The Value of a Part-Time Job
兼职工作的价值
Last summer I worked in a small bookshop for six weeks, mostly sorting and carrying boxes. I earned very little money, and my arms hurt for the first week, but I learned more than I expected.
去年暑假我在一家小书店工作了六个星期，主要是整理和搬运箱子。我挣到的钱很少，第一周手臂一直疼，但我学到的东西比预想的多。
The owner never told me how to arrange the shelves; she simply watched what customers picked up. I soon noticed that the books at eye level sold far better than the ones near the floor.
店主从不告诉我该怎么摆放书架，她只是观察顾客会拿起什么。我很快发现，摆在视线高度的书远比靠近地面的书好卖。
I also learned how to stay polite with a customer who is angry about something that is not your fault. That lesson is useful in every job and in every family, not only in a shop.
我还学会了如何面对一位因为不关你的事而发火的顾客，仍然保持礼貌。这一课在每一份工作、每一个家庭里都有用，不只在一个店里。
On the last day the owner gave me a second-hand novel and said I had been reliable. Being called reliable did more for my confidence than the money ever could.
最后一天，店主送给我一本二手小说，说我这个人靠得住。被人评价为「靠得住」，比我挣到的钱更能给我信心。