Other People’s Jobs

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 111, 3 February 1934, Page 20

Other People’s Jobs

“The main point about other people's jobs,” says the Morning Post,” “is that usually the seem to possess a superior attraction to one's one. In boyhood the mind runs on trains and soldiers’ coats; but in after years, having compromised in the Civil Service, fancy still glows, suggesting that accounting might have been better. Only at the later period, envy is apt to be born of a base contemplation of profits rather than glamour. Looking over the side of one’s own boat, other craft have a way of appearing to go faster, and perversely make one man wish to exchange with another. Even those who are satisfied with the rate of progress achieved may wish they had taken ship in another sort of vessel. But the slave of the desk who feels a desire to stretch the seams of his shirt with physical toil, and the labourer who covetously regards the worker who /Uses only his brain, would both be disillusioned could they change places. It is a pity that in this highly-organised world people are prohibited from making short sallies outside their own grooves. To try on the shoes of others would be to discover where they pinched, and would spread a wonderful patience and tolerance. How chastening would it be, during the rush hour home, if the passenger who grumbles at having to stand in the bus could take a turn at being conductor. The majority of us, could we try the occupations of our neighbours, would be astonished at the demands on temper and character they impose.”