Ms. Shi's Little Life | Three Days of Part-Time Work

 　　This was my first part-time job since my freshman year (excluding summer and winter breaks, of course). I really wanted to write about it those few days, but I was just too tired. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow at night; I could even fall asleep while watching a movie with my friend. So I only have time to write about these past few days today.

　　(i)

　　The part-time job was introduced by Fei. It was distributing flyers for promotion. The pay was 100 yuan a day, excluding food and accommodation, and the working hours were eight hours. At the time, I really wanted to earn more money, so I went without hesitation.

　　But it was truly a nightmare. I wore my work clothes

　　over my hoodie, held up a large sign made up of two placards, and took the subway to the stations to distribute flyers. There were six of us, but not in pairs as my senior had mentioned; each of us was assigned to a station. For someone like me who doesn't even know how to ride the subway (although I often go out with my friend, I don't need to use my brain when I go out), it was really exhausting. On the first day, my dorm leader introduced me to the work assignments, but neither she nor I were familiar with the others, so when the stations were assigned, no one wanted to be on the same line as us. They wanted to be in the same class and have more to talk about, so they suggested a group of four. In the end, the senior student in charge reluctantly joined our line.

　　Here I want to say that even if you have difficulty communicating with strangers, you don't have to say it. It makes others feel abandoned. Don't you think communicating with more people is a good thing?

　　(ii)

　　When choosing stations along the line, the senior student chose the closest one first, leaving the other two stations for me and my dorm leader to coordinate ourselves. At that moment, I thought, "Damn it, you're someone's senior student, how can you go to the closest station and let two junior students go to a farther one?" I'm not trying to morally blackmail her, but if I were in charge, I would let others choose first and keep the rest for myself. Of course, I'm not saying I'm unhappy about going farther (it doesn't matter how far it is, the travel expenses will be reimbursed anyway), but I was unhappy with her method.

　　(iii)

　　I was terrified at the time, after all, it was my first time taking the subway alone, carrying such a big, heavy flyer. I felt incredibly conspicuous on the subway.

　　My dorm leader chose the furthest stop, and I followed the footsteps of others to my stop. At first, I wasn't very enthusiastic, just standing there blankly with the flyer. I tried to walk around to see where there were more people, but the security guard chased me away. I went back to my original spot, repeatedly taking back the flyers that were refused after being handed out. In the end, I just stood there with the flyer, observing the people around me. A very artistic long-haired girl had been waiting for twenty or thirty minutes, but the person she was waiting for hadn't come, and she walked dejectedly towards the subway exit. The motorcyclist next to me was carefully wiping his money-making tool, working hard but very cautiously. And there was the older brother who was also handing out flyers with me, his eyes filled with a hint of helplessness as he repeatedly reached out his hand only to have it pulled back.

　　I've always had a little habit, learned from my brother and maintained since: whenever someone hands me a flyer while I'm shopping, I always take it. It's a sign of respect for others and for the service they provide. Even if you don't take it, you don't have to walk away dismissively and act all high and mighty, right? Are you some kind of emperor or a king? We're all just ordinary people in this world; being served doesn't make us superior, deserving of admiration or groveling. I think they probably don't know what it feels like to be ignored, but there's also a vengeful kind of human nature—the kind that retaliates by doing unto others what you wouldn't have them do unto you. I especially appreciate those polite people who, even if they don't take the flyer, will sincerely look you in the eye, smile, and say, "Thank you, but I don't need it." Even if I'm refused, I feel happy because I've been respected. We're not inferior; we work harder to earn money and live better than ordinary students. It's just that others might see it as low-class work.

　　(IV)

　　The next day, I worked at the same station as Fei. With the experience from the first day, I was practically a pro. With one more person to keep me company, I slacked off even more. I was practically a mini speaker with my own music, putting my phone in my hat and humming Jay Chou's songs while handing out flyers—it was wonderful!

　　(V)

　　I still got up early on the third day, but only four people went. Two others had asked for leave, and Fatty said she had diarrhea and couldn't go. I found out very late, completely unexpectedly. She hadn't told me beforehand, so it seemed like our talk about making money together yesterday was all a lie or just my imagination. Actually, who wouldn't be tired after two days in a row? I wanted to rest too, and I even considered asking for leave, but would I feel bad about losing so many people? So I went anyway, on the last day. I'm a person who keeps my promises and tries my best to do what I say. Today, I was in a group with a senior colleague I wasn't very close to, so I rested a lot in the morning, just sitting on the benches outside KFC. In the afternoon, we went to another subway station to hand out flyers, where I rested even more. I slept so much I almost collapsed, and we thought we were sleeping on the streets. People looking for rooms kept coming up to us asking if we wanted to rent a place. I feel guilty. I took someone else's money and did the work for free. I feel like I'm becoming someone everyone dislikes. So I think it's more efficient to work alone. I won't let jealousy about her slacking off and causing me to become lethargic. Work is supposed to be inspiring, why make it so depressing? I love this world, I love life!

　　☆

　　The best lunch I had in three days was that bowl of wontons. It was warm and cozy, and the steam seemed to gently envelop me, a stranger, in another world.

　　☆☆

　　A part-time job experience in another district. My first time handing out flyers, I learned a little trick: you should face the text towards the customer so they don't have to turn it back to see the front. This makes you seem more humble! And don't go handing out flyers with a sour face; be a happy little fairy!