Ceilia
Thanks for your attention everyone. Now, as you know, I attended a conference yesterday and one of the great ideas I learnt was giving members of staff the opportunity to experience what other members of staff do.

Mary
You mean a job swap?

Gordon
So one of you lot is going to try doing my job?! Impossible!

Ceilia
I want you to see what it feels like to be in someone else's shoes.

Peter
But I wouldn't fit in your shoes.

Ceilia
Not literally Peter. It's just to understand what other people do – I'll take your job and you can take mine. And Mary and Gordon you can swap jobs too. Now, I'll take some orders – can I have your notepad please Peter?

Gordon
Oh very well... actually, from where I'm standing, it seems like I've got the easy job!

Mary
We'll see about that.

Peter
So everyone back to work please. Come on Gordon, we need all these plates washed.

Ceilia
I have an order - Four Seasons Vegetable Ragout for two people.

Mary
OK, coming right up. Gordon – I'll need some large bowls washing... and I'll need that pan... come on, quick as you can.

Gordon
I hear you! I just can't believe I've got to do all this.

Peter
Well done Mary... you're doing a great job.

Gordon
Actually... can you spare me a thought... I've got to do all this.

Peter
Hmm, I can see where you're coming from. You can't cope... you're fired. Off you go.

Gordon
You can't do that!

Mary
Peter! Take some pity on him – he's after all only a washer-upper!

Ceilia
So how's the job swap going?

Gordon
He's sacked me!

Ceilia
Well done. I've been trying to do that for months! How's it going for you Mary?

Mary
It's all fine. All the food's ready to go. I don't know why Gordon makes such a fuss about cooking!

Ceilia
Nor do I. But you see in my job, I have to show empathy for people. So Gordon – you can stay... for now.

Vocabulary

empathy
being able to understand how someone else feels because you can imagine being in their situation

to be in someone else's shoes
to experience something from someone else's point of view

from where I'm standing
from my point of view; in my opinion

I hear you
I can hear what you're saying

spare me a thought
think about me as well

I see where you're coming from
I understand your situation

take pity on him
feel sorry for him

Credits

Gordon Grater: Neil Frost

Ceilia Spatula: Amina Zia

Peter Peppermill: Darren Benedict

Marigold Marcelo (Mary for short): Stacha Hicks

Written, produced and directed by: Rob Carter