NERVES OR NERVE?

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 210, 9 October 1914, Page 4

NERVES OR NERVE?

"I'm getting very tired of it," said Amy to Iter room mate, as she prepared for work on Monday morning. *' The perpetual clack-clack of the typewriter is getting on my nerves." Her friend looked at her sympathetically, but, being a wise young woman in her generation, she ventured on no stereotyped advice, such as is usually given w-hen a person rebels against the Things That Be. On the contrary, she strove to lead the conversation into another channel, without altogether ignoring the opening remark. "How often we hear that remark—'getting on one's nerves,' nowadays! The present generation have discovered that they have 'nerves.' Our forefathers had 'nerve..' Have ■ you-ever considered what a difference there is between the two?" Amy looked across the room at her friend. "Are you-lecturing met" Lydia smiled. She had roused herl '' You know I never lecture anyone. But I would like you to tell me what you really think makes you so tired an Sunday and so languid on Monday morning. Is it office work?" Amy paused for a moment before replying.. "I suppose it is," she said, halfhesitatingly. , '' How many nights we're you out last week?" "Oh, surely one must have some amusement after the day's work is over! " protested Amy. • "You came home on Monday night ! —tired out—after the dance and declared that it was a very tame affair. "On Tuesday you went to the pictures and yawned nearly "all through the entertainment. On Wednesday you had a headache and lay down (with a novel for company) all the evening. On Thursday you went to a theatre party and endured a dreadful crushing before getting in, and on Friday night you went around the shops until you were 'fit to drop'—to use your own expression. Now, which is the most tiringtyping in an office for a stated number of hours, or gadding about to so-called amusements, that really don't amuse you at all, but rather weary you, and unfit you for work?" "What wxmld you t have me do in my spare time?" *'' Enjoy yourself rationally—really enjoy yourself! Forget all about the office and typewriter, and seek to build up "body and brain. When you are off work relax thoroughly, and you will find yourself talking ; less of. things 'getting on your nerves.'" "I'll never use the expression'again -—at least in your presence! " said Amy, with a rueful smile. "I had no idea you were such an observant person. Nearly all the girls go out every night —how could one sit at home every evening and 'relax,' as you call it, until work next morning? They would soon become insane!" " Probably .they would," agreed Lydia, dryly. "But I did not suggest sitting indoors as a remedy for 'nerves.' The best thing working girls can do is to get out in the sunlight as much as possible. As a general thing they get too little of it —that is the reason so many of them look anaemic. They take lunch and a book with them to work, and sit in some quiet corner during the lunch hour reading and munching, instead of taking a brisk walk outside for even, ten minutes. When evening comes they usually hurry home, eat a hasty meal, and prepare for some festivity. It is no wonder they yawn over their work during the day. On Saturday afternoons it is the same —they mostly go out to swell the crush at a football nfatch, or attend some entertainment under electric light.'' "It is always easy to criticise. To suggest something superior would be cleverer," declared the aroused Amy shortly. "I am coining to that," returned Lydia composedly. "I have been dwelling on the subject, in my mind, for some time past. We hear a good deal of people being sweated by employers, but in most cases they are self-sweated.

The hours spent at work are. not nearly so severe on girls as the hours spent in chasing (so-called) amusement. I am sure of it. Working girls want eight or nine hours' restful sleep. They want three good nourishing meals a day, and they want outdoor exercise and amusement at regular intervals, too. If they looked after themselves properly there would be less complaints about nerves and unfeeling employers. Why, they can't do justice to their work if they are tired through knocking themselves up needlessly. And yet they resent any reprimand from their employer if work is carelessly done,, and denounce him as a sweater. If girls sweated them- j selves less- they would not earn reprimands for ill-done or careless work. Regular work should be a pleasure to young people, not accepted as a punishment to be continually cavilled at." "I'm waiting for the suggestion of how to spend one's time when off duty," said Amy impatiently. "Don't shed any tears over the employers; they can take care of themselves, I'm sure. That detestable old Bigpursy snapped me up dreadfully last Friday because I overlooked a ietter he said was urgent. I was dreadfully tired, too, that day after the theatre party the night before, and my ribs were quite sore from the crushing I'd got." Lydia laughed at her friend's vehemence. "Now, here are my suggestions for working girls. Whether you approve of them is another matter. I think myself they are sensible and practical. Rise at a regular hour every morning and eat a good breakfast. If you take lunch with you, pack up something appetising and nourishing (chiefly fruit); do not read while you are eat-, ing it, but immediately you've finished go out«forv a ten minutes' walk. When you come home after work is over for the day, have a bath and change your outdoor attire before taking dinner. Eat slowly, and enjoy your food. Make it a rule to go out nearly every eveningriot necessarily to dances or picture shows, but frequently to gardens, parks etc. Take a book or sewing with you when the evenings are long, and you will return feeling 'real good.' When you decide to go to a theatre, go to a good play. Leave cheap entertainments alone. If you only go once in ! a while you can afford to pay for a! good seat and avoid the crush and its j afjer effects. On fine Saturday after-1 noons I would suggest a few girls clubbing together and having a picnic in the gardens; or, if the weather was unfavourable for that, a trip to the museum or some indoor public place, with afternoon tea as a wind-up. There arei several delightful spots about well worth visiting, if girls clubbed together occasionally and made little excursions afield. Then during the summer months there are bay excursions. What could be healthier or more delightful? Girls require to club together more, and plan out their own amusement. I have a good mind to organise a rational amusement club for girls. Will you join?" Amy laughed,-as she pinned on her hat before the mirror. You are quite an advanced woman, Lydia! Will you call it the Adamless Eden?" she suggested mischievously. "I believe you'd have the nerve! " Lydia laughed good-naturedly. "Better to have nerve than nerves."—Melbourne "Age."