In today’s digital world in which people are becoming increasingly computer-literate, few use the cumbersome mechanical typewriter. However, there is an exception.
Pham Thi Anh Thu in Nha Trang city in central Khanh Hoa province still manages to earn a living by typing documents for her clients on her typewriter just as she has been doing in the past 25 years. Thu, 42, slowly presses on each heavy key with one or two fingers, with her eyes intently looking at the dark black text appearing on the white paper.
Rain or shine in all these years, Thu persistently sits at the Phan Boi Chau – Han Thuyen corner, waiting for customers.
“In the era of information technology boom and with the ready availability of computer and photocopy stores, it’s quite surprising that typing documents in Nha Trang still survives though few people do this job these days,” Thu said.
Born in a family of three generations of typists, Thu’s recollections of the days remain vivid.
She added that the heyday of her job is in the early 1980s and 1990s. Back then, along with documents, typewriter typists were also hired to type poems, short stories for writers or even personal letters bound for other countries. They always had their hands full and earned good money.
Since the computer is increasingly used, she has had to move her ‘workplace’ from street to street.
During all these years, Thu has met both good and bad people. Despite considerable hardship, she doesn’t always type what her clients request.
“What I find most troubling is typing divorce documents. I’ll be paid but maybe their families would be shattered by the documents,” she explained.
Thus, when someone asks her to type a divorce paper, she happens to become a mediator.
“The job requires a good heart,” as Thu always bears it in mind. She usually charges low fees or no fees at all when poor people ask her to type complaints.
“I’ll stick to the job though it is quite obsolete now. When no one uses typewriters anymore then it’s time to think about other things,” Thu shared before loading her things onto her old bike and hurrying to pick up her two children from school.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
