Nickel and Dimed Chapter 2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Where does Barbara go second?

Portland, Maine

What was Barbara's conundrum when first trying to find a home in Maine?

You often need to show signs of stable employment to find a home, while to find employment you need an address.

What was Barbara's first home in Maine?

A room at Motel 6

What does Barbara realize about the cheap housing options in Maine?

There are few cheap housing options because affluent individuals take motel rooms during the summer. Signup and view all the answers

What was Barbara's second home? How much was it?

The Blue Haven Motel for $120 a week Signup and view all the answers

What job positions does she look for in Maine?

Cleaning, nursing home work, warehouse work, manufacturing, and general helper. Signup and view all the answers

What car does Barbara have in Maine?

Rent-a-wreck Signup and view all the answers

What test did Barbara's employers give her at each interview?

Personality testing, including an 'Accutrac personality test'. Signup and view all the answers

What does Barbara discover is the meaning behind the personality test at interviews?

The real information is for the employees to show they have no secrets from their employers. Signup and view all the answers

What two jobs does Barbara acquire in Maine? How much money does each job pay per hour?

A nursing home job for $7 an hour and a job at The Maids for $6.65 an hour. Signup and view all the answers

What does Barbara have to do at Woodcrest?

Feed residents during breakfast and wash the dishes afterwards. Signup and view all the answers

Who and how does Barbara describe the patients in the Alzheimer's ward?

She mentions Grace, Letty, and Ruthie and describes their behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Which job is harder for Barbara at the Woodcrest and why: Serving or dish washing?

Dish washing is harder because the machine goes at breakneck speed. Signup and view all the answers

What are the rules at 'The Maids'?

No smoking, no drinking, eating, or gum chewing, no cursing. Signup and view all the answers

What are the uniforms at 'The Maids'?

Kelly-green pants and sunflower-yellow polos. Signup and view all the answers

How long does training at 'The Maids' last and what does it consist of?

Training lasts a day and a half and consists of watching four videotapes on cleaning processes. Signup and view all the answers

What seems to be the easiest task, based off the training videos, and what seems to be the hardest task at 'The Maids'? Describe the hardest task.

'Dusting' seems easiest; 'Vacuuming' is hardest with a special vacuum that attaches to the user. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Maids supposed to do in the kitchens of homes, according to the training videos?

Use only half a bucket of water, spreading dirt around. Signup and view all the answers

According to the training videos, what does the key to cleaning houses seem to be?

Making a kitchen look clean using tricks like oil on silverware. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the work at 'The Maids' exhausting?

Maids must move quickly, shuttling from house to house. Signup and view all the answers

What are the pros and cons of working at 'The Maids' compared to being an independent cleaner?

Independent cleaners can earn more but require a clientele and vehicle, whereas The Maids offers stability. Signup and view all the answers

What seems to be the other maids at 'The Maids' economic state?

They seem almost desperately poor, unable to afford small purchases. Signup and view all the answers

At 'The Maids', who are the lockouts blamed on and why?

Lockouts are blamed on the employees; Ted insists it's a reflection of the employees' actions. Signup and view all the answers

What causes Barbara to fall back on her safety network in Maine?

Developing terrible rashes and intense itching. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ted like to say to the employees when they are feeling ill or injured?

'Work through it.' Signup and view all the answers

How does Barbara describe working at 'The Maids'?

A nightmare due to muscular pains, rashes, and poor conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Barbara end up doing after trying to cut down on Holly's duties?

She tries to work harder but ends up spilling a pot into a fishbowl. Signup and view all the answers

After Barbara's second week working in Maine, what does she realize about her economic situation?

She finds herself without enough money to make ends meet due to unexpected expenses. Signup and view all the answers

What does Barbara do when she can't make ends meet after her second week working in Maine?

She calls the Prebles Street Resource Center for assistance. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Holly when she was rushing from one house to another?

Holly trips, falls, and screams in pain, stating something snapped. Signup and view all the answers

How does Holly reply to Barbara when Barbara says they should take Holly to the emergency room after her tripped in a hole?

Holly only consents to calling Ted instead. Signup and view all the answers

What does Holly still do after she tripped in a hole and heard something crack?

Holly keeps on doing work despite her injuries. Signup and view all the answers

What is so special about Ted's approval to the maids?

It represents a lure to a better world, despite his cruelty. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Pauline feel hurt on her last day at 'The Maids'?

Ted makes no mention of her departure or wishes her well. Signup and view all the answers

After working in Florida, what did Barbara learn to do when it came to the job application process?

Apply for as many jobs as possible. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 2 Overview

Ehrenreich relocates to Portland, Maine to research low-wage work.
Faces a challenge: securing housing without stable employment, complicating her search for jobs.

Housing Experience

First stays at Motel 6 for convenience while seeking permanent accommodation.
Discovers limited budget housing options in Portland due to seasonal demand.

Job Search

Actively pursues jobs including cleaning, warehouse, and general helper roles.
Utilizes a rental car named "Rent-a-wreck" for transportation.

Employment Process

Undergoes personality testing during interviews, questioning the validity of such assessments.
Realizes these tests serve more to control employees than to evaluate them.

Acquired Jobs and Responsibilities

Lands two positions: a nursing home job ($7/hour) and cleaning for "The Maids" ($6.65/hour).
At the nursing home, responsibilities include serving food and washing dishes; finds dishwashing particularly strenuous.

Work Environment at "The Maids"

Faces strict regulations: no smoking, drinking, or cursing.
Work attire consists of "kelly-green pants" and "sunflower-yellow" polos.
Training is minimal, focusing on cleaning procedures through instructional videos rather than in-depth hands-on training.

Cleaning Techniques

Training emphasizes quick superficial cleaning rather than thorough work.
The use of tricks like spreading oil to enhance appearance instead of deep cleaning.

Labor Conditions

Fast-paced work leads to exhaustion and little time for breaks.
Other maids exhibit signs of financial struggle, with little spare cash for essentials.

Company Policies

Lockouts are inaccurately attributed to employee negligence rather than customer issues.
Ted, the franchise owner, encourages workers to "work through" illness or injury, ignoring employee welfare.

Personal Struggles

Ehrenreich develops rashes from her working conditions, leading her to seek help from prior supportive resources.
Experiences financial hardship, struggling to cover basic expenses due to unexpectedly high rent and medical costs.

Emotional Impact

Witnesses the struggles of coworkers like Holly, who injures herself yet continues working despite the pain.
Reflects on the lack of recognition and support for long-term employees, as seen in Pauline's experience on her last day.

Lessons Learned

The necessity of applying to multiple jobs becomes clear after experiencing job application challenges in Florida.
A growing understanding of the systemic issues faced by low-wage workers as exemplified by her coworkers' experiences and her own difficulties.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 2 of 'Nickel and Dimed'. This quiz focuses on Barbara Ehrenreich's experiences in Portland, Maine, as she navigates the challenges of finding a home and stable employment. Enhance your understanding of the themes and dilemmas presented in this insightful chapter.