Word on the Street: Professions

"Doctors are the most prestigious. Although they recently went on strike, it's hard to be surprised because the situation was critical for them. Doctors are people we can't do without, and their work is praiseworthy. On the other hand, politicians don't care about people; the only thing they worry about is lining their pockets. I have no respect for them. My salary has been the same for five years, and every time I ask for contributions at the social security office, they look at me like I'm bothering them. Mostly, I respect those doing something for the public - like doctors and policemen."

Kristýna, waitress

"Definitely doctors. They help people. But the recent protests over salaries made me mad; I was waiting for an operation and was really distressed about what was going to happen. The worst are definitely politicians; they only care about themselves and do nothing for ordinary people. In the early days after the Velvet Revolution, they felt for people, but then they got used to having money, and now they only watch the level of their high salaries. They think pensioners are doing OK. Well, I'd like to see them try living on 8,000 Kč for one month."

Zdeňka, pensioner

Kristýna, waitress

Zdeňka

Tomáš

Václav

Jiří

"I work in an advertising agency, so the most appealing prestige for me relates to this business. But I also respect doctors as we all need them. I also understand their recent protests, because if you're good at something, you want to get paid. As for politicians, I hate them. I mean, how can these bastards earn 250,000 Kč and still indulge in all that scamming? Sometimes I get together with friends over a beer and contemplate joining politics to bring order. One friend - a dreamer - went into politics, and after a couple of months, he said they weren't so bad. They just glue your mouth up with money."

Tomáš, marketing manager

"The most respected occupations are doctor, firefighter and paramedic. The biggest dirt are advertising salespeople in publishing houses. I know because I have experience. These guys have friends in firms that make budget decisions, and it works on friendships, superficiality and sexual practices. It's filthy. Politicians aren't really dirty. I understand one might think so by reading the papers and following the news, but among them, some try to do something good. It is whether they end up working for those who elected them or those who finance them."

Václav, student

"The most respected are doctors. I have many acquaintances among them, so I see a little under the surface. They need a great deal of empathy to be able to devote such an incredible amount of time to their jobs. The least respected people for me are financial advisers offering various sorts of insurances, etc. Perhaps I have some medieval mentality, but I don't see them creating any value."

Jiří, high-school teacher