to think that most of us have worked behind a bar/ in a factory/supermarket/ as a cleaner at some point, HAVEN'T we?????

[bejeezus]

Came up in conversation today in the office, that I have worked as a barmaid; my colleagues where and I was equally that non of them have...I thought EVERYONE had worked behind a bar at some point in their life???

Ive had variousjobsinmylife, including factory work, working in kitchens, dog kennels, cleaning, callcentres; and now Im a professional

it gotme thinking--i went to uni and worked holidays/ evenings and weekends...now i think about it, hardly anyone else did that!

Am reading 'Chavs' at the minute and the author makes that very point....very large majorityof politicians have never done that kind of job and so cannot relate to the working classes AT ALL. It really hit home, how very far removed from normal folk, politicians are these days

But,most of yous have done/do these kind ofjobs-right?

I dont feel Ive missed out at all by never doing these types of jobs

I worked in a shop during my 'gap year' before university, and did bar work in the holidays. It was actually quite a useful experience for me even though I didn't plan to do work in that sort of area after graduation - confidence in a public-facing role, dealing with difficult customers, working as part of a team - all those transferable skills. And when you're interviewing for graduate jobs it's useful to be have some answers lined up for the 'competency' type questions, e.g. 'tell me about a situation when...'

Actually for my last summer I got a banking internship which was a big improvement in terms of pay and led to a permanent graduate role, but in some ways it was easier work!

YANBU

I did a paper round from age 13-18
Worked on a supermarket deli (in 6th form)
Worked in 2 chicken factories & was a cleaner, then Barmaid.(during uni and hols)
Worked in an Off- licence & Temped in offices (post uni)
More bar work.
Then had a career until made redundant whilst on may leave.
Now temp at a local nursery for min wage.

Babysitting from age 15, Saturday girl in M&S in the sixth form to pay for driving lessons, au-pair abroad, barmaid at university, M&S work in the summer holidays whilst a student, teacher of English both at a language school and privately, nanny/housekeeper between finishing one job and getting where I am today.
Best job was the last one, although it put me off getting married and having children.

I've worked behind the bar, as a cleaner and in a factory. The only one left I'd like to do is work for ASDA. I have applied but there's nothing at the moment.

I've worked in full time jobs since I was 17 but did bar work at weekends for extra cash between 18 & 21. I'd do it again if needs must.

its a class thing woops as in it relates to MC politicians never having done this kind of work- and not understanding the people that they are representing

Also, its interesting I think,howit is discussed in 'Chavs'- particularly what the author says about the Shannon Matthews case, and how that was reported to have 'lifted a curtain' into working class Britain....because people have no real eperience of WC Britain, if they are not WC..so how can they understand it,in reality

I've worked in a department store (not a supermarket but the same principle) and a factory. I work behind the bar from time to time now but I don't get paid for it. I do it for fun and to help keep a community facility open.

I've also worked on a building site and that has to be one of the best jobs I ever had!

I didn't do bar work because I was rubbish at sums, and it was in the days when you had to add the whole round up before ringing it into the till.
But I've done a Saturday job in BHS, which was horrible, and also involved lots of mental arithmetic with manual tills; babysitting, cloakroom girl at the Lyceum which was good fun. Various temp office jobs, and I also did an absolutely awful job trying to sell ballroom dancing lessons to random people out of the phone book. We had to tell them they'd "won" five free lessons, and if they came in, the vulture instructors would take over and fleece them out of their life savings. I always seemed to get people whose husband/wife had just died that day, so would apologise for bothering them; this got me into trouble with the supervisor, who told me I should have told them that some dancing would "bring them out of themselves", whatever that means. I didn't last long!

I think a lot of kids now would turn their noses up at what they see as menial jobs, because they can all go and get degrees in something ending in "Studies", so think it's beneath them.

But then again, in the 70s, jobs were very plentiful and you could leave one on Friday if you didn't like it, and start a new one on Monday. I don't think I knew anyone who didn't do some kind of work, you had to if you wanted a social life!

I've done shop work, factory work, cold call teleselling/telecanvassing, agricultural work and its not just the job and the work that you learn from, its the people you meet and the attitudes of 'management' when you are in those sort of jobs which would teach our politicians a thing or two.

I think the Molly coddling comment is a bit harsh.
I did babysit from age 14 for money, so I suppose that is similar. Hadn't thought of that. My parents didn't want me to work when I didn't have to (until I got to Uni). Even there, they wanted me to focus on my coursework and not on trying to make enough money. Once graduated from Uni I was able to manage money that I made from my teaching job (and given nothing from parents at all from that point) and take care of myself, pay bills, socialise...etc. I truly can't see where it did me any harm. I'll do the same for my own dc

I've worked behind a bar, in a factory and in a cafe.

I always worked during the holidays when I was at school and uni.

I enjoyed earning money, even though my parents were never restrictive with theirs.

Ooh, I always presume people have had other jobs too.

I worked in a fish and chip shop from 13, then retail, followed by bar and waitressing, an au pair and finally a teacher.

Some of my still close friends I met doing these jobs.

I think it's important mix with a variety of people.

Ooooo Cuffing chicken factory...[sick emoticon]

I don't think it's a class thing. I think it's a being right sized thing- not believing that you are 'better than'- that's why it would be good if more mps had done such jobs. Tbh you're as likely to find the child of long term unemployed parents refusing to do menial work as posh. MC kids are more likely to see it as a means to an end, chance to earn some cash and keep busy.

First job was at a greengrocer's when I was 13. It was fecking freezing and paid £1.19 per hour!

Next couple of jobs were in pubs/restaurants dishwashing, kitchen help then as a waitress. I also worked as a baby sitter for an agency (which horrifies me now as I knew sweet fa about babies and was regularly left in sole charge of several!).

All of my friends from the same time had similar jobs.

I've done my 2 weeks in a chippy (earned a bit of pocket money in my teens but couldn't stand the stink and found it exhausting), a couple of summers while at uni altering trousers and pressing and putting together orders in a suit hire shop (sweateeeee, but loved it and actually got to use some of my crafty skills) & a stint in a library.

DH had a summer job in a mail sorting place.

Some of us went to the local comp, others to good boarding schools. We all had part time jobs though. My (very mc father) insisted on it actually - thought it would instil a good work ethic in me (it did). He never gave me pocket money when I was not working, but when I did have a job he doubled what I earned - so I had an extra incentive

havepatience

^I think the Molly coddling comment is a bit harsh.
I did babysit from age 14 for money, so I suppose that is similar. Hadn't thought of that. My parents didn't want me to work when I didn't have to (until I got to Uni). Even there, they wanted me to focus on my coursework and not on trying to make enough money^

not knocking you nor your parents choices,but that IS molly-coddling, therefore its not harsh!

I honestly dont think that not having a job like that (job to get me through Uni etc) made me feel any different from anyone and certainly didnt destroy my work ethic.

figarello good tactic! i like your dad..

bejeezus it was bloody awful!
One factory did them from egg to packed for supermarkets, whole, thighs, wings and also marinated them for KFC. I lasted a week!
The other one was reformed chicken breast. One of my tasks was to squeegee mop the stuff that dropped off the conveyor belt down the drains. I have not eaten chicken kiev / reconstituted chicken for 15 years!

I have done bar work, worked as a waitress, worked in a florists, receptionist in a hotel, been an au pair, all during university vacations.

Apart from being an au pair which was a fucking nightmare, I loved all my student jobs, fab camaraderie, staying up late after shifts, drinking, going clubbing after shifts. I don't remember my uni days with such fondness as I remember the oart time jobs!