The book makes it explicit that it is talking about "receptionists and front-desk personnel at places that obviously don’t need them." The example provided is that of a Dutch publishing company at which the phone rang once a day, and the receptionist's task included keeping a "candy dish full of mints" (mints supplied by another person), winding a grandfather clock once a week, and "managing another receptionist's Avon sales."

It goes on to state that the receptionist at such a place is required as a "Badge of Seriousness" even if they have nothing else to do.