As the world economy takes a tumble, you may have to consider the complete panoply of your abilities in terms of keeping your current job or (hopefully not), finding a new one. So I’ve written a job description for a position that is held in Chile, usually by a twenty-something man (though there is some flexibility here). Think about whether or not you’d qualify, and then I’ll let you know what it is.

Duties and responsibilities

Greeting people.
Moving packages and perforating tiny tags, affixing part to packages and giving other part to clients.
Writing down names and phone numbers on a sheet of paper on a clipboard.
Executing yogi-like agility in leaning over people and closing curtains.
Distributing pillows and blankets, laying blankets, folded in half, directly onto clients’ laps.
Being a go-fer for the man in charge.
Turning off lights and possibly running a DVD player.
Turning on lights.
Handing out boxes of breakfast.
Handing out scalding hot cups of water for make-your-own Nescafe
Collecting boxes.
Collecting cups.
Collecting pillows.
Executing yogi-like agility in leaning over people and opening curtains.
Collecting and tidily folding blankets, five to a stack, placed overhead.
Holding the left arm of women as they descend the stairs.
Contorting self into impossibly small spaces to ferret out the aforementioned labelled packages.
Matching package slips with client-clutched-and-crumpled perforated tag.
Sorting out what to do in case of a lost tag.

Think you’re up for it? Then you, yes you could be the ayudante (helper) on an overnight bus in Chile. The more expensive the bus, the more obsequious you have to be. Don’t know how much it pays, but it comes with a spiffy uniform. Usually pants, a sweater vest and an underneath shirt, all in approximately the same hue. Mostly green, sometimes tan.

More bus chat to follow.