Still, going by the expressions on those young folks' faces standing in the line, (like they're too good to be here), I don't think so. But hateful? Naah. More like contempt with compassion.
You see, I've waited on people much like the ones standing in line, and for a long time! I worked for the State for 22 years, most of them in an office much like the one you see pictured(or at least depicted)here. Believe me, I've seen a lot of characters come through our doors in all that time. And having had more than my share of working the front counter, I feel like I've had to deal with every single one of them.
I remember being told in training, back in 1991 when I hired on, that after a couple years we'd start to recognize the same folks coming through the doors--not just the folks whose work is weather-dependent, like your trades laborers, or seasonal like your bus driver/monitors or factory workers, but those dysfunctional dodos who just plain can't keep a job!!
Yes, we see them year in year out. After a couple years(really, less time than that)you see the pattern, the recurrence. After 22 years, you've not only seen these folks for a whole damn career(mine?theirs?)but you start to see their offspring!!And sometimes even their offspring.
We did witness a Mom and Dad(who'd been frequent filers, two of our chronic patients)bringing Junior in for benefits. Even though we joked among ourselves about it being a Kodak moment, it was really pretty sad. We were laughing to keep from crying.
So it goes on and on. I don't regret my years there, and feel good that I was able to help folks with some of their difficulties(even though I sure was tired of hearing about them!), but am glad to have moved on.
My leaving when I did, a year early, as actually Alternate Plan C(Plan A was working part-time, the option for which was eliminated, along with those working in that capacity; and Plan B was just to tough it out until my actual retirement in September of 2014). What I'd have really liked to see was a whole new crop of workers hired in 2014, 4 or 5 or more new folks coming in the year I'm heading out.
Boy it feels good being outa there! Like a big weight has been lifted. Thanks for the 22 years, but hasta la vista baby! Still, I hope there's somebody left to help those folks. And I don't mean the ones who won't do what they need to do, but the ones who can't. Who just plain can't do it. Fortunately there are a great many more who could if they tried..
