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What do you think about people that value work just for the sake of work?

billdotson

Junior Member
What do you think about people that value work just for the sake of work?
I'm not talking about people who work hard to pay their bills and support their families, I'm talking about people who are work fanatics and think that making anything easy on themselves (or others) is being lazy.

Take for example someone who already has a job and makes plenty of money. Instead of paying someone else to do his yard work for him (we're assuming that he makes plenty enough to afford this), he insists on doing it himself (or his son if he happens to have one) because he thinks it is "lazy" to have someone else do it.

Another example: Say there is a person who is so dedicated to the thought of being "productive" all the time that he won't take part in any leisure activities (resting, TV, reading, movies, etc.). In addition to that, he also looks at other people with disdain for taking part in "unproductive" activities, as he thinks they're wasting valuable time.

Personally, I can't stand this sort of attitude. To me, work is a means to an end. People work to get money to pay for bills, etc. Some people get a sense of enjoyment and self worth out of work also, but I would guess that for most people they would be just fine not working.

If there is work to be done, then it should be done, but work shouldn't just be made up for the sake of having work to do. I also object to the idea that all of someone's time has to be filled up with "productive" activities. If they've done the things they need to it doesn't matter what they do with their time. If someone personally feels that certain activities are a waste of their time, then that is fine, but don't get into other people's business or look down on them because they are enjoying their leisure time.
 
That's called doing what you love. I have never been so lucky. My mom otoh taught at UCI until her 60s and did not need the money just loved the students. She actually went far and above with her student holding parties at home where she cooked french and German foods (she taught foreign languages) took the them to culture restaurants at end of every semester, brought foreign exchange students to live with us at home etc. Administration got to be PITA so she split but she said she would have taught until she dropped dead.
 
Sounds like my mennonite relatives. the devil finds work for idle hands (or something like that)

Perfectly nice relatives, but not my first choice for kicking back and playing Pokemon with
 
I know some rediculously rich people. I call that kind of behavior in them "not being able to turn it off". It is probably why they are rediculously rich (and divorced or on their nth marriage).

If I won the lottery, I would do very little resembiling work. 😉

MotionMan
 
Some people just love working. It's usually the self-made rich who won't give up work. Their kids usually don't share the same enthusiasm and work ethic.
 
I enjoy my work and would carry on doing it even if I came into a ridiculous amount of money.

I'd rather spend time with my family though so I'd probably cut down my hours.
 
oh i guess i could answer your question...

personally i got no prob with people like this, they like to work? fine, i dont. i do it to survive as well... that doesnt make it wrong to like to to do it... just like it dont make it wrong for tons of people to drink to relax, or smoke pot...
 
What do you think about people that value work just for the sake of work?
I'm not talking about people who work hard to pay their bills and support their families, I'm talking about people who are work fanatics and think that making anything easy on themselves (or others) is being lazy.

Take for example someone who already has a job and makes plenty of money. Instead of paying someone else to do his yard work for him (we're assuming that he makes plenty enough to afford this), he insists on doing it himself (or his son if he happens to have one) because he thinks it is "lazy" to have someone else do it.

Another example: Say there is a person who is so dedicated to the thought of being "productive" all the time that he won't take part in any leisure activities (resting, TV, reading, movies, etc.). In addition to that, he also looks at other people with disdain for taking part in "unproductive" activities, as he thinks they're wasting valuable time.

Personally, I can't stand this sort of attitude. To me, work is a means to an end. People work to get money to pay for bills, etc. Some people get a sense of enjoyment and self worth out of work also, but I would guess that for most people they would be just fine not working.

If there is work to be done, then it should be done, but work shouldn't just be made up for the sake of having work to do. I also object to the idea that all of someone's time has to be filled up with "productive" activities. If they've done the things they need to it doesn't matter what they do with their time. If someone personally feels that certain activities are a waste of their time, then that is fine, but don't get into other people's business or look down on them because they are enjoying their leisure time.

Obsessive/compulsive disorder comes to mind.
 
I think it depends, if the attitude towards work negatively affects relationships with friends and family or instills an unhealthy outlook on life with the children, it might be a problem. Children need to socialize and play. All other things being equal, not that big a deal.
 
I know an executive at my workplace who is known to regularly work 20 hour workdays. He is nationally known in our field and periodically gives interviews to the media. In just about every interview, he brags that he "out works" everyone and that's how he got to the top. Work, work, work!

But on the contrary, I look at the guy and shake my head. I probably sound like a broken record, but if you're regularly working 80+ hours per week, something is seriously wrong especially if you're in his position and you have a large staff under you. "I have to because the work has to get done!" is not an excuse, either. In this guy's case, he micromanages EVERYTHING to the nth degree. Let's see how much he brags about all those 80+ hour work weeks when he is old, alone, and dying.
 
I effectively work two jobs, not because I have to, but as a choice. I enjoy the work I do for the most part, which is an added bonus, but I also have an end in mind. I know the type of people you are refering to. I dated a girl who had a father like this. Millionaire. Did all his own everything. Actually gave me shit when I spent time with his daughter because I wasn't working. I mean, I had people doing my jobs for me, it meant a little less money in my pocket, but still got the job done.
 
I think they should be able to do what they want and you should piss off.

Encouraging lazy work ethic is completely worthless. If they're happy, let them be.
 
I think they should be able to do what they want and you should piss off.

Encouraging lazy work ethic is completely worthless. If they're happy, let them be.

Yeah but those that work for the sake of working like trying to get everyone else to as well... so that simply doesn't work
 
Yeah but those that work for the sake of working like trying to get everyone else to as well... so that simply doesn't work

I work for the sake of working and I don't expect others to. I do enjoy my off time but when I'm at work I like doing my job as best as possible.
 
These people make the country run. it's the idiots on welfare that are destroying this country. I work six days a week. I have a house, a nice car. I work to have nice things.
 
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