So I went to the field with the team here at the long stay abroad.
There were three assprofs or profs; three grad students; three family members (age range 3-33). (lots of 3s here).
Husband was one of three family members. Him and myself did about 80% of cooking duties. The rest was done by other prof; assprofs/profs did 100% of the dishwashing.
Grocery shopping was more evenly shared – although students were mostly involved in shopping for beverages –alcoholic or not.
H and I were flabbergasted. We could not imagine the same situation in our days as student. I was trying to picture myself watching my advisor doing the dishes… couldn’t.
Although I am somewhat picked by the idea that students did not participate much in chores, I am mostly disturbed by the idea that some people did everything and others did nothing. This is wrong. I can tell you, if these had been my students, I would have freaked out.
3 comments:
Dear Stepwise Girl,
Yes. I'd be über-piqued. This is the new investigators' (i.e. grad students') chance to show they can contribute. There's a book by M. Hustad called How to be useful. The non-contributing field trip team members need that book.
I can see how, as a visitor, you may not have said anything in the situation. But who was in charge? They're not doing a very good job of helping their students learn how to play well with others.
Oh man, I'd have been posting job schedules after the first few days!
Although my PI did once insist on doing all the cooking and cleaning on a lab day out on his friend's boat. I think he just felt guilty about all the seasickness that was going on (not me, I'm reasonably good on boats. In fact I was eating his chicken curry and drinking his beer while other people were hanging off the sides...)
That's the thing: It's good if everyone contributes, it can be good team building. But SHARING is the key word!
Cath: Sounds like you are indeed very er... adaptable to all sorts of circumstances? ;)
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