The Old Coot says it’s all
in a name.
By Merlin Lessler
My friend Matt gave me
this gem, for a Coot article, I call it “All in a Name.” He told me about a landscape
planning meeting he was in. As he was explaining it to me, I interrupted, “So,
the landscape guy was trying to find out your likes and dislikes?” – “Oh no,”
He replied. “Not a landscape GUY, landscape ARCHITECT. Landscape guy = $20 per
hour, Landscape architect = $400 per hour.” Knowing Matt, I’m sure he made the
conversation as short as possible.
This “All in a name” thing
pervades every layer of society. Lawyer = $200 per hour, Attorney = $400 per
hour. Truck driver = $25 per hour, Transportation
Specialist = $50 per hour. Plumber =$70 per hour, master plumber = $110 per
hour. (These per-hour comparisons are approximations, dredged from the cobweb
section of my brain and are not to be considered exact). But, that’s true of
just about everything I write.
Most business enterprises follow
an “all in a name” pecking order. Titles show distinctions commensurate with pay
scales. But, not always. Sometime, titles are awarded instead giving someone a
raise. You ask your boss for an increase in pay and walk out of their office
with a new title, no raise, just an ego boost. My most annoying abuse of the
all-in-a-name title game is the moniker some politicians claim for themselves –
“Public Servant” -Wow! When I hear that one, my head spins, and brings up
images from the scene in the Wizard of Oz movie where Toto tugs at the curtain while
the wizard says, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” PUBLIC
SERVANT? I don’t think so, not with
their salaries, pensions, medical coverage and other perks they certainly don’t
want us to find out about. Doesn’t sound like SERVANT is an appropriate
designation. Especially for the ones who hang on to the job for decades.
Of course, my own
situation carries a well-deserved designation. I’m not an author, nor a
journalist nor a true columnist. I’m a hack-writer, or just a complaining old
coot. Take your pick. Either is a skin I’m comfortable in.
Comments? Complaints? Send
to mlessler7@gmail.com
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