The Wealthy and the Workers
My guest does not let the grass grow under his feet. He hustled himself to many restaurants, seeking a job. He found one at Cafe L’Europe on St. Armand’s’ Circle in SRQ, eight days after his arrival in the USA (He has a work permit and all that jazz).
St. Armand’s Circle is the upscale area of SRQ. Cafe L’Europe is one of the most upscale restaurants on the Circle.
He started work yesterday (Dec 28TH) at 10:00 a.m. It fell to my lot to meet him at the end of his shift. That was late at night.
I arrived at St. Armand’s Circle just before 10:00 p.m. The circle was filled with the wealthy. They shopped even at 10 o’clock at night.
And I was surprised, if not shocked because:
There were so many pre-teen and teens in their “packs”, swarming around and hanging out at the ice cream parlours, sans adults.
There were so many adults speaking languages other than English. It seems that SRQ is a favourite destination for wealthy Indians, Latin Americans, and Eastern Europeans.
And there were all too many young children, being dragged around by their parents at 10:00 p.m. I imagined that these little ones would be much happier were they tucked up in bed with Mommy and Daddy nearby.
But with weary eyes they hung on to their parents.
Such are the lives of the indolent rich.
Whether they know it or not, they are dependent on so many underpaid workers.
He finally emerged from Cafe L’Europe at 11:10 p.m. having worked for more than 12 hours at minimum wage.
And the Cafe has him there all day today (29th), tomorrow (30th), and on New Year’s Eve from 5:00 p.m. until God knows when.
O all ye Restaurant patrons. Spare a thought for those who serve you. Be slow to complain - they may be very tired.
St. Armand’s Circle is the upscale area of SRQ. Cafe L’Europe is one of the most upscale restaurants on the Circle.
He started work yesterday (Dec 28TH) at 10:00 a.m. It fell to my lot to meet him at the end of his shift. That was late at night.
I arrived at St. Armand’s Circle just before 10:00 p.m. The circle was filled with the wealthy. They shopped even at 10 o’clock at night.
And I was surprised, if not shocked because:
There were so many pre-teen and teens in their “packs”, swarming around and hanging out at the ice cream parlours, sans adults.
There were so many adults speaking languages other than English. It seems that SRQ is a favourite destination for wealthy Indians, Latin Americans, and Eastern Europeans.
And there were all too many young children, being dragged around by their parents at 10:00 p.m. I imagined that these little ones would be much happier were they tucked up in bed with Mommy and Daddy nearby.
But with weary eyes they hung on to their parents.
Such are the lives of the indolent rich.
Whether they know it or not, they are dependent on so many underpaid workers.
He finally emerged from Cafe L’Europe at 11:10 p.m. having worked for more than 12 hours at minimum wage.
And the Cafe has him there all day today (29th), tomorrow (30th), and on New Year’s Eve from 5:00 p.m. until God knows when.
O all ye Restaurant patrons. Spare a thought for those who serve you. Be slow to complain - they may be very tired.
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