Sometimes I'm just amazed at the political correctness that surrounds us.
Apparently, Secretaries Day has been renamed "Administrative Professionals Week" by the entity formerly known as the National Secretaries Association (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals).
I'm struck by the differences I observe (between France and America) in the respect (or lack thereof) accorded to people in blue-collar jobs here in America. Maybe the Rights of Man are just more immediate to the French, maybe their society has a much larger blue-collar class, but one feels that the average bus driver, train station ticket taker, or bakery worker has a lot more respect from his fellow citizens in France.
Here, perhaps because of the pursuit of the almighty dollar (and I'm as guilty of this as most), those who make more are considered "more valuable" members of society--more worthy of respect. As if they exist on a higher stratum simply because they are worth more.
I wonder if this is perhaps behind the need to redefine titles in blue-collar (sanitary engineer) and lower white-collar realms (administrative professional).
Whatever the reason, I just find myself sick of it.
Posted by artandscience at March 6, 2004 02:28 PMI would guess a lot of this comes from the common feeling of Frenchness that everyone shares. And of course, countries where the economic systems are more aggressive at flattening the income curve might have less class-consciousness (at least based on money: I know that in France, one's path in life is set early on during the state examinations).
I'm convinced more each day that some aspect of public service should be required (not military service, but teaching or working in the DMV, etc.) to serve as a way to making people aware at an early age what it means to be a citizen.
Posted by: paul at March 6, 2004 08:35 PMI think you're right. It seems to me that countless young men are straightened out by a tour in the military. Imagine how much straighter they would be if the tour were compulsory. :> Doesn't seem to hurt the young citizenry of Europe.
I would consider tying it to the right to vote (as the Romans did). But then, that's probably just the authoritarian part of my character.
Posted by: stefan at March 7, 2004 09:53 AM