Starting work was taken seriously when I was 16. I wore white gloves for my interview.    I was given the job as a typist. Working at a very prestigious boys College in Bristol… I hated being in an office, so it was good thing I tried life as a nurse until I was married. Nursing became a lifelong interest.

Working in an office however, was not my only job.

When my children were at school I took a variety of employment, whatever earned some money and did not leave my children waiting for me to come home; I worked weekends and nights, or just lunchtimes.

I trained as a waitress in one job, and we were trained well in those days. Silver service, and how to make French and Irish coffee, the process involving brandy or other spirits, and pouring the cream over the back of a spoon so it didn’t sink. ]

We were taught how to serve drinks and make cocktails. One new employer did a test to find out if I was honest, he asked me to clean a cool drinks fridge, it had a lot of rows of drinks on each shelf.

It was hard work but I took them all out and cleaned each one and got to the back. There sitting on the back of the shelf was a fifty cent piece and a note, I took them out, put the bottles back and went straight to the boss with the cash.

He just smiled, he knew then he could trust me. Some would have taken the money, or not cleaned at the back of the shelf. So an honesty test.

Shop work came next;   we were properly instructed on approaching customers, how to be polite but friendly. I loved selling clothes so was happy working there. I never pressured sales but was top saleslady for a while, mostly because the things I sold were beautiful.

Silk blouses and real wool suits, chiffon dresses, and everything carefully made to wear together. The items I bought with my staff discount kept my mother and I in elegance then, so have happy memories of working there.

I am broaching this subject of training because in some businesses the idea of actually giving staff an idea of how being a good employee enhances sales, is often neglected. No one bothers anymore.  

Probably nursing and teaching are careers that need specific training. Mostly, that is upheld, but working in a grocers or a dress shop seems to be poorly dealt with. Yet anything dealing with the public requires good common sense, hygiene standards, and an ability to handle the money and tills.

Some employees are naturally good at talking to customers, some are not!

Recently I witnessed a small café, newly opened. Not looking too impressive at first a few customers ventured in, but the young staff had no idea. Did they know where the foods were stored, or what was on offer, or even how to work the till….? apparently, they did not.

So customers were waiting longer than they needed, and staff were confused. This did not give the best impression. It also did not foster a feeling of confidence in a new business.

Perhaps in some small towns we need to fire up the young people we employ, make them part of the business, engage their interest, as life is tough enough out there.

We need to turn the tide and give life to the small towns again.
I love my town and want it to prosper.

 © 2023 Jacqui Lee