Stewardesses and Stewards are the modern "BlackGang"
by Earl of Cruise
by Earl of Cruise
Stokers on board USS MASSACHUSETS - source Wikipedia
The men working in the bowels of the steamers had been
named Black Gang. these where those men with the hardest labour - bringing the
coal form the bunkers to the furnasses and filling them.
This ardous labour became obsolete, when the steamer and
turbine furnasses became oil fired - cleaner, fewer men and no longer heat and
coal dust drenched air.
The living conditions, when free from their shifts, had
been similar ardous - cramped sleeping rooms, no light and less air, and few washing
rooms and toilets. The loan was less than acceptable.
Despite some some first class travellers made their way in
these aereas, as into third class, to "slum a bit", for whatever
their reasons may have been, or tipping the men of the Black Gang for harder
work making a fast voyage.
DAS TOTENSCHIFF, B. Traven, bying, In 1959 it was adapted into
a film of the same name (also known as Ship of the Dead) directed by GeorgTressler.
Today we have a very similar situation. But not with those
engaged with the coal, but those in average underpayed, overworked crew
members, the stewards and stewardesses, who are creating for us the cruise
passenger a great time. The most do their best and try to fullfill the wishes
of their guests.
Behind the "Crew
only" signs, there is no glittering world. The wall is steel,
painted in white, perhaps a bit more friendly on some ships. The floor is
painted steel. The stairs are steeper and narrow. The quarters are tiny and
cramped. Only some of the newest cruise vessels offer ensuite fascilities,
otherwise crowded toiletts and washing rooms ... Privacy? Such thing you can´t
find. The food is at best "edible". The morals are rough
and the tone of talk rude (if you ever had the chance working in a kitchen -
the chef is the commander, like in military). The picking is easy and often,
sometimes abusive, sexual harrasive. And the working hours are endless ...
sometimes 10h a day ... And then there is something which is not often talked
about - make your own imagination: the MAXIM GORKIY once was the biggest
floating abortion clinic ... But not only women are abused, men too. Each one
can become a victim of, but especially those from Asia, and good looks do not
really help to prevent.
I am sorry to say, but I am eye- and
ears witness of such abuse and sexual harassments.
But according to a research among
crews, by Cruise Critic UK, the true horror is behind their closed doors, among us, the passengers.
80 percent say it is outrageous and
over demanding passengers.
With a smile and a friendly tone you getting so much
easier what you want, than barking an order, or snipping with the fingers.
I know of what I am talking, despite my privedged
upbringing, I did work in a kitchen and did serve as a waiter, earning money to
study. I wanted to be independent. those guests I let wait till the last day.
And you may wonder, I got the most tip ... My motto was "Ladies (not me) and
gentlemen are serving Ladies and Gentlemen", and who wasn´t ... got what
he deserved.
The same will happen aboard. Especially in our days.
Similing and being friendly in every situation. There is
no discussion. The passenger is always right. These are the top priorities for
service crews on cruise ships, especially on American vessels. Whoever violates
this rule: next port, exit - no matter how overdemanding the passenger is, or
how rude he behaves, no reason is given the crew acting against that particular
situation. No matter how outrageous the claim of a passenger, the crew has to
deal positively with it. Only if clear rules speak against the passenger
wishes, the crew member may say friendly and determined "no".
Here some examples from the research answers:
- Ignoring the crew and treating like slaves
- No "hallo" saying, or not friendly
- Taking the children later than closure from childcare
- General carelessness, creating extra work for the crew
(especially on big
ships with 5,000 and more passengers and "only" 1,000 or best 1,300
crew)
- No tipping or rediculously low
(some cruise lines
charge each passenger with a tipping fee, which is partly taken for the wages)
- And the allways loved stupid questions
Is the crew living
onboard? Who wouldn´t love answering - we are taken each night by heli ashore.
Is the water in
the toilett fresh or salt water? I would like to answer - try it.
Is the electricity
produced onboard? Who would not wish answering - No, we have a cable which is
serving us.
But passengers can bother themselve with such stupid
questions.
I have made my own experiences with such - is Mr. Hitler
still livng? - I did answer: luckily burned to death, or: do you have
electrcity in Europe? My answer was - yes, but it is transfered wireless.
But luckily not all passengers are that rude, or don´t
know how to behave. And I don´t want to make a general bashing.
But the more mass market, or volume market, cruise vessels
are floating in the seven seas, the more of these misbehaving passengers go on
board. Among them a number of first timers, who don´t know what a cruise is, or
havn´t made a comparable vacation at all.
The passenger gets what he is paying for - in general. The
service he get and does expect on the price for the cruise. But for each price
and service level there is one thing - a friendly tone and fairness makes the
music. And with that you will get much easier what you want. And no jewel will
fall from the crown ... The service is not well payed (600 to 900US$ in
average), and works hard the money they earn. Sometimes nine month or longer at
once. With no weekend or day off within. With the job they pay for their
childrens education - which they seldom see, for medical service, etc. and you
can´t get rich from the job, even if you from the Phillipines or another
country with minor job employment possibilities.
The crew has to learn the passengers names within the day
of embarkation. There more cabins, tables, etc. he is serving. You have your
table waiter, cabin steward/esse, etc., it should be easy to remember these few
names.
A nice smalltalk will help too. the crew member feels good
by and the guest has the chance to learn a bit of his home country and/or life
on board.
And as a surprise the cruise guests will feel better, by
doing so, and to top it, the service is better.
By his own admission Bruns is the only American who has ever endured it at
Carnival for a total contract period of 6 months as a waiter, without any prior
notice. He describes the "everyday" of a waiter and gives a
fascinating insight behind what you get never seen as a passenger, such as the
wild crew Parties, and he describes the working conditions just below deck.
"Cruise Confidential" but is not a serious general reckoning with his
job on board, but an entertaining reality story with many personal impressions.
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