We ordered small full breakfasts and a couple of pints/ Canecas of Sagres lager. Well it was ten o'clock in the morning after all.
We noticed a council refuse lady jumping over the walls and retrieving plastic and bottles and other detritus.
She noticed us watching her work and could tell we were impressed with her diligence and dedication to her work.
She looked up smiling and said: "Bom Dia".
My mental jukebox started to play a Deacon Blue song in my head:
28o, an Irish pub, beer with brekkie, you're in paradise !
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see someone enjoying their work. Sunshine and smiles, what could be better?
ReplyDeleteIt was on Monday Linda. On Tuesday at six in the morning we went into another pub at the airport and they add full English breakfasts on the menu🤔. Surely it should have been full Irish breakfasts?
ReplyDeleteIt was refreshing to see cheerful women cleaning the streets JayCee. I hope they give her a pay rise for be such an hard and diligent worker. A lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me of that brilliant song Dave. So tight, enthusiastic and meaningful. There is indeed dignity in labour.
ReplyDeleteYou sum it up very eloquently YP. I love that song so much.
ReplyDeleteShame on whoever threw the detritus over the wall in the first place znd good on her for being so diligent. 28 deg C getting bit warm isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI think people must have sat on the wall looking to the sea and dropped their rubbish there Tigger. Nobody probably would have seen in but the lady wasn't having it. 28 degrees in October was getting to be uncomfortable but I would like some sun now we are back to the wind and rain.
ReplyDeleteIt all comes down to respect, really. Here, there has been numerous attempts to raise minimum wage. It is $7.25 and has been for 13 years now. It is an unlivable wage. No one disputes that, but the argument two pronged. The first is that if the minimum wage earners are disatisfied with their lot, they need to get an education and get a good job. The second is that if minimum wage is increased, we all will be paying more for our fast food. The arguments are moot, really, and all trace back to one very damaging opinion: that some people's work matters more than other people's work. By extension, it comes down to deciding who is important, and who is not. It should not be that way. There is dignity in work and anyone who works his 40 hours a week should be able to afford to live on the money he makes. (I know your work week is only 37.5.) Most places in my area, your work week is 42.5. They don't pay your for your lunch hour.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debby. I read that a street cleaner in Portugal earns about 8 Euros an hour. There economy is said to be 33 percent less expensive than Ireland or the UK. Most people could do with a pay rise at the moment. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI guess that I should point out that average rent in my town is $950 a month. You multiply that 7.35 x 40 hours x 4 weeks, you're earning less than $1200 a month. It is an unlivable wage, and it is horrifying. We are landlords and we do not charge these prices. It is usurious in our opinion. This is in large part why our tenants stay for the long term. It works for them. It also works for us.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to read you don't charge the current market prices for rent Debby.
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