Tuesday, May 19, 2009

People Cost

Today I went to the dentist and there was the dentist (who actually sat next to me for the whole appointment), one assistant to suction out my mouth with that little sucker thing, and one assistant to turn the overhead light on and off whenever the dentist didn't actually need it. I guess so it didn't shine in my eyes?

A few other recent labor cost related marvels:
- Delivery of 12 yogurts to my door. That's all 12 30cent yogurts.
- Watching them demolish the house behind us manually. That means men carrying load after load of bricks and concrete and wood in little baskets perched on top of their heads to a dump truck, walking up the ramp, and dropping the rubble in. It was 107 degrees today.
- Never buying anything without talking to someone about it. You tell proprietor what you want (broom, Kleenex, tomatoes). His assistant shows you selection, discussion ensues, you bargain, you pay.
- Hand painted curbs. Black and yellow striped curbs. With a brush.
- Thrice (they use thrice a lot here, I like it)/week personal yoga instruction, in my living room.

This post could use pictures, still can't bring myself to snap photos of people doing manual labor simply because I'm incredulous.

9 comments:

Brenny said...

What a list, but I have to say the last one made me laugh. Personal yoga? In your living room? I guess you have to do it with someone there because you can't just turn them off like you do a video...

Elizabeth said...

My parents said when they go to buy furniture for the Elders apartments they have like ten people helping them. Have you seen their blog ourindiamission.blogspot.com

Amy said...

Wow. That's all I can ever think of to say when I comment on your blog.

Marie' said...

I don't know if I want to talk to someone about buying my personal hygiene products. Do you send Phill out to get that? Or your maid?

Kathryn said...

Brenny - it also has the advantage of my not being able to procrastinate.

Marie - I stock up when I'm out of the country.

Kathryn said...

Oh and Elizabeth, thanks for sending the link. I gave up a while ago checking on their old one, and didn't even think to look for a new one.

Mary said...

Is it all worth it for the yoga? I mean--I'm sure it's all worth it for other things as well . . . but . . .

noelle said...

i like amy's comment. she sort of echoed my thoughts already. and might i add you're a trooper? sometimes it's good to live vicariously and not actually.

a little music said...

I think it's neat that you actually interact with people for everything. We've just gotten beyond that in America, and I find that disappointing. We have the internet, the phone, etc., and we barely even engage in conversation at the check-out stand. I typically do, but people think I'm so odd (well, they may be spot-on!). I might be one of the last Americans to just engage in random conversation! I'm a dying breed. Maybe I should move to India.