Jobseeker’s Diary

The week started on a relaxed note. With the elections, we didn’t work on Monday, Election Day, and Tuesday was also a public holiday. This gave me a chance to not only save on transport but also be able to get some much needed rest and do my laundry, two things I don’t often get a chance to do since we work every single day. There’s been some kind of euphoria over Paul Kagame’s re-election and many people are still celebrating. I would too if my candidate won 93% of the vote. I remember on Election Day, Jane woke up very early to go and vote. So did several other people in the neighbourhood and I’m not surprised by press reports that voter turnout was 98%. If only I was that popular! Celebrations aside, we’re back to business, hard work and all. Did you say I should count my blessings since there are thousands who would give anything to have my job? Well, maybe I should but then again, this is not exactly my dream job and I certainly don’t intend to work at the restaurant for the rest of my life. I plan to leave at the earliest opportunity but that’s something my employers don’t know yet. Trouble is I hardly get time to look for something else or even socialise and network in the process. Yes we meet several people when they come over to eat but this is not exactly the best place to meet potential employers. The whole waitressing thing, uniform and all doesn’t exactly cut a serious image and so I doubt I will make any meaningful contacts here. Call me paranoid but I still think people can’t take you seriously after they see you moving around with a tray of glasses and saucers and they certainly won’t be forgiving when you mix up their order! Good thing is they don’t see us mopping and digging or else we wouldn’t stand a chance. There’s however one promising conduit for contacts, in form of a guy who’s been coming to the restaurant for a couple of days now and it so happens that I serve him every time. He’s quite friendly and though we are not allowed to chat with clients, I can’t help talking to him and in this short time; our conversations have really become lengthier and more interesting. My workmates tease that the only reason he comes is to see me but I laughed their insinuations off. I’m not one to mix business with pleasure and I’ve made this clear to the gentleman. That said, I wouldn’t mind at all if he tossed some connections my way. My conscious says I shouldn’t use people, but the again, don’t we all get ahead by knowing the right people in the right places? My “friend” also happens to be generous. He has offered mouth-watering tips every time he has come over and seeing that I wasn’t benefiting at all, I told him he’s better off not tipping me at all since I don’t get to keep the money anyway. He was shocked at my revelation and went ahead to say it’s utter exploitation. He then said he still needs to thank me for my “over the top service” as he calls it. In the end, he suggested a date. “Coffee, dinner, away from here of course,” he quipped. With his charm, it was hard to say no but I did turn him down, mainly because I hardly have time to go out, even with someone who may connect me to my next job. To be continued…