BULLYING and harassment, by definition, is offensive to a majority of people, be it at school or work.

However, there is another side of the coin.

If you elect to serve in certain trades or professions, during your apprenticeship or probationary service, especially while you are still wet behind the ears, as the saying goes, your introduction to living and working in the outside world can prove to be a culture shock.

Being employed in certain high-profile jobs, especially in the public services, ie health service, police, fire brigade and the armed forces, you will have to deal with outside pressures. These can take the form of harassment and sometimes physical abuse, unpleasant and dangerous situations, plus having to adhere to rules and regulations, combined with years of constant examinations and courses to boot.

You will need to be mentally and physically tough and resilient, developing a thick hide into the bargain. You will learn that idle and silly remarks are unworthy of notice.

Unfortunately, there are some people, for reasons known only to themselves, who join these professions who are not suited. They are possibly misguided by the alleged glamour of the job. These so-called uniform carriers, high- flyers whose sole ambition is to sit behind an office desk, are persuaded by others that serving in the front line is of a temporary nature.

I say "if you can't stand the heat don't go into the kitchen". These jobs are not for the faint-hearted.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.