So Many Jobs, So Little Time

A co-worker of my Dad recently commented about the amount of people that China is attempting to employ for the Games. I haven't looked for any official numbers, but he says a number around 1.3 billion. This actually has been something I've been talking about a lot recently with people on the trip. So thanks to Bumwrap for motivating me to actually put down my thoughts.

There are TOO MANY PEOPLE WORKING HERE! Everyday that I'm out I find someone else doing a pointless job. And I don't mean to be negative about the situation, but they're currently employing 20 people to do the job of one person. For example, at one of the subway stations, I witnessed three women wiping down the individual bars that line the railings leading down the steps. I also saw one guy just wiping down one spot on a wall for about 5 minutes as I waited for another train. Perhaps most interesting was the woman wiping down the exterior of the trash cans on a small side street. And yesterday we walked behind one guy whose sole job was the pick up cigarette butts off the sidewalk.

Although the cigarette guy was wearing a volunteer uniform, I assume the rest of the people were getting paid, all be it not well. Migrant workers probably make up a large portion of those currently being employed, which will cause problems when the Olympics are over and everyone leaves. It's inevitable that they city will hit it's peak in August. In all likelihood, it will never be as clean, efficient or organized. Honestly, it doesn't really have to be.

Unrelated hilarity
"Ribbon dancer, dancin' for money, do what you want me to do"