Go fly a kite then take a hike!

The current hallelujah sector of employment namely call centers may be doing more damage than good. More and more data have come out of this area of employment and some of it is disturbing.

Call centers are certainly contributing in reducing our level of unemployment and also influencing a renewed interest in the English language as it is taught in schools and universities. This has come about as a result of the fact that more than 50 percent of applicants actually fail the English proficiency tests which still leaves a great void in the demand for call center agents.

The next obvious problem that has become visible in call centers is the large numbers of cigarette smokers. People casually assumed that smoking was related to the “boring” work of a glorified telephone operator. This however turns out to be a mere manifestation or coping mechanism for the third and bigger problem which is the “Acquired work-related stress” that comes in dealing with nothing but “Negative” inputs and situation.

Initially, workers were known to cope by smoking. This was subsequently followed by alcohol intake after work as a way of calming their minds from work related stress.

More recently we have received an increasing amount of reports of vandalism and “risky behavior” such as sex in emergency stairwells.

If you think that takes the cake, well, there is now talk about “Day clubs”. Workers from a certain call center in Pasay has suggested to an aeronautical girlee club that they should have a happy hour at four a.m so call center employees could unwind in their bar.

Much like the other hallelujah sectors such as OFWs and Nursing, the government is once again benefiting from the employment and business generated from call centers but not managing or carefully monitoring the ill-effects of these jobs in terms of physical and psychological impact.

Government is adamant about environmental impact studies to protect the environment yet we don’t hear about any concerns or efforts to protect the health of the tax payers.

Private business has stepped in to provide remedy and assistance to people whose language skills are below par in order to improve them and employ them.

Christian churches and their members have entered the work place to help center agents to “de-stress”. But very little has been done by any group to address the impending public health disaster related to cigarette and alcohol intake.

Studies need to be done in order to avoid any known negative consequence related to employment in call centers. Policies and guidelines need to be drawn up to ensure that today’s blessing won’t be tomorrow’s catastrophe.

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In the world of creative communication, American media has excelled in crafting witty repartee and imaginative insult. In the early days when a person annoyed us, we simply tell them to “Get Lost” or “Get out of my life”.

But as political correctness and colorful language evolved, they developed analogies such as “Butt out” which is either equivalent to putting out a lighted cigarette or getting your ass out of somebody’s face.

The whole thing was eventually inspired by the back to nature life style so we began to hear statements like: “Go take a hike!” or “Go fly a kite” or “Go jump in the lake.”

While all of these statements are malicious in their intent, it might be interesting to do exactly what their author suggests. Yes do exactly what the annoyed person suggests!

Instead of getting back at the pathetic life form that’s cursing you, why not actually “Go take a hike!”? To begin with it would certainly put distance between you and the cretin you despise. But don’t just walk away. The person who wanted you out of his or her view was actually doing you a favor by suggesting you go take a hike.

As much as I love cars and driving cars, I have found a lot of merit and benefit in going for walks or “Taking a hike”. Unlike a lot of the people I know, I (thank God) have had no need for maintenance medicine in terms of blood pressure and cholesterol.

Going for walks in different neighborhoods in the city and in provinces always showed me the reality and color in peoples lives, makes me appreciate what government does well and what politicians always take advantage of.

If you’re a “collector in life” taking a hike will always reward you with insight, information and from time to time a “Find”. I often go for a minimum of one hour to one and a half. The first time I went for two hours, my wife worried and called to check on me. I sheepishly had to admit I was caught up negotiating to buy a junked 4 door Jaguar sedan that I accidentally spotted under a tree.

Anyone who suggests that you “Go fly a kite” is actually doing you a favor especially if you have very young kids who still see magic and wonder as you pull on the string and magically send your kite soaring up, up and… away!!!

I wouldn’t suggest it during the rain unless you want to show your children how Benjamin Franklin “accidentally “discovered electricity. Even before you get to “Go fly a kite” you would have to first make a kite which might be the actual curse if you’re one of those mechanically and artistically challenged.

In any case, anyone who actually bothers to do some research on the different kinds of kites and the many varieties that exist will certainly conclude that it is not mere child’s play. It’s complex as it is fun.

When was the last time you did “Go jump in the lake”? Many of us won’t even know a lake if it stared us. But for the fortunate few, these “kids” never have second thoughts but a body of water whether is a lake, an ilog, or some clean watering hole.

Instead of being cursed by the village idiot, Jumping in the lake might do your soul wonders as you connect with the child in you and many of the memories you’ve locked away trying so hard to be a grown up.