Nickel and Dimed Response Journal #1

In Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich is a writer who went undercover as a low wage worker to find out what it is like to work as a normal person. In the introduction of the book, the term "wage slave" is being referred to someone who goes through many jobs working as an employee for under minimum wage. Or just about minimum wage. Ehrenreich mentioned about her sister working at many jobs that were low-paid. Ehrenreigh goes through a ton of work trying to find a job that will hire her. She comes to a point where she was almost afraid people will probably find out about her real identity. How is it that undercover people can do that? Are they not afraid that someone might catch them? I think it would be kind of interesting to do something undercover, but I do not think I would have the heart to become someone else.

George is a 19-year-old Czech dishwasher boy at Jerry's, and he has been in the country for about only a week. I think Ehrenreich wants to help him in ways that she possibly can. She wants to teach him English and starts teaching his the basic stuff. Jerry's does not pay George, it is the "agent" that shipped him over to the U.S. that takes care of that. He shares an apartment with the other Czech "dishers" and does not get to go to sleep until someone covers his shift. That is a pretty tough life right there. He only gets paid $5 and he does not even know much English. I can only imagine how hard it must be for George. I would feel so lost and confused if I did not know how to speak in English. But it probably isn't that bad. As long as you know the basics "no" and "yes" then I think you are okay.

During the duration that Ehrenreich worked at Hearthside, she bonded with some of her coworkers. I would say Gail was probably her best coworker at Hearthside. Gail was the one that trained her and whatnot. But leaving the job would mean leaving her coworkers. However, she did make new coworkers when she went to Jerry's. That is where she met George. Then her last housekeeping job, she worked with Ellen. Ehrenreich describes her lunch and breaks with Ellen and share what they eat. I think it is good that she can become friends with her coworkers. She would feel less lonely if they are in good terms. Having to make new coworkers right after each can be difficult. It sometimes depends on the work environment and how they treat you too, if you want to actually feel like you can work there.