Yes ma'm, you're right, I'm worthless

[blas]

I've had many an assclown or two (or hundreds) belittle me at all of my jobs.

I had several people use the old, "You're too pretty/smart/creative/insert word here to work at a place like THIS"

The old cleaning lady at the gas station told me that I belonged in California as a fashion designer. Hehe, that'd be nice, but reality check.

Some of us have parents who refuse to help out with college.

When I got the job at the factory and word had spread around the gas station to all the "clientel" that I was leaving, I can't even count how many people said, "So you finally got a REAL job?"

I totally forgot on my last day to say, "Yes, a JOB. A place where you go to work to make LEGITIMATE money, unlike you." (we had a lot of drug dealers and whatnot).

[Gurndigarn]

No no no...try this "Actually I'm writing my Doctoral Thesis on how the caste system is still in effect in the minds of people and how they act around people they assume (falsely at times) are beneath them."

That'd shut her the 'ell up

Only if she understood it-- a rather big assumption.

[XCashier]

Rude Pax to Flight Attendant: "I bet you wish you'd worked harder at school so you didn't have to do this job?
Flight Attendant: I bet you wish you'd worker harder at school so you'd be flying in Business Class!

"Actually I'm writing my Doctoral Thesis on how the caste system is still in effect in the minds of people and how they act around people they assume (falsely at times) are beneath them."

Now, if only we could think these up at the appropriate time, AND not get in trouble for saying them!

Any job that you do to pay your bills and be an independant, contributing member of your community is a real job. Every working person deserves respect, regardless of the job they do or the amount of education they have, because they are part of what is making their country work, as opposed to sitting on their butts collecting welfare or scamming a living without working for it some other way.

AMEN to that! There is no shame in good, honest hard work. Even if you're digging ditches or mucking out stables, you're still providing a valued service, contributing to the community and earning an honest, respectable wage. Can these arrogant customers say the same thing?

[Rapscallion]

Jack later moved back home.

If he enjoyed his job and life so much, why?

Rapscallion, an enquiring mind

[blaubent]

Everyone is missing one point here: If we did not work "real" jobs, who would scan and bag the snob's groceries? If everyone had a "real" job, people would complain that there are no cashiers and blah blah blah to serve them. You just cannot please them regardless how hard you try.

[simplyanother]

I think in the US, part of the reason why people tend to look down on retail and employees in other service industries is because we have it droned into our heads--"you don't want to grow up to be a burger flipper" (cashier, to do menial labor, etc).

So we're taught from an early age that really the only people who have those jobs are losers, when that certainly isn't the case. It also doesn't help that MANY of those jobs have no benefits or crappy benefits, so people don't look at them the same way they'd look at a white color job. Which is a shame.

How many people did I know that thought they were BETTER than those jobs? Plenty and ya'll, I'm lower middle class. These are people who weren't stupid, but they felt that jobs at walmart & wendy's were far far beneath them.

(Re: Benefits... I couldn't afford to insure my family on the plan I was offered. If it were just me, then I could swing it, but I've got children, and there are weeks where I actually make less than what it would have cost. So, I have no insurance. Part of the reason I'm for a national health care system is that I think it would help get rid of SOME of the stigma attached to those jobs. Though I'm sure that those of you in countries with national healthcare systems will let me know where my logic is flawed. Mind you, I do realise that there will be jerks no matter WHAT. lol )

The argument that retail gives you flexible hours is a great one. Ugh.

(My least favorite customers are the ones who imply that I'm a moron because I can't subtract very quickly. )

Sorry everyone.

[Jester]

If he enjoyed his job and life so much, why?

Personal reasons for him unrelated to his job. And he still enjoys his life, just in a different locale.

[Food Lady]

I have to tell you all that those of us who work in food are probably assumed to be the biggest losers. I work for a retail store in the cafe, but people treat me like the apparently dreaded fast food worker. I must be stupid and/or lazy. I am neither. I'm actually quite intelligent but made some mistakes in college. And who's to say I needed to go to college at all? At this point in my life, I want to go back to school because I have a career goal in mind, not because I'm ashamed of what I do. I happen to think I work for the best retailer in the country; I really love the company I work for. I don't always like serving food, but they are hard-pressed to find someone who will work as hard at it as I do. I'm single, supporting myself and doing my best to pay off debt, but it's not good enough for my extended family, some past coworkers, and SCs. My aunt once railed on my company, talking about how they use people, don't give benefits, yada yada yada, none of which is true. I was like, Do you realize you're insulting me and my job?? Or that I may not agree with you? You're insulting the company I work for and I'm supposed to be ok with that? Another wonderful "friend" once told me I had a "teenager's job." Uh, duh, teens weren't even allowed to work there because they couldn't be held responsible for the store as I was. But I'm learning to let it all roll off my back. Not everyone can be as fast and good at multitasking as I am. I can handle quite a bit of crap in a shift.

[DesignFox]

Yea. I love my BF dearly, but he constantly puts down my job choice. And he uses the same "You have a teenager's job" argument. He also argues about how my company uses people, doesn't give benefits (unless you are a manager) blah blah blah. I happen to think I work for a wonderful company. I don't feel like my managers or my company take advantage of me. Actually, they do a lot for me that any other company/manager would NEVER bother to do. I am next in line for promotion, and once that finally happens, I shouldn't have to work multiple jobs in order to pay my bills. I happen to really really really Love my Job!!! I am not allowed to speak of the place I work, unfortunately...but suffice to say, it makes me happy. Everyday I go to work with a smile on my face, and in the past almost year I have worked there, I think I came home frustrated and upset once (and mostly, I was feeling sick and hadn't slept well that day)! Yes, I went to college. My goals in life have changed a great deal since I was a freshman in college. I enjoy having a flexible schedule that allows me to ride horsies and fit other experiences into my life that an office job would NOT permit. I still can't get him to understand this...but, I just do what I want/need to do- he deals with it. I just don't get what the big deal is if you go to school and then change your plans...or if you just decide that you don't want an office job...or if you are one of those people incapable of doing any other job. One thing I will say for him- it's not like he looks down on other people- he just thinks I could "do better" for myself... wtf? I say, if you are doing what makes you happy, and you are holding your life together...how much "better" can it get?

[protege]

Office jobs aren't all they're cracked up to be. I've been doing it 8 years now. It's pretty boring, actually. Most days tend to blur into each other. However, it has given me the opportunity to do things I otherwise wouldn't--buy a house, car, food, etc. Sure, I could probably do those things with a "burger-flipper" type job, but it would take *much* longer.

I also didn't want to struggle like my parents did. For years, money was tight--most of the time, my father was working multiple jobs. He'd come home at night, and literally collapse. Even then, it was still hard making the bills. Quite a bit of maintenance was deferred on the house, cars, and nearly everything. Trust me, having your furnace shut down during cold winters...well, sucks. Things have gotten better now--he went back to school and is now an English teacher.

After dealing with that crap, I vowed I'd *never* go through it again! That's why I went to college to get a better job with better pay and benefits. 8 years on, the car is paid for, the school loans are paid for, and the house is coming along. Who says adversity doesn't make you stronger?

[Becks]

I had several people use the old, "You're too pretty/smart/creative/insert word here to work at a place like THIS"

I get that at least once a month, but lately it's come to about once a week.

I have ambition, but little motivation. What a combo.

[Ciarrai]

I've had a few people tell me I'm far too smart to work at Drug Store. Only a few more months and I'm outta there.

[Giggle Goose]

I enjoy having a flexible schedule that allows me to ride horsies and fit other experiences into my life that an office job would NOT permit.

I agree! Here's an example: I had a Monday afternoon off, and got to get ALL my Christmas shopping done and avoid the mad rush on the weekends and in the evenings! I feel I can really relax more on my days off because they are usually when everyone else is locked away in their office.

[Gurndigarn]

I get the opposite problem:

"Duuuuuude! Where'd you get that awesome [known game company] shirt?"
[wryly] "It's my work shirt." [/wryly]
"That must be the most awesome job in the world!"
[lifts eyebrow sardonicly] "I think you missed the word 'work'".
"No, man, seriously. Tell me all about it!"