Originally Posted by SamHouston
So you claim you don't define yourself, not even partially, by what you do each day...this thing you do for income that is also a skill you learned or a trade you practice? You claim that it does good for others, but that there is no part of you in it?
You can see why that statement is suspect, can't you?
or, if you agree that people do not define themselves entirely by what they do, but that it is a consideration and an important one, that you do not do so because you find it sad/pathetic? Why?, in order not to seem sad or pathetic yourself, to yourself?
You can see why that doesn't work as well?
Good luck to you if you paint yourself so easily into a corner at whatever it is you do that you're so ashamed of each day. Certainly if you won't allow it to be a part of you at all, yet must spend so much time at it, you must have some difficulty with it?
Why would you believe that a person who enjoys what they do, associates with others who do the same thing and doesn't take the time to lay out for every stranger just who & what they are beyond the task they perform unable to define themselves?
c'mon junior, I've got a can of paint thinner if you can just reach it.
First off there is no need for your condisending attitude and insults. If you'd like to discuss something I'd be more than happy to, if you'd like to throw around insults and an attitude go find someone else to be the focus of your against.
I'm not going to discuss what I do for a living as I don't want to identify myself to strangers on the internet. I'm the only person in Latvia doing the particular thing which I do. It's a skill, not a trade. Helping others is something which is important to me, and I do it in different ways, not just through my work. I love what I do and have absolutely no reason to be ashamed of it. For you to say otherwise is simply dishonest.
Defining one by ones work is a very American way of looking at people. My wife, who is Latvian, was surprised at just how often she was asked what she did for money when she was in America. She's a very down to earth woman who had what would be seen as a high status job in the eyes of Americans. People would be much more friendly and receptive to her when they found out where she worked. Yet to her it was just a job.....
As for people defining themselves via their job it seems to me that most people do this for social standing and recognition. If you feel that work is the most important part of your life and wish to let it define you as a person, go right ahead. I feel much more comfortable in a society where people are defined, and by extension judged, by their individual merits.
I don't care if you are a messenger or a rent-a-cop, what I do care about is how you are as a person.