Days ago I had someone redo my kitchen. Before the project got started, the designer told me I need an extra section of water pipe to joint the sink.  “You bring the pipe and I will pay you.” I said. Surprisingly, the guy answered, “we don’t sell pipe, you should buy a pipe by yourself.” His accent proved he is from some place in Hunan Province.  “You make kitchen but you don’t have water pipe?” “No, we don’t. And I suggest you go to the Muxiyuan crossover where there are a handful of migrant worker waiting who sell pipe and do the work. We are only responsible for connecting joints. That’s called professional.”

 If I had watched the movie Crash before my kitchen refurbished, I wouldn’t be so surprised. Here is a dialogue quoted from the movie:

A Latino locksmith is not responsible for changing doors and a Chinese kitchen worker shrinks from selling water pipes. This is a globalized professionalism and a triumph of labor division.

Sometimes, you can’t blame people, maybe they don’t like their jobs at all.