Originally Posted by SamHouston
I'll argue where I please buster, if I'm enjoying it. It's not an American trait in the least, you've got that confused with the questionable American practice of judging another's or one's own self worth based entirely on their occupation, and that too happens Everywhere to some degree. People across all cultures have defined themselves to a great degree by what they do, it's how many people came by their family names, and there is probably no stronger evidence than that fact. That in the past people were defined so capably by the contribution they made that they should be called by that job as a given name or surname.
I don't believe for a second you place any stock at all in your earlier statement, what was it?
"Of course they do (have differences), but to get your identity from your job is just plain sad."
If you were immune in a substantial way and really did conduct yourself that way, your work having no inward or outward effect on your superego, you'd be one messed up cat. It'd take a serious dose of disassociation to do something day in & day out and not have that undertaking partially define just who you are, from why you do it, to how you do it and every other aspect. That level of disassociation would be, to say it gently, frightening.
The most probable explanation I can think of for such a silly statement is that this is the internet, where we all gather to type whatever the hell we want, and you though that a clever, ill intended comment without really understanding what you suggested. I just found it particularly ludicrous, and thought it'd be fun to explain why. No need to get your panties in a wad just because you're an *******, it's okay to be an ******* you know. Especially in places like this.
If it bugs you, don't read it, I'm just going on about something you wrote that made no sense at all.
Why do you feel the need to be a prick? It's clear that you don't want to have a reasonable discussion.
I choose to be defined, and define others, by who they are, not what they do for money. It you think that being a messenger gives you identity all the power to you, but is that all that you are? Are you just someone who delivers packages, and chooses to do it on a bicycle?
All this reminds me of a dope dealer I used to know, he was a total loser, had nothing to say, but was identified as a dope dealer, thus he had identity. He was completely defined by what he did for money, not who he was as a person.
Finally, it is much more common in North America to define people by their jobs. I have friends here in Latvia and I have no idea what they do for money, it's just not that important.