Culture Shock 101 : McPride in Moscow

Arizona Daily Wildcat Colin McCullough

I don't know how to explain it. Perhaps it is a remnant of Communism which thrust upon all good citizens the idea that they should smile while working towards building their empire. More likely, however, it was the realization by all employees there that they were fortunate enough to have a job and were going to make the most of that opportunity to work because they knew plenty who didn't have this chance. They took pride in their work.

In the States, I can't go a day without someone complaining that they have to go to work. Or every time I enter a fast food restaurant, I see Captain Customer commanding the person on the greasy side of the register to heed his every word because his career is more important than that minimum-wage-paying, burger-flipping excuse for a career. It seems that the employees are also lulled in to this train of thought and concede that because this isn't a "good" job, they'll just do what they need to get by and acknowledge they are subordinate to their customers.

Last semester, one of my economics professors took time out of class to tell us a joke which epitomized this train of thought: People with a degree in philosophy ask "Why?" People with a degree in economics ask "How much will it cost?" People without a degree ask "Do you want fries with that?"

I forced a laugh hoping that it would get me on his good side. However, looking back, I'd like to say, loud enough so he could hear me, "So what's wrong with that?" The thrust of that joke was that a job in the fast food industry was something to be avoided and even mocked.

You know, it makes me think that maybe occasional dance with unemployment isn't a bad thing. Don't get me wrong. A strong economy is great. I believe that people should do what they love with their lives. Though L. Ron Hubbard would disagree, we only get one go 'round on this Earth and we should make the most of it, enjoying what we can. But, if your job happens to be one that does not have the glamour of a CEO, don't let this cause apathy to crush your work ethic. You have no reason to be apathetic. You have a job. If you're really not happy, quit and find another job. You're in a country with a single-digit unemployment rate. Realize that there are aspects of everybody's job that bite the wax tadpole. Accept that and suck it up.

I'm working right now for a Russian radio station. My identification says my position is "Intern." It could just as well be "pee-on." There's nothing too glamorous or important about my work. I could get lost on one of my road trips to Siberia and never return to work. I wouldn't even be a pebble on the autobahn of the entertainment industry and, truthfully, I don't think anyone would come looking for me. For so long, that realization made me apathetic about my work.

But after today, I'll try to approach it from a new perspective. I'm fortunate enough to make a living in a nice, indoor environment. Meanwhile there are elderly amputees five stories down from me wondering when our most recent snow storm will end and their tears won't turn to ice as they try to scrounge enough rubles to buy a their next meal. Now, I must remind myself, that I'm lucky to do be able to do what I can and I'm gonna put my back in to every little thing I do.

So, to the billions and billions who have asked your cashier to Super-Size you - take another look at the people serving you. They may not have the fancy title you some day aspire to have. But they are struggling through life just like you and I. They may not have grown up in an environment where college was even a thought. This may be the way they put a roof over their head. Don't kill any incentive they have to be proud of their work by mocking their uniforms or talking down to them.

To those of you working - take pride in what you do. It's likely parts of your job will be unpleasant. They wouldn't pay you for it unless it was. Accept that and be thankful that you have a job. Be thankful that you're able to bring home a paycheck and make a contribution to the world. Because once you graduate, your work will be where you spend 70 percent of your waking hours. More importantly, there are plenty more who would jump at the opportunity to trade places with you. I can show you about 12 million in the city of Moscow.

Colin McCullough is a Junior majoring in economics and Russian. Not long ago, he picked up cigarette butts off a little league baseball field for a living.