{"id":114134,"date":"2020-06-02T15:42:23","date_gmt":"2020-06-02T13:42:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=114134"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:24:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:24:57","slug":"students-back-to-work-they-cant-see-me-smiling-behind-a-mask","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2020\/06\/02\/students-back-to-work-they-cant-see-me-smiling-behind-a-mask\/","title":{"rendered":"Students back to work: ‘They can\u2019t see me smiling behind a mask’"},"content":{"rendered":"

After weeks of kicking their heels, students working in hospitality are finally allowed to serve customers again since Monday. They feel happy but also slightly apprehensive.<\/p>\n

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Tjeu Schellekens at caf\u00e9 Melief Bender.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAysha Gasanova<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Before the Covid crisis, Humanities student Tjeu Schellekens (27) worked full-time at caf\u00e9 Melief Bender. \u201cI often start my working week on Thursday, and we have long shifts that last ten to twelve hours. You basically buckle down and keep going.\u201d What did he do when the bar closed up for the duration? \u201cI got bored. I actually like the pressure. I also worked on my thesis a bit, but I prefer to do this on campus or at De Heilige Boontjes rather than at home. I updated Melief\u2019s social media accounts occasionally \u2013 although we didn\u2019t have much to say. And like the rest of the Netherlands, I used the spare time to do some DIY.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Hardly spontaneous\u2019<\/h2>

He\u2019s glad that the bar has been allowed to reopen as of 1 June. \u201cWe need to see how the 1.5-metre rule works out. We have 85 regulars, and we\u2019re quite informal with them. I hope our place will still feel as friendly as it used to. Usually, you\u2019d find our guests sitting at the bar \u2013 with more and more people pulling up a stool along the way. Now, the maximum allowed is two side by side.\u201d<\/p>\n

Normally speaking, Melief Bender is packed to the rafters. But under the new rules, only thirty patrons are allowed in at a time \u2013 sitting at alternately set tables. \u201cWith divider walls in-between: for a false sense of security. Fortunately, we also have a lot of outdoor seating for our guests. But everyone needs to reserve in advance, so you could hardly call it spontaneous. And people have to wait outside to be seated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018After six weeks, they may decide things are moving a bit too fast\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t–<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTjeu is a bit worried that the relaxation will be reverted\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

One thing he is worried about is that the current relaxation of anti-Covid measures will be reversed. \u201cAfter six weeks, they may decide things are moving a bit too fast.\u201d He personally isn\u2019t afraid of becoming infected. \u201cTwo of my nine housemates work at the Erasmus MC and tested positive for Covid-19. After that, we all caught the bug, and we were in full lockdown for nearly three weeks \u2013 with our parents dropping off bags full of food. So it doesn\u2019t feel as exciting as it used to. More than anything, I\u2019m really happy that I can go out and enjoy a few terraces myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interacting with the guests<\/h2>

Johanna Melsheimer (24) has worked at Spanish restaurant La Cazuela ever since she started on her Management of International Social Challenges bachelor programme 2.5 years ago. It actually suited her to have some unexpected time off. \u201cI\u2019ve been working on my thesis. But like everyone else, I\u2019ve been bored too. We stayed open for take-out and deliveries, so occasionally I helped out writing our menu on the blackboard outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued to get paid 80% of her wages via the government\u2019s support scheme. \u201cI\u2019m really happy that we\u2019re opening up again \u2013 we\u2019re working hard on making all the necessary preparations. I look forward to getting back into the swing of things. One the other hand, I still feel a bit nervous too. You don\u2019t know for sure how people will behave.\u201d One of the dilemmas she\u2019s still struggling with is whether or not to wear a mask. \u201cAs a waitress, it\u2019s very important that you can interact with your guests. They can\u2019t see me smiling behind a mask. I imagine that will be very weird.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still anxious<\/h2>

The recent crisis threw up more problems for Johanna\u2019s fellow student and housemate Anna Ahlemeyer (22). \u201cI was working as a dishwasher and commis at the Fenix Food Factory, which would actually be opening at its new location in mid-March.\u201d Since she was actually in between contracts when the measures entered into effect, her employer couldn\u2019t apply for government support in her case \u2013 meaning she had no income. \u201cI was afraid that the Netherlands would go into total lockdown, so I booked a flight to England where my family helped me out until it was all over.\u201d<\/p>\n

She flew back as soon as it became clear that bars and restaurants would be allowed to reopen as of 1 June. \u201cAt the new location, I\u2019ll be working the cash register and explaining the new rules to our guests. I\u2019m still a bit anxious though whether people will abide by them. But what I may be even more nervous about, is that I\u2019ll be helping people in English rather than Dutch!\u201d Still, she\u2019s relieved more than anything. \u201cIt\u2019s a job! I\u2019m incredibly happy to have my independence again, rather than relying on my parents\u2019 support. It\u2019s great to have a goal and be back in \u2018real life\u2019 again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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Read more<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t