The best things happen to us when we least expect it. I landed a job at the transportation office on our campus. It was one of those instances where a random person goes out of their way to help you. I had left no stone unturned to get a job. I had contacted every senior student I know at the university and one of them was kind enough to do the favour of recommending me for a job. A couple of meetings later, I was hired.
The  manager is genial and kind, showing the least vexation at my mistakes. On the first day at work, he went around introducing me to the other employees. I was pleased to have a desk in a corner all for myself. The manager termed it my ‘station’, which sounded very fancy. During the first few days at work, I barged in on him abruptly with my questions, wondering how I should address him. It took some time to get into the habit of calling everybody by their first name, even if they looked as old as my parents. He often called me ‘Senorita’, which means ‘Miss’ in Spanish. I hoped to learn a few Spanish words while working here, as I was surrounded by a lot of people from Central and South America who spoke Spanish.
I eavesdropped on the typical office conversations, sometimes intentionally and sometimes not, observing the mannerisms and jargon alien to me until a few days ago. Unlike what I had imagined, everybody looked very happy to be at work, putting on a smiling face every time they ran into each other and exchanging pleasantries occasionally. One such greeting was enough to light up any dull day.
I was introduced to the people working at the other campus on a Saturday, when we met to finish some pending work. They were all rid of the cover of formality which they put on on the other days at work and were relaxed. The manager was unusually talkative, and gave away details about his family, his daughter-in-law who is Indian. I have still not found out what his nationality is.
The first week of June was a busy time and I was asked to help at the front desk, already crowded with other student workers. I liked working there better, amidst the probing customers and the intermittent chitchat. I was amazed at how efficient the workers were on a hectic day, simultaneously answering queries over the phone and helping people at the counter. I know everyone’s names now, being on friendlier terms with them. One of the ladies was extremely kind to all of us students, sometimes offering us the food she carried. She patiently clarified the doubts we raised. The day I was hired, she showed me a thumbs-up and congratulated me. She was as happy as I was. She also gave me her phone number and advised me to call her when I missed home.
There turned up an odd Staff or Faculty at times, as a reminder that life is not all roses. A lady came in fretting about an error in an email which was sent out from the office. No amount of explanation or apology pacified her and she made sure she made all the rude comments she had come prepared with. Another rare occurrence was when an old man interrupted a peaceful day, exploding over a parking ticket issued to him. It is true that there was no mistake on his part, but his records noted that he had caused a similar uproar at the office earlier too, being forgetful and stubborn. I wondered how the office workers kept a straight face while dealing with such patrons. They said he was very special and did not indulge in any bad-mouthing or harbour any bitterness against him.
The only evident gaffe that I have been responsible for, three weeks into work, was when I gave the wrong envelope to a person, not bothering to check the name. I noticed the blunder soon after he left and ran out in vain, hoping to find him. We sent an email to him and called him up quickly and he told us he would be back the following Monday as it was a weekend. I was relieved he sent a subordinate to collect the correct envelope, as I was planning to hide in case he showed up.
It is true that the people who play minuscule roles in our lives also have something to teach us. I am convinced that this job is a great start to the career lying ahead of me.