The Classes of Convention

I'm in Chicago along for the ride with a good and close friend who is working a commercial real estate convention ( they represent a national department store ).  I couldn't help but notice the distinction between those who provide labor for the convention and those who are here doing business, among other things.

The labor force is in the form of union laborers providing the physical support to set up, prepare, serve and otherwise put on the show.  Aside from the attire they wear ( uniforms or their own 'work' clothes ) which makes them distinguishable from the patrons, is the manner in which they carry themselves; in speech, demeanor and appearance.  Some have a weaker semblance of health ( some overweight, some with a limp, etc. ).  Some are due for a trim in their beard or hairline.  Some wear a faded uniformed suit washed once too many times.

The people conducting business ( deal making ) are mostly dressed in sharp and tidy dark suits, with their iPhone, iTouch or other "i" something.  They wear shiny glasses, matching adornments on their necks and hands.  Most have an appearance of health in their eyes and skin tone and in their movement.  Their speech is clearer without the use of 'ums' and such  Their hair is neat, combed, pressed and placed where they intend it to be.

Although various ethnic types are found in both groups, the labor side is predominantly represented by a contrasting array of colors leaning towards the darker side of the spectrum and include immigrants from various places throughout the world, while the non labor side tends to blend with lighter colored hues and have a more homogenous appearance.

I did make note that one other particular 'class' is missing from this convention.  Sure, some walking this hall are the actual owners of commercial real estate property ( who have built their little 'empires' from the ground up ), as well as those who have built their merchandising business also from concept to reality... but there still is missing one particular class.  It is the class which usually does not traverse such places.  The group of people who do own and possess that which many working here in fact do not!  They are the class who has other people do the hiring and firing, the working and lifting, the negotiating... the actual running of the business from dawn to dusk, and this particular class, at times, simply autographs their name to something ( but typically have executives do most of signing ).  This is the class which usually goes unnoticed and is hardly ever mentioned in conversation, unless by rendering allegiance to employment or referring to whomever is really in charge.

Also missing is another element in society; the class which is usually ignored.  The class of people who are usually displaced by the exploits and nearsighted approach of many who are making million dollar deals here today.  These are the folks who are usually laid off to create a healthier bottom line for the other absent class.  This class is usually asked to take less pay for more work, on occasion may be asked to move across the country to keep their current benefits and current salary, who are asked to simply look for another job or simply visit a government office when their position is replaced by automation or by someone living in another country.  This class too is usually unnoticed and hardly ever mentioned in conversation.. yet this particular class does have all the shades of the societal spectrum and may even include members from all levels of society; those born with silver and gold spoons feeding them as infants, or plastic poisonous spoons used to feed them most of their lives.

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