I have been told many times that I "look like a librarian", (i'm 27 and
kind of averagey looking, with long brown hair which is only in a bun
when I am cleaning the oven or similar) and while it can get irritating
after a while, it is not nearly as annoying as the way people fall off
their chairs when I tell them that not only do I have a degree, but you
don't get to be a librarian without one.
"You need a degree to stamp books??" and "wow, I can't imagine what
they teach you for that?" are the common responses. Once, when I was
training a library assistant, and showing him our standard way of
sticking labels to the book, he asked me if I had learned this at
university!!!
Amazingly, I let him live, but it does get on my nerves, even my
friends have displayed this attitude until I let them know what I do.
Once they understand, their respect for the job goes way up.
I actually think quite seriously that a TV programme would help (unless
it was the previously mentioned ITV one with Keith Chegwin!). The
problem isn't that we are dull, or or our jobs are not worthy of
respect, it is just that people are ignorant of what we do. That's not
an easy problem to solve, though, I think stereotypes are her to stay.
=====
Lesley
xxxx
________________________________________________________________________
Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo!
Messenger http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com/
|