Nickel and Dimed

In Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich, Ehrenreich takes on the challenge of surviving in America on minimum wage. Ehrenreich takes on jobs in 3 different states. Her first job is serving as a waitress in Florida, where she deals with a commanding boss and rude customers. After finishing in Florida, she moves to Maine, where she finds a job as a maid. During Ehrenreich's work at The Maids, she realizes that society's stereotype of lower-class citizens being lazy is untrue. The employee of The Maids work many hours a day, doing strenuous, sweaty work, involving lots of bending down and carrying heavy vacuums. At one point, one employee, Holly, falls and injures her ankle. Holly works through the pain and discomfort because her job is the only thing keeping her fed and housed. Most of the people Ehrenreich works with have poor living conditions, including barely making rent, living with family members, sleeping in motels, and, in some cases, not having a home at all. In Minnesota, Ehrenreich seeks help in finding a living space. Being emplyed at Wal-Mart, she has an income, but at only $7 an hour, it is not enough to pay a rent on an apartment. The Wal-Mart pay is so low, that an employee can't even afford a Wal-Mart shirt on clearance. After recieving help, Ehrenreich moves into a motel room with no bolt on the door, no screen on the window, and no kitchen or appliances. During her employment at wal-Mart, Ehrenreich learns eveen more about her impoverished co-workers. Some work multiple jobs in order to survive. Others work at Wal-Mart because they can't get hired anywhere else. In the "Evaluation" chaper, Ehrenreich reflects on her experiences and argues that the richer citizens of America control the poorer citizens.

Reader's Guide question #13

"Ehrenreich concluded that had her working life been spent in a Wal-Mart-like environment, she would have emerged as a different person -- meaner, pettier, "Barb" instead of "Barbara." How would your personality change if you were placed in working conditions very different frmo the ones you are in now?"

A: If my working conditions change drastically from what they are now (low-stress, easy-going), my personality would definitely be affected. I would become more tired, cranky, and stressed. I would be angry and would probably take it out on people who wouldn't deserve it.