Working: Dolores Dante and Phil Stallings

Every effort makes a difference in the world. Every job is important, no matter the authority or rank. Everyone in the work force is responsible and hold an important role. Their job impacts society, some people more than others. This important aspect leads each individual to be responsible and take their job seriously, no matter the field, and take pride in their role in society.

Dolores Dante worked as a waitress to get fast cash, and she was not ashamed of it. She loved her job and shared her pride with the community. This job helped her get by at home, the tips helped her pay off bills and make a living, to mend her broken home. But she was not ashamed to face the truth that she was a waitress, but was proud. Terkel shares Dante's story, "When somebody says to me, 'You're great, how come you're just a waitress?' Just a waitress. I'd say, 'Why, don't you think you deserve to be served by me?' It's implying that he's not worthy, not that i'm not worthy. It makes me irate. I don't feel lowly at all. I myself feel sure. I don't want to change the job. I love it" (331). Dante not only was proud to work as a waitress but loved her job and was good at it.  She made every little extra effort to make the difference. She was personable and spoke to the community, sharing her opinions on certain news or topics. She was political and free, speaking her mind. She was not plain, but energetic, careful, and concise. She made sure she did not spill, she tried pleasing the society with the extra efforts; she complimented people, she rearranged food a specific way to help with its appeal, she presented herself. However, she became so well-liked that she brought business in, all the business. She was the center of attention and everyone asked for her. Dante then began to feel guilty and stated, "People would ask for me and i didn't have enough tables. Some of the girls are standing and don't have customers. There is resentment. I feel self-conscious. I feel a sense of guilt" (333). Jealousy was brought upon other employees and guilt upon Dante. Dante should not have felt guilt. It does not make complete sense to feel resentment because she was just trying to please the community and do her job well to get payed and earn a living. She should not be punished or feel this way because she is good at her job, she should only feel pride and satisfaction. She not only served her community, but she worked hard and enjoyed it.

Phil Stallings job was quite different from Dolores Dante's and had a total different mood with values. Stallings worked as a welder at the Ford assembly plant for many hours at different units. This job was brutal and had no social aspect. Everyone kept to themselves, making their job easier. They were all intimidated by the foremen and scared if they disobeyed because the foremen had no sympathy or emotions, they were cold. To overcome the intimidation, repetition, and brutality everyone kept to themselves because no one cared. Stallings stated, "They'll have more respect, give more attention to that machine. And you know this. Somehow you get the feeling that the machine is better than you are" (356). This job lowered peoples' self worth and morale. They sunk lower for they were being treated as animals. They were not allowed to use the bathroom, no one ate on the job, and the sick continued working in order to keep their job. The workers felt like a nobody; no one spoke, there was no unity, there was no determination. The only motive to keep working was the $4.32 that was received per hour. Everyone hated their job and had a right to. Those working were degraded and inhumane. They did not have goals, or if they had any they were not allowed to pursue them. No one at the work force was able to reach their full potential. Stallings said, "But I'm against this thing where I'm being held back. I'll work like a dog until I get what I want. The job I really want is utility" (358). Stallings should not have endured the harsh rules at the workforce and should have quit to reach his full potential and be more humane. He worked robotically, withstanding any sickness or injustice. He stated, "A job should be a job, not a death sentence" (359).

Dolores Dante and Phil Stallings both had different experiences when working. Dante loved her job, while Stallings did not. He disliked it for it degraded him and held him back in life. These two stories contrast and show how difficult life was and how different people chose to earn a living. Some had a choice, while others did not. And some enjoyed their job, while others did not. I want to be able to get a job like Dante and be joyful everyday for I would love what I was doing. I want to be able to wake up every morning and be excited to go to work. I never want to feel guilt for being too good at my job, but I also don't want to have too much pride where it would transform into hubris. However, I applaud Stallings for continuing to work everyday, for many hours because he was not fortunate to have a job that both payed well and he enjoyed.