Among the 30 or so old postcards that I’ve kept from the original package of approximately 100 that my mother gave me, there is one that I particularly cherish. It dates from July 1982 and was sent to be by Mrs. Denis. I don’t need to use an abbreviation to protect her identity because ‘Denis’ is a very common name, and I’m sure that there are hundreds, if not thousands of Mrs. Denis' living in Belgium and France. Not to mention the rest of the world.
Mrs. Denis was my manager in my first real job. Before joining the company for which she worked, I had had two previous, temporary jobs: the first as a trainee translator with the European Commission, the second as a replacement with a company that imports natural gas from North Africa, Norway and the Netherlands.
Looking back, working with Mrs. Denis was a very enriching experience. As head of the communication department of a Swedish hand tool manufacturer, she taught me everything I know today about advertising, printing techniques, paper characteristics and quality … and a large part of my current French vocabulary.
When I met her for my first interview with the company in April 1981, we immediately ‘connected’. Being childless and the same age as my mother, she very quickly ‘adopted’ me; which had its advantages and inconveniences. For instance, when I made a typing mistake, using the old mechanical typewriter that didn’t have an automatic corrector key, and thus ruining the original document, as well as three carbon copies, she used to ‘reprimand’ me by gently pulling my ear lobe!
I can’t see myself doing the same thing to my young colleagues today. Although they are in their early twenties - my age when I was working with Mrs. Denis - they wouldn’t let me get away with it and might even slap in the face if I were to use this old-fashioned reprimand on them. They just don’t seem to have the same respect for senior (in age) colleagues than we had in the eighties. In fact, some of them even look down on people my age, pretending to know everything better and completely ignoring the advice and help we are offering.
But back to Mrs. Denis. She sent me this postcard while spending time with her aunts who used to live in Chateauroux, south of the Loire Valley. On the back of the card she’s enquiring about office business (this was the first time that I was in charge, without her precious support and guidance). She also writes that it is extremely hot in Chateauroux and that she and her aunts are drinking the ‘occasional’ glass of red or white wine … in order not to dehydrate! Hence the image on the card.
Looking back, working with Mrs. Denis was a very enriching experience. As head of the communication department of a Swedish hand tool manufacturer, she taught me everything I know today about advertising, printing techniques, paper characteristics and quality … and a large part of my current French vocabulary.
When I met her for my first interview with the company in April 1981, we immediately ‘connected’. Being childless and the same age as my mother, she very quickly ‘adopted’ me; which had its advantages and inconveniences. For instance, when I made a typing mistake, using the old mechanical typewriter that didn’t have an automatic corrector key, and thus ruining the original document, as well as three carbon copies, she used to ‘reprimand’ me by gently pulling my ear lobe!
I can’t see myself doing the same thing to my young colleagues today. Although they are in their early twenties - my age when I was working with Mrs. Denis - they wouldn’t let me get away with it and might even slap in the face if I were to use this old-fashioned reprimand on them. They just don’t seem to have the same respect for senior (in age) colleagues than we had in the eighties. In fact, some of them even look down on people my age, pretending to know everything better and completely ignoring the advice and help we are offering.
But back to Mrs. Denis. She sent me this postcard while spending time with her aunts who used to live in Chateauroux, south of the Loire Valley. On the back of the card she’s enquiring about office business (this was the first time that I was in charge, without her precious support and guidance). She also writes that it is extremely hot in Chateauroux and that she and her aunts are drinking the ‘occasional’ glass of red or white wine … in order not to dehydrate! Hence the image on the card.
5 comments:
Your Mrs. Denis sounds like a peach.
Did that postcard make a lightbulb go on in your head? France = hot = wine = let's go!
Each evening, I have an "occasional" glass of wine too. I'm just like Mrs. Denis. I should go by that name.
When I first started working, I worked as a secretary(yes I did) for a group of women all in their 50s. I was 18. They called me "The boy". It wasn't anything derogatory but was associated with my age alone. I didn't mind it one bit. I missed those days. So I know what you mean.
m.
Célestine has spent the winter in Chateauroux. I doubt she's been 'enjoying' it as much as Mrs Denis though.
And while you write of Chateauroux in summer, its 8 below in Brussels.....Brrrrrr
Carolyn, Yes it did! And it is shining warm and bright. I've contacted the B&B in Vouvray and have fixed the dates! La Touraine ... here I come!
Mark, All those nice ladies probably considered you as their son or the perfect son-in-law!
Susan, I hope Célestine will return to you 'new woman', after her special beauty treatment :)
L&S, Yes, it's incredibly cold, by Belgian standards. And the weather people predict another week of freezing temperatures. Yuk!
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