At 29, Pablo wins 2000 euros per month as a kitchen assistant in a seafood restaurant in the south of France. Without a diploma, he learned his trade on the job and is satisfied with his salary “ if we take into account the fact that I don’t even have my certificate ”, but thinks he could have a little more with a degree. “ About ten years ago, I was a clerk and earned 1400 euros per monthhe remembers. But I had two days off a week “. It was he who took the step of requesting a first increase at the end of the first summer season. “ I first spoke about it to the sous chef who supported me with the restaurant managerhe testifies. I got 200 euros at once I think and then increased by a hundred euros every two years “. And arrive at this salary of 2000 euros, with only one and a half days of rest per week, but while being fed lunch and dinnerand with a few envelopes given discreetly from time to time.
Is he satisfied with his salary in relation to his seniority? “ In 10 years I think it could be betterhe admits. Indeed, I would not like to earn less “. On the other hand, he knows how to appreciate the benefits in kind that the managers of the establishment offer to his staff: “ There are lots of little unofficial perkshe describes. It’s a bit like home, I eat there but I drink coffee too. It’s true that the general atmosphere is very family-friendly. I could even consider the manager my grandmother, she says yes to a lot of things actually “. If you had to count everything, the kitchen assistant estimates the value of the benefits at around 1000 euros per monthlike when he replaces the boss during their vacations or sick leave. “ My bosses know how to be grateful, say thank you and reward me financially “.
The wages of freedom
Pablo is satisfied with his salary and the benefits of the job but he would understand that it doesn’t attract because of the cut : “ Finishing work at 2 p.m. and working again from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. or more could justify earning morehe declares. Psychologically, this can be difficult because you don’t really feel like you’re stopping work until both services are completed, as if you were still in a restaurant “. Although he has since gotten used to it by integrating it into his lifestyle with afternoon naps and short nights. This year, he generally finishes around 10 p.m., a later time than other years which he explains by the drop in restaurant attendance. In high season, he can leave work around 11:30 p.m.
“ For me, salary is important because it represents freedomanalyzes Pablo. It allows me to do what I want and buy what I want. I would feel stuck if I didn’t have the means to have some pleasures. Today, everything is paid for in our society so you have to earn a minimum of a living, or go and live in the forest “. However, with his salary as a clerk, he was doing as well as now but the expenses are a little more numerous: “ Indeed, I go out a lot in the summer but generally, I have money left over at the end of the month. When I don’t go out too much, I manage to put money aside, around 2000 or 3000 euros per year, but I draw on it when I need to make slightly exceptional purchases. “.
Earn more, to do what?
The kitchen assistant would like to touch A higher salary. “ 2500 or 3000 euros per month would change a lot of things, I could live better, even if my salary today doesn’t stop me from anything thanks to my little safety mattress “, he admits. But a salary increase would require changing establishments, which he is not ready to do: “ I would no longer have the comfort I have today “. Furthermore, he also plays network video games without earning any income from it but without putting all the chances on his side, he thinks: “ If tomorrow I have the opportunity to make money with it, I will do it but I’m not going to give up everything either “. What is he missing? Time maybe : “ In catering, we don’t have many “.
