Don't ignore the janitor
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Don't ignore the janitor
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Re: Don't ignore the janitor
#2Further, try to abide by their requests. If they want the trash can by the door to your office or cubicle on Thursday evening, move the damn trashcan to the door. They have 100 to empty; it's a trivial task for you.
We can get wound up in ourselves and forget to hold a door, or avoid spilling crumbs on our carpet, or log out of our workstation, or use a different hallway when the floor is being waxed, or to move the trash can. It's not really a reflection on our self-importance. It's just a character flaw.
Re: Don't ignore the janitor
#3I'll not forget the first time I heard this song [0] by Junior Brown, Joe the Singing Janitor.
[0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPMlhIw8E0k
My grandfather was a public school janitor after he moved from the farm to the big city for a better opportunity to feed and raise his kids. There were more than a dozen of them so steady work was important.
He cleaned the school and in the process set his kids up to be responsible adults. My grandmother used her sewing skills to become seamstress for the wealthiest families in the city too. Neither of my grandparents ever got rich in their new work but they did survive and set their kids up for success.
He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye and he loved telling stories. With a steady supply of grandkids from all his children he never lacked for an audience.
Thanks for posting this.
Re: Don't ignore the janitor
#4My first "real" job out of high school was working in a factory as a machine operator. There are two things that I remember hearing at some point that have always stuck with me:
1. It's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice.
2. Never forget where you came from, because you might end up back there someday.
Re: Don't ignore the janitor
#5How horrifying that someone would only learn this as an adult…
Re: Don't ignore the janitor
#6My first "real" job out of high school was working in a factory as a machine operator. There are two things that I remember hearing at some point that have always stuck with me: 1. It's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice. 2. Never forget where you came from, because you might end up back there someday.
>It's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice.
One of the best pieces of wisdom
Re: Don't ignore the janitor
#7My father was an elementary school janitor, so I have a different perspective than some. Something I've repeated often: "My dad worked for a living. I just play with computers."
Of course, in most offices in my part of the country, and I suspect in many other areas, is that the janitors are often Hispanic, with language being a common barrier. I wouldn't want to speculation about their immigration status, but knowing the economics here, I wouldn't be surprised either way. Unfortunately, it works out to be a de facto caste system, with the respect dynamic that accompanies.
Re: Don't ignore the janitor
#8And for those of you working from home, quit ignoring and disrespecting your cat.
Re: Don't ignore the janitor
#9My father was an elementary school janitor, so I have a different perspective than some. Something I've repeated often: "My dad worked for a living. I just play with computers." Of course, in most offices in my part of the country, and I suspect in many other areas, is that the janitors are often Hispanic, with language being a common barrier. I wouldn't want to speculation about their immigration status, but knowing…
The true test of character is how you treat someone who can't possibly do anything for you (anything big, I mean, not bringing your food).
As for the language barrier: a smile is pretty universal.
Re: Don't ignore the janitor
#10Further, try to abide by their requests. If they want the trash can by the door to your office or cubicle on Thursday evening, move the damn trashcan to the door. They have 100 to empty; it's a trivial task for you. We can get wound up in ourselves and forget to hold a door, or avoid spilling crumbs on our carpet, or log out of our workstation, or use a different hallway when the floor is being waxed, or to move the…
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