As Felicity instructed her driver to take her to work, she noted with a wry smile the differences in circumstances between her life now, and the struggles she’d faced in her first job, several decades ago...
***
A stack of papers was unceremoniously dumped next to Felicity’s typewriter, jolting the office’s latest young recruit from the dictated notes she’d been translating for her company’s overseas partners. Gau leered down at her through a haze of cigarette smoke as he put out the stub in her evening tea and leaned in, uncomfortably close.
“Boss says you have to finish typing these before you go home.” He continued to stare at her as she nervously avoided eye contact and instead leafed through the papers, trying to guess how long it would take.
“Ok”, she whispered quietly, resigning herself to Gau’s lecherous contempt and yet another late night at the office. Without a word, he turned to leave and continue his errands, but not before swiping the pile of paper to mess it up.
Felicity bit her lip and fought back angry tears. Only a year ago when she’d returned to Hong Kong following her studies overseas, she’d been so excited to start work. And when her uncle said he had a friend who needed an English-speaking worker to help the small company deal with an increasing number of foreign contacts, she’d jumped at the chance to prove herself.
But disillusionment wasn’t slow to rob her of her optimism. Her new boss was a cranky, penny-pinching old man who needed her English knowledge, but only hired her so he wouldn’t have to pay extra for a male business graduate. And despite her degree, he couldn’t get past his old-fashioned disdain enough to give her any real opportunities or responsibilities. Most of her coworkers weren’t any better either; themselves bullied by the boss’ dictatorial management style and seizing the opportunity to take out their frustrations on the new young girl.
Felicity was miserable, but she knew quitting wasn’t an option if she wanted to build her CV enough to get a better job. Under reforms enacted by Governor MacLehose, overseas investments and the presence of foreign corporations had steadily been increasing in Hong Kong, and Felicity intended to one day be part of that wave of economic development. She wanted much more for her career than just being a glorified secretary.
Still, she knew she was powerless to stop her bullies right now, and it would be an uphill struggle to get her boss to even treat her on an equal footing with the male workers, let alone give her the opportunities she needed to develop professionally. But she focused on her breathing, and forced herself to make a neutral face. She wouldn’t give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her in a weak state if she could help it. Whatever went on outside, she had to stay strong inside. She had to cultivate her inner strength even when the men around her saw nothing but a weak woman.
In any case, wallowing in pity wouldn’t help her finish her work. As the proverb went, “a woman’s work is never done”, and she was only just getting started on achieving her goals.
***
Felicity’s reminiscing was interrupted, and she frowned when she saw the incoming call was from her assistant Olivia. If the matter couldn’t wait until she was at the office, it couldn’t be anything good. But, fresh from memory lane, she resolved herself to be kind when she answered the young girl. There was strength and self-power in patience after all, and managing one’s demons.
Food for thought: How can emotional mindfulness give you a more empowering relationship with yourself?
