Don’t Hate Cruise Ship Job Seekers

‘Ever notice that anytime anything new is introduced into our society or economy we instantly see the negative rather than the positive?’

BRUH, why do we always have to punch ourselves down!

I understand by nature many of us are disenchanted and mildly mean-spirited. And, yes, it is difficult to maintain any particle of optimism given the current socio-economic environment coupled with our nation’s blaring inefficiencies across the board. But, come nah man, let’s ease up a bit.

I am directly referring to the response of many regarding the outpouring of interest for Ministry of Tourism and the Royal Caribbean cruise liners’ job recruitment. The shade thrown by many members of the public was astounding.

Man, the hate was rolling in like stomach cramps after guzzling down an expired peanut punch with a side of two doubles with plenty pepper… I speak from experience.

Trinis too lazy. Trinis have an attitude. Trinis going to be jumping ship after a week. Trinis can’t work no seven days a week. Trinis aint gonna last.

Honestly, it may be a challenge for some, but mainly because we lack training and have not had the opportunities to grow within the hospitality sector.

When a person is employed with a corporation like Royal Caribbean they are trained, they are given guidance, they aren’t just thrown onto a ship and expected to automatically know how to deal with guests.

Now, some future employees on the ship will have to eat a hot slice of humble pie and will have a rough adjustment period but listen when there is a pay cheque in US dollars waiting for you at the end of a fortnight most of us will bite our tongues and put on the biggest smile possible.

The job market isn’t too great locally, so I understand the rush for these jobs. Not only is it a source of income, but these cruise ship jobs allow for career advancement and a chance for many Trinbagonians to experience the world outside of our twin-island nation.

But no. We must shame those who are lining up outside of NAPA, mock those at SAPA, poke fun at those in Tobago. Why though? Why do we constantly underestimate our fellow countrymen? At what point does our cynicism and resistance to change become harmful?

It can be argued it already has. Ever notice that anytime anything new is introduced into our society or economy we instantly see the negative rather than the positive? We tend to side with the naysayers rather than those pointing out the benefits.

We demand economic diversity but shoot it down when it is presented to us.

Now I will admit, that not all ideas have been great, and there are always concerns as to whether these projects are aimed at our national benefit or to line the pockets of contract holders.  So, we must look at development with caution but with this caution, we may also have to come to terms that in some cases the benefits are there.

Yes, the development of the tourism sector in Trinidad and Tobago will have some hiccups and we need to ensure the proper systems are in place to cut out the boob-ball. But it is something that can greatly benefit our nation and… possibly… improve our work ethic.

Before we can grow, we need to learn to have faith in ourselves. We suffer the psychological issue known as Learned Helplessness. We tell ourselves we can’t do anything because we are lazy, we have attitude, we have bad work ethic, we listen to leaders, who in bids to buy our votes, make us feel as though without their “help” we wouldn’t survive. As a result, we have lost confidence in our ability to succeed on our own.

Let’s turn that narrative around. Let’s empower our brothers and sister going out there to ensure a better future for themselves and their families. This can be our turning point, but we need to believe in ourselves and support ourselves.

Now frankly if I wasn’t anchored to three human beings who literally cannot survive 48 hours without me (this has been tested), hell to the yes, I would jump at a chance to go work on a cruise ship.

We need to open our minds, change our narrative and support one another if we ever want to grow as a nation and a people.

Time to stop punching down and start lifting up.