My name is Roxanne Coutou and I am a hotel room attendant. Coutou is a French name. I don't know who was French, but, I guess years ago, when French people came. All through my life, everybody singing to me, "Roxxxxx-annne don't put on the red dress!" It's a lovely song. I hate that song. Just because everybody sing it to me. I worked on a ship for years and every guest who see my name tag singing that song to me. Everybody think they doing something nice. And I getting more vexed.
I was born in South. I come from Rancho Quemado. Went to Rancho Quemado Government Primary. I lived there until I was around 11-12. Country days, mango trees, plum trees. I was more of a tomboy. It had more boys than girls. I went to Palo for Form One but then transferred. I went into Form Two in San Juan Secondary. But I made friends. I might talk on Facebook now with a few of the girls but I don't have any close friends from school.
One of my best friends, Marcia, is from work. When someone sees me and doesn't see her, they ask, "Where is the other half?" She is a dread too. I went up and told her, "Marcia, this man want to interview me and I don't like how I looking today" and she said, "Girl, go and do the thing!" The other of my best friends I met shopping and we're friends now 20 years and more.
I have a daughter, Nikia Coutou, she's 15, and my son, Aiden, is two. He's spoiled but he's a joy every day. Nikia goes to Bishop Anstey. She's a good student since she was a little child. The nun in Rosary said, "This child is an A-student from here to university". I think I am a fantastic driver. But other drivers mightn't think so.
Every time I wish for things, I wish God had make me a singer. I sing in the shower, but that's it. Sometimes people say I have a nice voice. But I don't like my voice, so I don't know. When I hear my voice on a recording, I'm like, "That's my voice?" My daughter is in Bishop's choir. She's excellent.
I like a lot of old-time music. When I was small, we had a fire with our house, so we had no TV, just a radio. So I always listen to Casey Kasem Top 40. So everybody today is like: "You know that song?" I'm a reality TV fan. Survivor is back now, so I'm good. I glad they ain't vote out Russell. Not Russell the Villain, my darling, but a black guy with ras.' Every day, I watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. I answer a few questions on Jeopardy but I solve more puzzles on Wheel.
My son brings me most joy nowadays. I shouldn't say just my son: my kids. But he is a baby, so, you know, all the new things he doing and how he so fresh up! The job is basically to clean the guest rooms. They train you to make a hotel bed. My supervisor is always complimenting me. But I don't make my bed at home the way I make my bed at home. If my supervisor reach home by me, she might take back the compliments!
The best part of the job is knowing that, when people enter the room, which is like a perfect environment, is me who did it. You have to work a lot of weekends but, other than that, there is no down side. It's a nice place to work, a good environment, and people are friendly. (Former general manager) Ali Khan was always bubbly, like he never stop bubbling.
Being a Trinidadian helps you work anywhere, like when I worked on the ship. Being that we have so much cultural diversity and stuff. You fit in with anybody. A Trini turns anything into a lime. I went away to Boston to try to live but then I said, "Eh-eh! I love my country better." I was missing everything. To me, Trinidad and Tobago is so much better.
Read a longer version of this feature at www.BCRaw.com
