the Southgerman newspaper spoke to Oktoberfest employees who were attending the Theresienwiese for the first time. What did you expect – and how did it come about?
“I’ve never been treated with such rudeness in my life”
“I worked at a food stand for the first six days of the Oktoberfest. I was always punctual and reliable, I even trained other girls. On the sixth day I asked my boss for my employment contract because it hadn’t been given to me by then. She then yelled at me and verbally abused me. She told me I could sign the employment contract and then I should go home and never come back. The reason: My question was annoying and disrespectful, you should just trust her. ‘Get out, Get lost!’, the boss called after me, in front of our guests.Actually, I had planned to work the whole Oktoberfest time.
Otherwise, there is a very harsh tone at the stand. I have already gained some experience in gastronomy and know that it can often be stressful and sometimes a bit loud. But I’ve never experienced anything like that before. In the beginning, like my colleagues, I ignored a lot of things and tried to ignore them.
I have the feeling that my boss has no awareness of how to deal with people. She whistled at me like a dog. I would say I’ve never been treated with such rudeness in my life. I would still work at the Wiesn again, but then definitely at a different stand.”
Lara (name changed), 19
“Sometimes I worked 17 hours, not because I had to, but because I wanted to”
“I’m studying medicine in Vienna and came back home especially for the Wiesn because I wanted to know what it’s like to work there as a paramedic. I had assignments in treatment, in monitoring and in porter service you go out to the people and pick up those who need help. I had to get used to that a bit at the beginning, because it often happened that you spoke to a person who couldn’t react immediately, but who you didn’t immediately go to rescue tent takes here just another level of drunkenness is normal, this was new to me.
What I also didn’t know is the so-called detention examination that the police require for people who are to be taken to the drunk tank overnight, for example. This is carried out by the chief physician of the medical station. In the meantime, those arrested have often begged us paramedics to help them out. That was sometimes a bit uncomfortable because that’s not our job. Luckily, I was instructed in detail and always had people with me who knew their way around. In general, I was really impressed by the collegiality and the willingness to help among the people here, and I was able to ask questions at any time.
All in all it was a great experience for me. I sometimes worked 17 hours, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. I’ve learned a lot from a medical point of view and now I’m really good at assisting, especially when it comes to head wounds and cuts.”
Lina, 19
“The best thing was to stroll across the Wiesn in the morning when nobody is there”
“I don’t know if almond burning is something I would do all my life, but the job was really fun at the Oktoberfest. It took me about three days to figure out all the tricks: when does the sugar come in “Which nut can cocoa be added to? How do I avoid lumps of sugar? Especially when you’re incorporated as pleasantly as I was, you make progress really quickly. ‘You have to do this now’, I didn’t even hear. Instead it was called it: ‘If you pay attention to this and that, it will be especially good.’
The nicest thing was working the early shift and strolling through the Oktoberfest in the morning when nobody else was there. There is something. When I finished at night, all hell broke loose. Everywhere drunks who are very inconsiderate, especially when dealing with women. Once there were three boys in front of our stand who kept whistling at a girl. It just doesn’t have to be.
I totally understand that the mood at work gets a little tense at some point. My boss is there every day from 8:30 in the morning until the end of the Oktoberfest, and she hasn’t slept properly in two weeks. That’s not my problem, but I understand her situation and therefore overlook some things. Next week we’re going out for dinner with the whole team, I think that’s nice. My boss already said that I should be there again next Oktoberfest. But I’m not quite sure yet.”
Lucas (name changed), 53
“I can’t judge what it’s really like to work at the Oktoberfest”
“I was really looking forward to the Wiesn, was willing to work a lot and long hours, to earn good money in a short time. Unfortunately, I was mostly disappointed. I worked in the beer garden, where you depend on nice weather. Because it rained most days this year, there were no guests and consequently no sales.I often stood around uselessly and was sent home early.
I don’t think I can judge after this year what it’s really like to work at the Oktoberfest. Not only because of the weather, but also because of the corona pandemic, far fewer people came than usual. My friends and acquaintances who used to work at the Wiesn have the craziest stories up their sleeve, tell of the high spirits and partying together after the shift. None of this matches my experience. In many moments I was quite bored and annoyed, felt like I could be doing more meaningful things right now. That is really a shame. I know the Wiesn as a guest and I really like being there. But this year it just kind of felt different.”
Vanessa (name changed), 33