Male stewards a welcome sight for rail travelers_美文

Male stewards a welcome sight for rail travelers

"These young men are also trained to deal with such situations, which require them to control their tempers," he said.

But stewards also have their own advantages: They are better suited to certain tasks, he said.

"It's easier for us to help the passengers with their large luggage and urge some passengers to stop violating rules on trains," said Wang Feng, a 25-year-old steward.

A high-speed train trip from Beijing to Guangzhou takes more than nine hours. According to the schedule, each of the six stewards is assigned to two to four carriages. Tasks include checking tickets, sorting luggage and other necessary services. Wang is responsible for serving passengers on four carriages.

"We will make rounds through the carriages every 15 minutes," Wang said, adding that he has to replace his socks after every trip "because they are worn out."

Fan, the team's leader, said stewards walk about 15 km in the course of service on a single trip, resulting in calloused feet. He added that they are seldom able to have their meals on time.

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.