Many years ago, I had a colleague whose job was school attendant. She was a rather fierce auntie, old enough to be my mother.
In that era, teachers often stayed back till 7pm. Auntie did not like this. On her shift days, she would come to the staff room and pressure us to go home.
One of her tactics was to stand beside a teacher still trying to rush through work. The teacher would surely get the message. We learned not to overstay on her shift days.
This auntie was not afraid to scold teachers. There was one year when the school catered a nice dinner in an expensive hotel to show appreciation to the staff. A bus was charted to take us there.
I was in the staff welfare committee and had to bring in some visually handicapped masseuses to massage some teachers.
After they were done, I sent them to a taxi. Then I had to go back to the staff room to take my things so that I can join the folks on the charted bus.
"Wah, you are very big shot make me have to wait for you!" The auntie said sarcastically. She was waiting to lock up the staff room. I lost my cool and told her sharply, "Auntie, your attitude is deplorable!" (Auntie 你的态度很恶劣!)
On another occasion, I had allowed some students to have drinks in the auditorium. Auntie found out and came to scold me.
"I will answer for whatever happens," I said brusquely and walked away.
But so many years already...no more grudges. I wonder if Auntie is still working in some school, pressuring teachers to go home early. MOE should hire her to be a work life balance supervisor. She sure get A every year.