I’M ASHAMED OF MY WORK

I work in one of the more upmarket hotels in a very popular holiday destination in South Africa. It’s frequented mostly by visitors from abroad as the hotel is extremely expensive for South Africans.

Something I’ve noticed is the arrogance of foreigners and how badly they treat the hard-working hotel staff. I’ve always believed no work is too mundane or insignificant and that people shouldn’t be belittled for the jobs they do.

But lately I find that no matter how much I try to convince myself that my work is worthwhile, I’m starting to feel ashamed to tell people where I work and what I do – even though I know it’s important as it’s putting food on the table for me and my family. Why am I doing this? Alphonso, email All work has a purpose, and if it’s done with dedication and commitment it can be a work of art. Society needs people in all sorts of occupations. If there are no doctors, there’ll be an epidemic. Similarly, if nobody collects and removes the garbage, there’ll be an epidemic.

Many competent, clever people in South Africa have not had the opportunity to study further or even to become literate. Some of these people have had to accept employment that they neither enjoy nor feel is worthwhile – but they do it to put food on the table.

The work one does is not a reflection of who you are. How you do it, and your dedication, is in fact what reflects your character. If you happen to come across someone who is derogatory about the kind of work you do, that person is not worth knowing and definitely not worth taking seriously. See them as a piece of fluff in the wind!

‘There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self’ – WRITER ERNEST HEMINGWAY