Life of a Carwasher

MY PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION AS A CARWASH GIRL

Our Prelim requirement for our Sociology subject is putting ourselves to the shoes of others and experience other life. Last July 17, 2015, My groupmates/friends (Maxine Arroyo, Harlene Delgado and Queen Romilla)  and I went to Casimiro, Laspinas. That day is a holiday in Philippines so we took this free day to experience what it’s like to be a carwash girl. Our friends Justin Valencia and Dan Vinaviles helped us to have a one day job in a carwash business. The night before this day, we prepared what clothes we are going to wear. Cap, big shirt, jersey shorts and slippers and we’re ready to go!

We started cleaning cars by 11:30 in the morning. Honestly, I was really excited to do this because I just love this kind of adventures and I like challenging myself. I didn’t think that I need to do this because of the grade in my Sociology project. The first car we washed is a white Hyundai Elantra. The two original carwash boys taught us first in using the different equipment in washing the cars then we already did their job. The steps are simple, hose the car with plain water including the wheels or tires, hose it with car soap, brush the wheels, tires sidewalls, and their mugs, rub the entire car with sponge starting at the top, rinse the entire body’s car with hose then dry the vehicle with dry towels and there’s a huge blower for drying the remaining drops of water.. It’s simple but when you’re the one doing it, it’s not easy. You need to clean, brush and scrub every corner or the car. 

The second car that we washed is a black Mitsubishi Galant Super Saloon. After those 2 straight cars that we washed, we took a break and luckily for us there’s no next customer so we were able to eat our lunch. The third car is a white Honda Brio. We’re really exhausted in the last car that we washed.
Putting ourselves on the shoes of others will help us understand people. I learned that Patience is important. In this kind of business, there will be a day that only few customers will come. So workers should have the patience in waiting for customers. If we learn the art of waiting, good things will come to us. In life, waiting is one of the hardest things to do but we need to have a good attitude while waiting. After this experience, I finally realized that earning money is difficult. Whether it’s a carwash boy, janitor, caregiver, maid, etc we should not judge them. There’s always a reason why they are doing that. Judging people does not define who they are but it only defines who you are. I learn to appreciate especially the little things. We need to listen in order for us to understand. We need to understand in order for us to learn. I listened to every word the two carwash boys are teaching me. Through listening, I was able to do the job. It made me realize that I am very lucky to have this kind of life. Lastly, I learned to be content and happy. Being content and happy in life are the most precious thing that we could have. Being content doesn’t mean we don’t desire for more, it only means that we are thankful for what we have and have the patience for what’s to come.

We took this experience as fun as we can and we just enjoyed it. I really embraced the job in cleaning and washing somebody’s car. My parents told me to wash our cars because of this. At the end of the day, I was really proud of myself because I fulfilled and helped the two carwash boys and it’s my simple gift to them in taking their jobs and they really need that break.