Dawg-seeds, by their seniors, Police Constables, are next in line of the necessary asset that Jamaicans Love to Hate. Usually fresh from Police College, except for being a Constable considered a Waster, by his superiors and or colleagues because of his or her inability to adapt to the Culture of Es Prit de Corp, the Senior Constable on the beat, is almost met with and greeted with as much derision and or disdain, as the new graduate.
This usually stems from the Young Constable’s desire to impress, and so is usually more assertive and authoritative on the beat, to mark his territory. This is noted by those who fall under his geographical sphere of direct influence, and in return, they build up a kind of resentment and pushback towards the young Constable, who if not guided properly, becomes a patsy, and a waster, for those civilians who think they “run-tings’ and so school the young recruits into the old ways of hail-fellow-well-met, instead of assertive policing. Until the Young Constable is Schooled into the les affaire approach to Policing, he is the second most disliked Employee on the block.
1. Security Guards:
Perhaps, this is the single most thankless job, ever. Even though the Security Guard, the job is one of importance, as the Guard acts as a quasi-law enforcement officer, and helps to maintain good order and peace, Guards are usually looked down on by the wider society, as being under-educated, under-achievers, who are too willing to overstep their bounds and assume authority where none exists, and exercise some imagined power, to detain and or talk down to those they think are too haughty and in need of a dressing down.
Generally, a well-dressed, well-spoken Security Officer is an asset to the Public, in public and or Private spaces, but this asset is one that the Public loves to hate!
