The ups and downs of a tollgate attendant Nina Andriani

JAKARTA (JP): After an unknown woman appeared in a TV commercial program in 1994 as a tollgate attendant, many women in the profession have been teased by passing motorists.

The reason, perhaps, is a chance to tease pretty, friendly gate attendants. The star in the commercial was attractive and is now famous. The vitamin C commercial, in which the attendant offers the product to motorists, has left a long-lasting impression.

Nina Andriani, 21, who works at a tollgate in Slipi, is one attendant who has not been spared. Motorist after motorist will ask, "Xon-Ce-nya mannna?" (Where's my Xon-Ce?), imitating the vitamin supplement ad.

"Customers now and then tease me or grab my hand and recite the commercial dialog. Sometimes they even flirt with me and give me their telephone numbers," she said.

She said bus and truck drivers were the ones that usually grabbed her hand or tickled it, but car drivers just recite the ad.

Nina, in her blue uniform, has worked at the tollgate since last year.

"At job training we were informed about driver's playful acts," Nina said. They were told to remain polite.

According to the policy of PT Jasa Raharja, the state-owned company which manages all Indonesian toll roads, she said gate attendants are not supposed to accept anything from customers.

"We even refuse newspapers," she said.

Distributors of the Kompas daily give them a copy of the newspaper everyday, which is submitted to coordinators.

Nina is a high school graduate who had attended a eight-month accounting course.

She had wanted to continue her studies at medical school, but since her younger brother was still in high school, Nina joined the workforce instead. She said she did not want to burden her parents.

"My dad, who works at a post office -- but not in a high position -- urged me to pursue my studies, but I wanted to work so I could support myself," she said.

Nina also said working was not as enjoyable as she had imagined it would be.

"I used to think it would be nice to have my own money and spend it the way I want. But the tight shift at work often prevents me from doing the things I want to do, like shopping," she said.

She also said working conditions were sometimes uncomfortable. For instance, she said Moslem employees, who perform their daily prayers, have to do so in a cramped corner.

They are also not allowed to eat or drink while serving motorists. She also said colleagues have to share a small toilet.

"I'm not complaining, I consider these things something that comes with the job."

Nina also said all inconveniences will be over when she, like other attendants, gets promoted and is transferred to company headquarters, which will happen after one year if she performs well.

Nina, who enjoys reading popular novels and going to movies, says she can help finance her brother's studies.

"It's not much, and my parents don't think it's necessary, but I still want to help. It makes me proud of myself."

She is planning to stay with the company for at least one more year or so, saying she's content for now.

But even though she has given up the dream of becoming a doctor, she plans to go back to school later this year.

"I'm going to spend my late afternoons and evenings studying accounting," she said.

She said all employees are entitled to a bonus each year for good work conduct. A selected number get the opportunity to attend training courses. (12)