E. Boyer
It's hard being a waiter in this town. It's also hard being a gardener, a plumber or a receptionist. Just doesn't carry the same weight or have the same heft as, say...an investment banker or a real estate bigwig. Being a shop gal isn't as impressive as being a high powered attorney. A man as a mechanic isn't thought as good a "catch" as a financial analyst. A matter of regret in my opinion and, often the burden that comes with life in an small, affluent town where "keeping up with the Joneses" is part of the program. I imagine someone now is reading this column thinking how very true true it is that they'd be infinitely more happy as a camp counselor than in their current more prestigious job. What kind of work would we do if we had only ourselves to consider? What master do we aim to please when we settle into jobs that don't really suit us? Pesky 'ole Mr. Jones, I suspect. A tough guy we strive to keep up with and Mrs. Jones is no easier. In fact, I often find her to be the more competitive of the two. Remember: Hell hath no fury like that of a woman making her way up the socioeconomic ladder! And, God help her poor husband if he isn't on-board to co-chair the effort. Mrs. Jones, remember, has an image to maintain, right down to the perfectly placed topiaries at the front door. Damned if she'll let a kink in her husband's resume be the monkey wrench that keeps her from Piedmont's tip-top list. And that settles it...a Fortune 500 or the couch, Mister!. Because, let's face it, that kind of job has a different appeal to some than hanging dry wall or driving a truck. "Sorry, darling...your dream of being a camp director will have to wait until we've reached a certain level of success and then the neighbors will assume that we have so much money that the camp director gig is your way of "giving back." Poor Mr. Jones. I always thought he would have made an excellent camp director.
I know we can't remain forever in the youthful whimsy of our salad days. But, could we at least reconsider the rulings we make on what constitutes a good job? Sadly, people are often summed up and "socially pre-determined" based upon their job. I'm sure it comes as no surprise that there are folks in town who align themselves only with a certain kind and will go to great lengths to "get in" with a certain group. Some things, after all, never change. But, who came up with this list of good jobs, socially acceptable jobs, anyway? There was a time when blue collar jobs were respected. Neighborhoods were filled with men and women who worked in factories, department stores and driving school busses.
There is no question that throughout history, the actions of the wealthy and innovative have touched the course of our lives. But, I don't think the great work of some was meant to devalue the less publicized work of others. I'm amazed at and enjoy the technology that sits on my desk thanks to the brilliant and innovative minds at Apple Computers. But, I enjoy and appreciate it even more when I include a chocolate croissant, a cup of coffee and the view of my garden. Although Steve Jobs brought technology to my desk, the man who bakes the croissants and the man who tends my garden make the time at a my desk more pleasant. Who is to say which is more profound?
