Jobseeker’s diary

Remember the very loud neighbours I wrote about a few weeks ago? Yes, the ones who play loud music at 6 in the morning and whose children make the most noise than the rest of us combined? Well, they are not such bad people after all. The lady of the house loves to cook and she does this all the time. I think this is largely because she’s a housewife (and I don’t mean this in a demeaning way) and so has all the time in the world. She doesn’t just cook for her family. Many times, she shares snacks and food with anyone who will take it. I’ve been at the receiving end of her generosity a couple of times and I must say with the scarcity of food in our home on many occasions, her altruism is a welcome gesture. Not that I go out of my way to beg for food but when she offers, I don’t turn her down. Her husband has also given me a ride a couple of times, enabling me to save a buck here and there. My only problem is that sometimes, he leaves really early, and since we only start work at 9a.m, I find it hard to fill those hours, considering that there’s nothing to do before the actual work starts. And it’s not like we’re allowed to use the only two computers at the restaurant, watch TV or even read books or newspapers. These are strictly for clients. So I would rather stay home and only leave in time to make it to the restaurant on time, not before. The other discomfort I have with taking lifts from my neighbour is that he’s such a flirt. He doesn’t flirt with me but with several other girls we pick along the way and I find this disturbing. There’s one particular girl, who must be in her thirties who I think he particularly likes. From her body language, I know she likes him too because she even lets him touch her, stroke her hair and things like that. What I don’t know is whether she knows that he’s a married man. What surprises me is the fact that the man himself doesn’t seem bothered by my presence. We are neighbours so doesn’t he worry that I might tell his wife about these others girls? Well if he worries, he doesn’t show it. I feel sorry for his wife but I can’t say a word because it’s not my place to do so. I don’t stick my nose in other people’s business so I will not say anything, though I hope he will come to his senses soon and stop his funny antics. On days I don’t hitch a ride with him and I don’t have transport, I ask for lifts from other people. I’m not the only who waits strategically for rides so I no longer feel guilty for doing so as so many other people do the same. For the uninitiated, we “ask” by sticking our hands or palms out when the car is driving by. After all this time, we know specific cars to ask and those to avoid. ople are kind enough to stop even before we ask and I wish more would do the same. It annoys me every time a Surf, Prado or other “big” car just rides on with just one or two people. One of these days, I just might give them a lecture on helping “lower” people like us. They have every right to use their cars as they wish but I just feel driving past stranded people everyday is not right. What is it they say about being good to people on your way up because you certainly will meet them on your way down? To be continued… nsophie77@yahoo.com