To start a thread to praise professions that usually get panned

[PlayOnWurtz]

So here it is. The thread for the rejects of the working world. Come along and praise the unpraisable

SnatchedPencil You sound absolutely delightful, I'm sure the checkout staff are soon disappointed not to have contact with you

Traffic warden years ago. Having very very bad day/month/year, won't go into details but on that day I'd taken long lunch from work, and parked on a double yellow near my home to collect a bankers draft. Should have taken 2 mins, bank fucked up big time. Came out to TW about to ticket my car. He asked if it was mine. Yup. Well I've started the process now, can't stop it. Me: Fair enough, can't deny the offence really, can I? I must have looked as bad as the day I was having as he then went "Oh look, it's your lucky day, I HAVE managed to cancel it". I almost cried ...

Thirding prison officers. Some of the men I work with absolutely adore their old POs - still write them letters years later. They were one of the very few positive influences in their lives.

My DH is a manager in a car dealership. He genuinely tries to make sure every deal he's involved with marries exactly the right car to the customer. He spends ages making sure people are happy - it's not worth the hassle if they're not, or the negative feedback to the manufacturer. He particularly likes finding cars for families where a new baby is expected. They're usually so happy and excited with their car.

Waiting for my flaming but I hate the slating people get for having non-public sector, corporate type jobs as despite what people think, they're not always better paid, far worse pensions, longer hours too and are often essential to keep businesses that employ people running. They also get little sympathy for any workplace issues.

Social workers. It must be really hard to go into a confrontational family environment and try to help and find ways forwards. I've seen some amazing people find their way through really complex situations and the ripple effect of benefit to society is so underestimated and unappreciated. Its too easy to just read the when things go wrong stories. Who wants to boast that they needed help because they weren't coping, the really good stuff gets brushed under the carpet - the bad stuff hits the headlines. Its a no reward or lose situation yet they keep going.

Last year on my last day of college before Christmas, I parked up (on street pay and display) and started to walk over to the P&D machine when I spotted a traffic warden. He had taken an interest in a particular car and I thought "Uh-Oh someone's getting a ticket!". He pulled three quid out of his pocket and bought a ticket for the car. He did the same thing again around the corner.

I don't know if it was a Christmas good deed or his last day or he was just a nice bloke but what a good egg.

That's a lovely story Crackers - real warm and fuzzy one

Train conductors. I sometimes take the pisshead express - last train on a Saturday night to our rural backwater. Generally the mood is good natured merriment because it's quite early in terms of a night out but last time there was a vile group who picked an argument with the conductor and then started on my sister when she tried to stick up for him.

Oh and our bin man. His DD goes dancing with mine and she always tells him he stinks. Couldn't handle maggots for the world either.

His DD, not mine.

I know this because I work in one of the labs that processed my sample, I handed it for reporting personally, knew the result was typed up and available to my GP, but the receptionist claimed the lab hadn't processed it yet.

This happens all the time. The receptionists claim it takes a week to get results when in reality most are processed that day.

Completely agree with all previously mentioned roles but would like to also add anyone who works with children in any capacity, & people who work with the elderly. Preparing for a blasting on this but
Call Centre workers.

teachers

Dementia specialist nurses. Hugely important and stressful. Massively undervalued because dementia isn't "trendy", for want of a better word

But to get back on topic - Police, Social Workers and Bin Men for me (Or Refuse Collectors I suppose but ours are all men). I've seen a few posts on Facebook moaning about how bin men "these days" are lazy and miserable. Ours are fantastic. If I forget to put the bins out or haven't got to it by the time they arrive then they come in and get them. They take extra bags if I've got any and they always say hello and wave to the kids. That's a thankless job if ever there was one but I am very appreciative of what they do.

YY to bin men

LA SEN officers. There's some obstructive jobs worths out there, but we currently have one who kicks major arse!

Bankers

Every investment banker I know goes out of their way to pay tax, often finding ways to pay more than they have to. They work 60-80 hour weeks and still find time to volunteer when they aren't working. They're rich now but most of the bankers I know clawed their way up from horrifically under-priviledged backgrounds.

Blood tests and doctors receptionists. The information is only available to give out once the doctor has put it on the screen. Sometimes they come the same day if it's urgent and we take the results over the phone. It's so lovely this thread but it's no picnic taking phone calls at a GP. If it takes a week it takes a week.

Definitely social workers. DD's social workers have been amazing and such a help during a really difficult time.

School receptionist who end up as the front line for everything that goes wrong in the school, the majority of it has nothing to do with them but they get the abuse. The ones in my children's school do a wonderful job and are so friendly and kind when they are not being yelled at. And they are so vital for the running of the school. A very unappreciated and undervalued job.

Thank you school receptionists.

(Ditto for doctors receptionists too I expect, although thankfully I have little dealings with them at the moment)

We have lovely bin men, they are so friendly and work really hard. They used to wave to the DC when they were small. Also the lovely post lady we have who works so hard.

Our social worker is fabulous. He works on the Children with Disabilities Team and really fights our corner and tries to get as much provision for dd who has ASD and learning difficulties as he can. He is never too rushed for a catch up to see how we are coping.

Health visitors are another, one, has anybody had any good experiences with them. I know their always slated on here. I really never had much contact with them apart from getting dc weighted and checked.

Daycare workers

I don't know how they do it.