Today I saw something familiar on my way to work: a crew of about eight workmen from the Electricity Board, pushing a trolley/wheelbarrow, on their way to perform some repair work. They were a very relaxed and happy bunch, with hands on each other's shoulders, cracking jokes and generally pleased with their lot.
Nothing wrong with this scene, except for the fact that, when they reach their spot, not more than two or three of them will roll up their sleeves and get down to work. The remaining five will undertake the following tasks:
- Smoking
- Providing words of encouragement to the ones actually doing the work
- Criticising the way the work is performed
- Relieving themselves behind some nearby bushes
Meanwhile, back at the 'headquarters', their supervisor is probably on his way to his first break of the day, not even aware of where all the buggers have disappeared to.
