Across Asia, young people who work at cafés and convenience stores, study at night, work another shift somewhere else. The little sleep they get is in hot quarters shared with half a dozen other people in a bedspace or the store of their workplace. They squeeze in trains or buses. Yet, they smile and attend to you with empathy. They are my superheroes. I want them to do well and run telcos and insurance companies. Perhaps then, we will dislike such companies less.
As a traveling educator, I spend an inordinate amount of time at cafes in different cities. When I return to a familiar cafe, the wi-fi connects instantly and there is a welcome smile from the staff. I feel like I am home. When they get a breather, they stop by to tell me about the latest in their lives. These conversations help me understand what is happening in a country and society.