UNSUNG VANGUARDS (Part II)

They’re the people we take for granted -- the same people, without whom, we simply can’t exist, or at least, function normally. More often than not, they’re dubbed the little people -- the little people who make big a difference. We dare call them vanguards because despite their roles in society, life is simply inconceivable without them. Yes, they’re that important. Here are more of the unsung vanguards of today’s society.

CLEANING LADY

You pass her by the halls, hardly noticing she exists. She keeps your halls clean, empties your trash, and offers a friendly smile as you go about your own business. Ever took a second to care? Take a chance. Check on how her day is. She checks on you anyway...so much as to make your world bearable.

SHOE SHINE BOY

They make you look nice and slick. They wipe, pat, and color your fave pair just so you look neat and becoming. To be cheesy about it – let’s just say, they make you shine.

PLUMBER

It’s a dirty job. But someone’s got to do it. Lucky for you, you don’t have to. Clogged sinks, screwed up drainage – ahh - such hassles. Thank God for Mr. Plumber Man.

METRO AIDE

Imagine if no one cleaned all those campaign stickers of aspiring politicians after elections? Damn. Our streets would look like sh*t. They serve the public under the scorching heat, sweeping, wiping, cleaning - what, at this stage, is virtually "uncleanable." Take that for a job! Sure kicks ass.

BARTENDER

Let’s not think Coyote Ugly. Think slippery-floored, ultimately cramped, badly planned bar space with a good number of tenders trying to remember 12 orders each. The crowd is rowdy, the customers are mostly drunk, highly demanding, and considerably rude. At the end of the night, clean up is a nightmare, these people are starving on account of foregoing dinner, plus all their tips end up covering all the unpaid bills of bastard cheapskates.

What a charmed life.

Remember this the next time you debate whether to leave your bartender a tip and a smile or not.

FIREMAN

There’s no doubt here. Firemen risk their lives to save other lives and others’ property. It’s a job and a service in one. And the recent World Trade Center incident is the clearest example of that. Hats off.

MASSEUSE

Here’s a lady whose magical hands (elbows, knees, and feet included if you prefer Shiatsu therapy) will put you right at ease.

Yes, it would be preferable that your "masahista" pipe down about her personal problems as she may just transfer all that negativity to you through her fingertips. Nevertheless, would it be so difficult to give her a few minutes of your "lucid" time? A listening ear? A comforting nudge? Hell, she’s slaving away at all your stress bubbles!

TELEPHONE MAN

Now this one would probably fall in the number one slot for coming-of-age teens who cannot stay on the phone long enough. We live in a country where calls are not metered - what justifiable reason does any parent have (apart from homework, and maybe cleaning the dog’s poop) to stop kids from yakking away?!

Whether it’s to fix up intricately complex telephone lines or bust them up strategically (so as to keep kids focused on more important things - like TV!), your friendly neighborhood telephone guy should have all the answers for you.

VALET PARKER

The valet parker is like priest. There’s this blind faith that allows people to deposit all their sins onto the lap of a priest - much like the huge amount of trust needed for anyone to hand over those car keys to a complete stranger. Father Do-Good gifts you with a clear conscience and a promise of secrecy. Mr. Parker returns your car as it was. (Maybe with an added few kilometers to your mileage and a tiny scratch in your bumper.)

Hey, nobody’s perfect.

DRIVER

Your life is in their hands. Shouldn’t that be enough reason to call them heroes? Day in and day out, they drive you around town, making sure you’re in one piece from point A to point B. Your safety is their primary concern and your comfort is what they intend to provide.

(More to come…)