“Work and School and moving ON”

Oct 2nd “Work and School and moving ON”

Moving on with a new job, learning all the prefixes for the different areas in and around the Saint Louis area – information that is no longer used to place a local call, much less for he long distance calls – – as everyone can NOW, dial on their “smart phone” to any part of the world – no longer needing an OPERATOR!

The only place you will see the “way it was” is in some of the old “black and white movies” – where an “OPERATOR” will collect the information for the call you are placing and all of your information – you will be called back if the “party wanted” is not available and if you are at a “Coin Phone” and no one to receive your call – – all of your “change” will be returned immediately.

The only reason that I have this old PHOTO of myself, is that it did not turn out satisfactorily to be put in my work file. But rather than just throw it away – I ask, if I could have it – only wish that I would have had it fixed better – – back then! It would have been nice, if I WAS THE TYPE TO ASK FOR – a “Good Copy” just for me, but I was just glad that they hired me!

So, after having been working for a while, I did have the nerve to ask if I could take PHOTOS of the OPERATORS taking calls – something that I guess no one had ever ask to do, before.

So, with the date there at the bottom, you can see how long ago that we had so many “OPERATORS” connecting everyone with someone very important as this was in the downtown area, and there were offices like this throughout the area. A good guess is that this “Service Assistant” is “Eunice Farmer” and as you can see, she does have a nice smile on her face.

One thing that I do remember is that – – when you walked into the door to work at your designated “seat” – we were told that no matter what had happened to you or the world – – when you say “OPERATOR” – – it must be said with a “SMILE in your Voice” that the “caller” will receive and feel that “he” is the most important person in the world!

And this is the “Night Shift” workers – there would also be a “NIGHT CHIEF” at her desk, and of course, I am taking these PHOTOS on my “break” and there could be one more person – as not that many were needed. Some nights and or “HOLIDAYS” would require more workers, but they had the scheduling down to a science, as to how many workers were needed.

The reason that I was NOW working “NIGHTS” – – is like I had told the “Employment Office” – that, as soon as I can arrange my schedule to where I can get to continue with getting those last couple of credits – – that I needed for my “High School Diploma” that is what I will do! So, by working nights – I was able to get those credits and my diploma and am very happy and proud to have been able to do – all of that and work, too!

Thanks be to the Almighty for giving me the opportunity to do so many good things and as soon as possible – -it is the “PITTS” to put things on the “back burner” and they sit there forever – – never to see the “light of day!” D.V.