Full Time Work...What a load

coolemon

The problem is capitalism.

Hunter-gatherer societies, despite not having any great productive capacity or technology, spent something like five times less time working to produce their requirements and needs.

Here today, with robots, mass production and advanced agricultural methods, we not only have people working longer than they have done so for much of human history, but we have people starving to death and living in grinding poverty.

Capitalism needs people to constantly work, spend, work, spend, work, spend, work. Otherwise the wheels of profit would come off the cart. And this is one reason why rather than the working day decreasing in accordance with the ever growing productive capacity, that they have been steady or increasing.

The biggest "spongers" are the millionaires who are living it up on their superyachts in the Med.

Those who are not working should feel ashamed of that fact when the ultra-
sponging millionaires/billionaires do. And for whom all those working are in servitude due to the ultra-spongers huge buying power.

Get away with doing as little as you can is what I say. If the wheels come off the cart then perhaps a more rational system of social and economic organisation could be ushered in.

MadYaker

I'm really sh!t at managing my finances. I impulse buy stuff constantly. I also have a car to run which is why I couldn't survive on the dole.

coolemon

bbam wrote: »

I can't condone nor understand those promoting life on the dole. It shows no moral fortitude to expect others to pay for your keep,

Then the whole economic system is rotten. Unless you think the wealthy are "looking after themselves"?

Whats that song by the Dubliners. "The Rich must help the poor, so must I, so must I".

healthcare and general facilities. .

Those making massive money are externalising the healthcare of their workers (or lack thereof).

People are paying with their own inability to afford health insurance or health care for the profit of their employers, since their pay often does not cover the costs.

So who is looking after who...

jobeenfitz

Arawn wrote: »

You sicken me op. I was unemplyed for ages and hated every bit of it. Now I'm in a position to offer other people a job, 70 a day after a tax and lazy people such as yourself think it's not worth it

this is just a nasty post, in my opinion.

seenitall

Work, Buy, Consume, Die.

Playboy

As long as you manage to pay your way and you aren't scrounging off the state now or in the future then good luck to you. Although at this rate you will likely be scrounging off the state when retired as you will prob have paid less in than you took out by then.

Femme_Fatale

If people see working full-time as a waste of life, and a social construction while there are babies starving (or something ) that's their opinion which they're entitled to, but no need to project that onto people who want to work full-time (or close to it) and would have a meltdown if they were on the dole.

Playboy

coolemon wrote: »

The problem is capitalism.

Hunter-gatherer societies, despite not having any great productive capacity or technology, spent something like five times less time working to produce their requirements and needs.

Here today, with robots, mass production and advanced agricultural methods, we not only have people working longer than they have done so for much of human history, but we have people starving to death and living in grinding poverty.

Capitalism needs people to constantly work, spend, work, spend, work, spend, work. Otherwise the wheels of profit would come off the cart. And this is one reason why rather than the working day decreasing in accordance with the ever growing productive capacity, that they have been steady or increasing.

The biggest "spongers" are the millionaires who are living it up on their superyachts in the Med.

Those who are not working should feel ashamed of that fact when the ultra-
sponging millionaires/billionaires do. And for whom all those working are in servitude due to the ultra-spongers huge buying power.

Get away with doing as little as you can is what I say. If the wheels come off the cart then perhaps a more rational system of social and economic organisation could be ushered in.

Haha this is brilliant! Why don't you go live a hunter gatherer lifestyle in the outback of Australia if its so great. What age are you by the way? I only ask because you could well already be dead if living in that kind of society.

Also nothing stopping anyone making millions... Just takes some talent, brains and hard work. Not going to make millions sitting on the dole moaning about how other people don't take care of you well enough. This sense of entitlement is everything wrong with today's society. I'd love to drop some of you in a poor country with nothing but your wits for a few years.

Handsome Bob

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

I've a few mates on the dole, one trains all he wants and is always doing different things, the other is off on his 4 holiday of the year already(yes thats 4 trips abroad since January)

/rant

I'm sure that he has and is.

Esoteric_

Handsome Bob wrote: »

I'm sure that he has and is.

He's not legitimately claiming the dole if he's on 4 holidays per year, anyway. The dole allows you two weeks of holiday time per year, so unless these 'holidays' are weekends away, he's defrauding the State if he is indeed going on several holidays per year.

_Kaiser_

Forget about the whole "you chose to have kids/a mortgage/car etc" argument (which is true in fairness) - what I find gas about this thread and some of the replies is the idea that the dole is or can be a "lifestyle choice"

The dole is there as a TEMPORARY support mechanism to help people who lose their jobs until they find another. Although there ARE people who think they can just sit on their ass instead, that's not what it is intended for and these people should be cut down to the bare minimum of support (paid in vouchers/directly to their landlord or bank etc)

It'd be funny watching some people here trying to defend/justify this idea if it wasn't for the fact that these people are actually serious! :rolleyes:

Jonny7

coolemon wrote: »

The problem is capitalism.

Hunter-gatherer societies, despite not having any great productive capacity or technology, spent something like five times less time working to produce their requirements and needs.

Here today, with robots, mass production and advanced agricultural methods, we not only have people working longer than they have done so for much of human history, but we have people starving to death and living in grinding poverty.

Capitalism needs people to constantly work, spend, work, spend, work, spend, work. Otherwise the wheels of profit would come off the cart. And this is one reason why rather than the working day decreasing in accordance with the ever growing productive capacity, that they have been steady or increasing.

The biggest "spongers" are the millionaires who are living it up on their superyachts in the Med.

Those who are not working should feel ashamed of that fact when the ultra-
sponging millionaires/billionaires do. And for whom all those working are in servitude due to the ultra-spongers huge buying power.

Get away with doing as little as you can is what I say. If the wheels come off the cart then perhaps a more rational system of social and economic organisation could be ushered in.

jesus
H
tapdancing
christ

Ulysses Gaze

Originally Posted by coolemon
The problem is capitalism.

Hunter-gatherer societies, despite not having any great productive capacity or technology, spent something like five times less time working to produce their requirements and needs.

Here today, with robots, mass production and advanced agricultural methods, we not only have people working longer than they have done so for much of human history, but we have people starving to death and living in grinding poverty.

Capitalism needs people to constantly work, spend, work, spend, work, spend, work. Otherwise the wheels of profit would come off the cart. And this is one reason why rather than the working day decreasing in accordance with the ever growing productive capacity, that they have been steady or increasing.

The biggest "spongers" are the millionaires who are living it up on their superyachts in the Med.

Those who are not working should feel ashamed of that fact when the ultra-
sponging millionaires/billionaires do. And for whom all those working are in servitude due to the ultra-spongers huge buying power.

Get away with doing as little as you can is what I say. If the wheels come off the cart then perhaps a more rational system of social and economic organisation could be ushered in.

What is the alternative to Capitalism? Communism? A system that has not, and will never, work.

monkeysnapper

I agree with everybody in this thread........can I get some thanks please.


Life is a lemon and I want my money back

coolemon

Playboy wrote: »

Also nothing stopping anyone making millions... Just takes some talent, brains and hard work.

Says who? You?

The reality is very different.

coolemon

Ulysses Gaze wrote: »

What is the alternative to Capitalism? Communism? A system that has not, and will never, work.

What is Communism?

The term means many things. None of which you have defined.

coolemon

Sitec wrote: »

Yeah Ireland would be in a much better position if nobody worked.

Who said it would?

Ferris_Bueller

Don't think it's fair to criticise the OP, I think a lot of it depends on what age you are. Personally am not looking forward to having to work full time after college, but I understand as you get older you have more of a need for money (house, kids, car, etc.) but tbh right now I am more than happy working my 20 hours a week and enjoying my spare time the rest of the week. The money I earn does me, and while I might not be living the most luxurious lifestyle, I'd rather that right now than be working every day and have minimal time to enjoy myself.

A_Sober_Paddy

Handsome Bob wrote: »

I'm sure that he has and is.

Its actually 3 not 4, that was a mistake, now in fairness his accommodation is sorted everywhere his been...his either crashed on a mates couch or stayed with family of his girlfriend, still tho his been able to go to the FA cup final while on the dole, while I had to work and couldn't even watch the final on the box which made a little sick

Esoteric_

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Its actually 3 not 4, that was a mistake, now in fairness his accommodation is sorted everywhere his been...his either crashed on a mates couch or stayed with family of his girlfriend, still tho his been able to go to the FA cup final while on the dole, while I had to work and couldn't even watch the final on the box which made a little sick

If he's going away that regularly, he's not entitled to the dole and is defrauding the state. You have to be available for, and actively seeking work. How can he be available for work if he's going away so frequently?

Playboy

coolemon wrote: »

Says who? You?

The reality is very different.

Eh? What's that supposed to prove? Social Mobility can be low for many reasons .. Hardly means its not possible does it?

coolemon

Playboy wrote: »

Hardly means its not possible does it?

No, but the fact that there is a clear social trend by which those born to particular socio-economic classes tend to remain in those classes indicates that there is more to it than the codology you spout of having "brains, talent and working hard".

Call Me Jimmy

smcgiff wrote: »

It'll be hard to progress if you are part time. Do you want to be doing the same job in 20 years as you do now?

Would that not be just as likely if he upskilled a got a 'proper' full-time job? A career even, isn't the definition of a career that it's basically the same job your whole adult life? But when you commit to a career you will find it hard to have any gaps in your CV, he can change up his work with minimum fuss the way things are.

SafeSurfer

I work full time. That suits my lifestyle. I have absolutely no problem subsidising people who want to live a different life, involving travel or creativity etc. I think it is important to maintain the rich fabric of society. If we lived in a society where everyone worked full time jobs we might as well all wear uniforms.

dissed doc

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

So been working full time for 6 weeks now and all I've got to say about it is... that it totally sucks...

Why in the name of superman(or buddha/god/who or whatever you believe in) would someone do a full time job, I was working part time and it was grand was making enough money to cover myself and save some, but then a full time position became available and i took it:o Taking the full time job is starting to feel like a serious mistake. I've had to pretty much give a lot of things I really enjoy:mad:

Trying to get to the gym, train and eat properly is genuinely difficult never mind having some time to relax. At times I'm finding myself missing my life as a dolee(cycling 300km a week & gym 3-4 times a week) or even as a part timer(less cycling & gym 3-4 times a week).

I think people who rag on the dolee's on here are doing because they are jealous, cause the dolee's have the right idea...

I've a few mates on the dole, one trains all he wants and is always doing different things, the other is off on his 4 holiday of the year already(yes thats 4 trips abroad since January)

/rant

In Ireland you can certainly do that, because Ireland is a socialist left-winger wet-dream. And that is a big reason why there is a no industry, money, work ethic or reward for people who actually work in Ireland.

April O Neill

Playboy wrote: »

Also nothing stopping anyone making millions... Just takes some talent, brains and hard work.

Well, the bolded bits preclude a lot of people from making millions!

Playboy

coolemon wrote: »

No, but the fact that there is a clear social trend by which those born to particular socio-economic classes tend to remain in those classes indicates that there is more to it than the codology you spout of having "brains, talent and working hard".

Lol it's called inheritance and parents installing values in their children such as hard work and the importance of education. There are countless stories of people moving through the socio-economic classes over many generations. Unfortunately if your parents don't value hard work and education then you are at a disadvantage but people can only use that crutch for so long. Education is free... And ambition costs nothing. Wallowing in self pity as to where you are in your life is the surest way to make sure you don't move forward. I know plenty of self made people... You know what the one thing they all had in common? Just plain and simple attitude.

Playboy

April O Neill wrote: »

Well, the bolded bits preclude a lot of people from making millions!

Lol... Well I'm from a school of thought that everyone has some talent and while we don't have an equal amount of brains, we all do have some! Plenty of stupid millionaires about!

TheBegotten

As someone who hasn't worked a day in his life due to mollycoddling child labour laws and none of my uncles owning some sort of business, I'm DYING to get into the labour pool. I just can't comprehend why someone would purposely do nothing (or very little) withh their lives. No job, no kids, no reason for anybody to remember you after you've kicked the bucket.

dobman88

Playboy wrote: »

Lol it's called inheritance and parents installing values in their children such as hard work and the importance of education. There are countless stories of people moving through the socio-economic classes over many generations. Unfortunately if your parents don't value hard work and education then you are at a disadvantage but people can only use that crutch for so long. Education is free... And ambition costs nothing. Wallowing in self pity as to where you are in your life is the surest way to make sure you don't move forward. I know plenty of self made people... You know what the one thing they all had in common? Just plain and simple attitude.

How is education free??? Every school requires a "contribution" and the cost of uniforms/books are crazy. 3rd level college fees are sky high as are the rent fees in the cities and towns with colleges. Any1 who CHOOSES a life on the dole is just lazy and will never have any motivation to better themselves being handed money

SafeSurfer

TheBegotten wrote: »

As someone who hasn't worked a day in his life due to mollycoddling child labour laws and none of my uncles owning some sort of business, I'm DYING to get into the labour pool. I just can't comprehend why someone would purposely do nothing (or very little) withh their lives. No job, no kids, no reason for anybody to remember you after you've kicked the bucket.

Like Hitler, (sorry for Godwinning).

jobeenfitz

TheBegotten wrote: »

As someone who hasn't worked a day in his life due to mollycoddling child labour laws and none of my uncles owning some sort of business, I'm DYING to get into the labour pool. I just can't comprehend why someone would purposely do nothing (or very little) withh their lives. No job, no kids, no reason for anybody to remember you after you've kicked the bucket.

Ah ye, we should make sure we are well remembered and have a big funeral. Thats what life is all about.

looking_around

I think the problem is living in a society where one needs to work 40 hours a week + 10 hours commute (for the majority 1 hour there, 1 hr back).
Its a crazy amount of time just to live... and at the end of it, how much have you really lived?

I physically can't do full-time. I crack. The exhaustion is unbearable, I don't know how people do it. I understand why. I just don't know how.
But then, with more cases of road rage and stress related illness every year, maybe those people actually can't? I don't know.

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

If people see working full-time as a waste of life, and a social construction while there are babies starving ,

Those starving isn't because some people aren't working full-time, >.> they're starving because those who have, don't share ..but communism doesn't work anyway.

the_syco

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Trying to get to the gym, train and eat properly is genuinely difficult never mind having some time to relax. At times I'm finding myself missing my life as a dolee(cycling 300km a week & gym 3-4 times a week) or even as a part timer(less cycling & gym 3-4 times a week).

Do you find it easier to pay rent than before?

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

I think people who rag on the dolee's on here are doing because they are jealous, cause the dolee's have the right idea...

Mostly it's friends and families who shop them, probably after getting sick of them doing sfa!

zenno

After reading this thread I have to say... There is nothing like being free, 'completely free', no kids, no mortgage, no debt, no struggling to pay off bankers, absolutely nothing in regards to any of these stresses, Just free to enjoy life to it's fullest. Life is short.

Luckily for me personally at this time, I have the world in my hands and can move freely through this world without the boxed in problems above.

The world is my oyster.

I'm a man of freedom, to do everything i wish when i wish with no attachments whatsoever. It's great to be completely free.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nTGHMOuV8A

nocoverart

Is OP from Liverpool?

EDIT: OP is from Limerick, even more tragic!

mickrock

"I think that there is far too much work done in the world, that immense harm is caused by the belief that work is virtuous, and that what needs to be preached in modern industrial countries is quite different from what always has been preached ..."

"... the road to happiness and prosperity lies in the organised diminuation of work."

In Praise of Idleness
Bertrand Russell, 1932

MagnusDamm

Now theres a troll if I ever seen one.

A_Sober_Paddy

MagnusDamm wrote: »

Now theres a troll if I ever seen one.

nocoverart wrote: »

Is OP from Liverpool?

EDIT: OP is from Limerick, even more tragic!

Firstly I'm not lazy, the reason I hate working full time is because I'd prefer to spent more of my time be active outside, cycling, walking, running, playing soccer etc... This is a preference for me, I know a lot of people who aren't employed and sit at home all day, I know people who work full time jobs who do nothing but work, drink and watch tv(that to me is lazy).

I don't have any financial commitments outside the cost of putting a roof over my head and feeding myself...

I also never said I would quit my job to go on the dole, I was just stating that a part of me misses being on the dole because of all the spare time i had, but I'd have just as much working part time...

I think too many people in this country are hungry for money, I was once like that and then I had an awful experience and now try not do things that I don't like or have to do, if they make me feel unhappy

Freddy Smelly

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

So been working full time for 6 weeks now and all I've got to say about it is... that it totally sucks...

Why in the name of superman(or buddha/god/who or whatever you believe in) would someone do a full time job, I was working part time and it was grand was making enough money to cover myself and save some, but then a full time position became available and i took it:o Taking the full time job is starting to feel like a serious mistake. I've had to pretty much give a lot of things I really enjoy:mad:

Trying to get to the gym, train and eat properly is genuinely difficult never mind having some time to relax. At times I'm finding myself missing my life as a dolee(cycling 300km a week & gym 3-4 times a week) or even as a part timer(less cycling & gym 3-4 times a week).

I think people who rag on the dolee's on here are doing because they are jealous, cause the dolee's have the right idea...

I've a few mates on the dole, one trains all he wants and is always doing different things, the other is off on his 4 holiday of the year already(yes thats 4 trips abroad since January)

/rant

if everyone signed on and noone worked where would the dole office get it's money to pay your dole? oh wait there would be no dole cos if everyone signed on there would be no dole office staff

Playboy

looking_around wrote: »

Those starving isn't because some people aren't working full-time, >.> they're starving because those who have, don't share ..but communism doesn't work anyway.

That's a novel way of looking at things! So tell me why the people who do work should share the profits of their labour with people who choose not to? Something for nothing, that's what you want is it? Lol people really do live on another planet...

pickarooney

Timistry wrote: »

Its a crazy situation when working full time is seen as a bad thing. Things can change very quickly in life and people need to think ahead and try and plan for the unseen. You may be glad of a full time job in the future due to another economic crisis in europe or beyond. If you have the facility to save now, I would advise you do. God knows if you will even have a state pension when you retire....

Im living in Perth at the moment and a 40 hour week sounds like a holiday to me. Im doing 50 hours a week standard and up to 60 hours every second week and im on 24/7 call 2 weeks in every 7 on top of this. Not to mention after-hour emails etc. I cant even find the time to go to the bank or do other important things, not to mind the gym or cycling. Only had 2 days holidays since January because I need to save them for Christmas (and the 2500eu for flights...) thus 4 trips abroad since january sounds excessive to me

You've just described in detail why working full time could be seen as a bad thing...

Jonny7

looking_around wrote: »

I think the problem is living in a society where one needs to work 40 hours a week + 10 hours commute (for the majority 1 hour there, 1 hr back).
Its a crazy amount of time just to live... and at the end of it, how much have you really lived?

You are living in the easiest period in history, with the highest standard of living, the most options and opportunities, equality and diversity.

In your spare time you can learn a trade, teach yourself to code webpages, study an MIT course for free, a thousand things.. you can use any of this to help you find a job you enjoy doing, or self employment, or take a FAS course, or work abroad in a country you love, there is literally no excuse

Playboy

Playboy wrote: »

Lol it's called inheritance and parents installing values in their children such as hard work and the importance of education. There are countless stories of people moving through the socio-economic classes over many generations. Unfortunately if your parents don't value hard work and education then you are at a disadvantage but people can only use that crutch for so long. Education is free... And ambition costs nothing. Wallowing in self pity as to where you are in your life is the surest way to make sure you don't move forward. I know plenty of self made people... You know what the one thing they all had in common? Just plain and simple attitude.

I like the rest of your post, but no it isn't. Education is really expensive.

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Forget about the whole "you chose to have kids/a mortgage/car etc" argument (which is true in fairness) - what I find gas about this thread and some of the replies is the idea that the dole is or can be a "lifestyle choice"

The dole is there as a TEMPORARY support mechanism to help people who lose their jobs until they find another. Although there ARE people who think they can just sit on their ass instead, that's not what it is intended for and these people should be cut down to the bare minimum of support (paid in vouchers/directly to their landlord or bank etc)

It'd be funny watching some people here trying to defend/justify this idea if it wasn't for the fact that these people are actually serious! :rolleyes:

I just can't fathom having such a sense of entitlement. Seriously thinking you're entitled to live off the State because you just don't feel like working. I met one of these 'dole is a lifestyle choice' idiots in the pub last night. He said there was nothing wrong with opting out of working and getting a council house and the dole instead of being an 'automaton' who has been 'brainwashed' into thinking you have to work...of course when I asked what would happen if everyone in the country thought like that, he went very quiet, as they always do. It takes a special kind of thick person not to understand that dole as a lifestyle choice only exists because of the 'automatons' who take responsibility for themselves and don't just take, take, take.

I respect people who go for the 'alternative lifestyle' when they fund it themselves. If you want to build yourself a treehouse and forage for food and spend your day reading, more power to you. But if you expect to 'opt out of society' on the back of other people's hard work, you're a pathetic scrounger.

Shenshen

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Firstly I'm not lazy, the reason I hate working full time is because I'd prefer to spent more of my time be active outside, cycling, walking, running, playing soccer etc... This is a preference for me, I know a lot of people who aren't employed and sit at home all day, I know people who work full time jobs who do nothing but work, drink and watch tv(that to me is lazy).

I don't have any financial commitments outside the cost of putting a roof over my head and feeding myself...

I also never said I would quit my job to go on the dole, I was just stating that a part of me misses being on the dole because of all the spare time i had, but I'd have just as much working part time...

I think too many people in this country are hungry for money, I was once like that and then I had an awful experience and now try not do things that I don't like or have to do, if they make me feel unhappy

If you enjoy outdoors and being active, there are tons of jobs that would cater to that.
Why not do one of them?

Jonny7

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Firstly I'm not lazy, the reason I hate working full time is because I'd prefer to spent more of my time be active outside, cycling, walking, running, playing soccer etc... This is a preference for me, I know a lot of people who aren't employed and sit at home all day, I know people who work full time jobs who do nothing but work, drink and watch tv(that to me is lazy).

I don't have any financial commitments outside the cost of putting a roof over my head and feeding myself...

I also never said I would quit my job to go on the dole, I was just stating that a part of me misses being on the dole because of all the spare time i had, but I'd have just as much working part time...

I think too many people in this country are hungry for money, I was once like that and then I had an awful experience and now try not do things that I don't like or have to do, if they make me feel unhappy

The dole is there for those who can't find work, not for those who don't "feel" like supporting themselves.

It's not supposed to be a choice.

and for the love of god shut up with this "preference" crap, I'd much rather be out enjoying myself, mountain biking, than working, everyone would, you don't have some special condition.. you're just too lazy to work.

Get a job in a gym, become a PE teacher, a rock climbing instructor.. plenty of options to work and stay fit

jaysus

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

TBH I've no plans on ever having any dependents, and I've pretty always been very careful and wise with my money

Somebody who aspires to sponge off society does not have the right to claim they are wise or careful.

Marvin Raspy Sprinkler wrote: »

Somebody made up work, its not a natural state for a human....think of this, 20,000 kids die every day from hunger related causes but people think their doing the right thing making some widget that no one really needs...the world is mental so don't bother playing by its rules

If you can self sustain, then you don't need to work. Are you able to provide for yourself, food, water, energy while still abiding by the law? It's not impossible, but it's damn difficult.

rox5

Quit your job, so that maybe someone who might really need it could take it instead. Not really fair to have a rant about this, when there are people out there still struggling to find any type of job and would love to have yours.

Agricola

Jonny7 wrote: »

The dole is there for those who can't find work, not for those who don't "feel" like supporting themselves.

It's not supposed to be a choice.

and for the love of god shut up with this "preference" crap, I'd much rather be out enjoying myself, mountain biking, than working, everyone would, you don't have some special condition.. you're just too lazy to work.

Get a job in a gym, become a PE teacher, a rock climbing instructor.. plenty of options to work and stay fit

jaysus

I think you're missing his point. Personal trainers, PE teachers etc work in full time jobs like everyone else. They must be there at 9am and if they're lucky finish at 5. Unless it's a teacher, theres probably plenty of Saturday work. Its a commitment of a large chunk of their time that they are giving to other people. They arent free to do and go where they like the majority of the time. He's talking about having more of your own spare time which would allow him to concentrate on his own interests. That is something thats difficult when you're in the rat race.

As long as you can support yourself, theres nothing wrong with reducing work hours to allow more time for actually living. Full time work (even if its shovelling shít) has attained a mythical status and its one of the primary ways people are categorised. People who live to work are better people than those who dont share that philosophy. Those people are lazy and feckless. Bollocks. Ok if you want to live on the dole, thats true, but theres more than 2 types of people in the world, workaholics and dolees.

Legs.Eleven

I teach English to adults in Madrid and I have a couple of high-achieving friends who have a (gentle) go at me sometimes for not doing more with my life. I work about 25 hours a week from Monday to Thursday (3 day weekend) and on a good month, I earn 1500 after tax, which is a very decent salarly for Spain (bank employees earn less than I do, for example. Most of my students earn less than that.). Unfortunately most months are not that good and I´m unemployed in the Summer for about a month and a half (although this is going to change next year as I´m doing another teaching qualification soon) but I still have enough money to do everything I want, pay bills, rent, buy food and not scrimp. I´d say I come out with about 13,500 a year after tax and bar the Summer, I do grand.

Work-related stress is not something I´ve ever experienced, no pain-in-the-arse colleagues, no staring at a computer all day, no boss looking over my shoulder and my job involves talking to nice people in my native tongue and getting paid for it. I´m currently sitting in my flat drinking tea till my next class at 2pm. I might even take a little nap.

My friend who sometimes says things like, "You´re not going to teach English forever, are you?" has lost hair from stress although is probably more challenged in her job and earn a lot more than I do. This lifestye suits me and since starting, I told myself it was only temporary until very recently when I had a think about it and decided I´d be stupid to give this up. This job suits me perfectly. I´m living the easy life but still supporting myself. What´s not to love?

If you can survive on a part-time salary and you have no dependents, all that spare time is well worth it imo.