A universal truth about work

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
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manolo
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A universal truth about work

Post by manolo »

Folks,

The other day I was talking with a young Portuguese girl in a nearby market town. She was helping her parents to run a small cafe, and they did not have such good English; hers was perfect.

Anyway, I mentioned that I was once involved in student/work exchanges between Spain and England. I said that the kids from rich families were not good with the hotel work (just wanting the English practice really) and the poor kids were very good at the work and gained a lot from it when returning to Spain.

She said “It's always the same. The poor work hard because they have a hard life, like me, but the rich kids have had life easy and they can't cope with the work.”

Now, I'm suspicious of universal claims, but so often I have heard this same sentiment, in many different countries, that maybe it is a generality. Yes, there will be exceptions, but is there at least a grain of truth in her words?

Alex.
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Endovelico
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Re: A universal truth about work

Post by Endovelico »

manolo wrote:Folks,

The other day I was talking with a young Portuguese girl in a nearby market town. She was helping her parents to run a small cafe, and they did not have such good English; hers was perfect.

Anyway, I mentioned that I was once involved in student/work exchanges between Spain and England. I said that the kids from rich families were not good with the hotel work (just wanting the English practice really) and the poor kids were very good at the work and gained a lot from it when returning to Spain.

She said “It's always the same. The poor work hard because they have a hard life, like me, but the rich kids have had life easy and they can't cope with the work.”

Now, I'm suspicious of universal claims, but so often I have heard this same sentiment, in many different countries, that maybe it is a generality. Yes, there will be exceptions, but is there at least a grain of truth in her words?

Alex.
Many (most?) rich kids have learned at home that work is something you pay other people to do... Which leaves you free to do the really important stuff... Thinking about it, would there have been so many great Greek philosophers if there were no slaves to do the essential work?...
Simple Minded

Re: A universal truth about work

Post by Simple Minded »

It almost makes one feel sorry for the children of the wealthy, does it not?

How many will never know the sense of the sense of controlling one's destiny, the process of self-actualization, or the simple joy of serving while they are "working?"

Lack of adversity during one's first 30 years can be a terrible curse.
manolo
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Re: A universal truth about work

Post by manolo »

Endovelico wrote: Many (most?) rich kids have learned at home that work is something you pay other people to do... Which leaves you free to do the really important stuff... Thinking about it, would there have been so many great Greek philosophers if there were no slaves to do the essential work?...
Endo,

Interesting that you mention philosophers. A rich kid at Uni once offered to pay me to do his philosophy dissertation for him.

Alex.
manolo
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Re: A universal truth about work

Post by manolo »

Simple Minded wrote:It almost makes one feel sorry for the children of the wealthy, does it not?

How many will never know the sense of the sense of controlling one's destiny, the process of self-actualization, or the simple joy of serving while they are "working?"

Lack of adversity during one's first 30 years can be a terrible curse.
SM,

Innovative thinking. Giving rich kids the life advantages you describe sounds like a win/win for all concerned. :)

Alex.
noddy
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Re: A universal truth about work

Post by noddy »

i could easily split the poor into the hardworking and gypsy minimalist groups.
i could also easily split the rich into the entitled and calvanistic groups.

as for the exact percentages of each that would end up in my artificial categories, it depends on my mood and the area of australia i concentrate on .

so, dunno.
ultracrepidarian
Simple Minded

Re: A universal truth about work

Post by Simple Minded »

manolo wrote:
Simple Minded wrote:It almost makes one feel sorry for the children of the wealthy, does it not?

How many will never know the sense of the sense of controlling one's destiny, the process of self-actualization, or the simple joy of serving while they are "working?"

Lack of adversity during one's first 30 years can be a terrible curse.
SM,

Innovative thinking. Giving rich kids the life advantages you describe sounds like a win/win for all concerned. :)

Alex.
alex,

I really don't think it is innovative thinking on my part. More like cause & effect, karma, cosmic justice, or God has a wicked sense of humor. I think (or hope?) it may be the fourth option.

As someone noted long ago, "the surest way to make life hard for your children is to try to make it easy for them."

Perhaps, better yet, the fifth option, people reap what they sow, and spoiled children are one of life's most perfect instruments of justice.

POS parents screw up more lives than religious zealots, atheists, socialists, capitalists, right-wingers, and left-wingers combined. A lot of those POS parents are upper middle class or even wealthy.

Swweeeeet! :)

Darwin underestimated the psychological aspect of stupidity.
manolo
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Re: A universal truth about work

Post by manolo »

noddy wrote:..... it depends on my mood and the area of australia i concentrate on .
noddy,

The girl that I talked with was from Portugal and her family were working in England. However, I suspect that her words (if true) might apply in other parts of the world.

Alex.
manolo
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Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:46 pm

Re: A universal truth about work

Post by manolo »

Simple Minded wrote: ...cause & effect
SM,

Indeed. Your words remind me of an old saying.

"It's the rich wot get the pleasure and the poor wot get the blame. Ain't it all a bloomin shame!" :)

Alex.
Simple Minded

Re: A universal truth about work

Post by Simple Minded »

manolo wrote:
Simple Minded wrote: ...cause & effect
SM,

Indeed. Your words remind me of an old saying.

"It's the rich wot get the pleasure and the poor wot get the blame. Ain't it all a bloomin shame!" :)

Alex.
Makes one wonder why so many think more wealth will make them happier.
manolo
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Re: A universal truth about work

Post by manolo »

Simple Minded wrote:
manolo wrote:
Simple Minded wrote: ...cause & effect
SM,

Indeed. Your words remind me of an old saying.

"It's the rich wot get the pleasure and the poor wot get the blame. Ain't it all a bloomin shame!" :)

Alex.
Makes one wonder why so many think more wealth will make them happier.
SM,

There is a direct causal link between the pleasure and the blame.

It's not the wealth alone that gives the pleasure, it's blaming those without wealth that gives the pleasure. :) That's the sweet spot.

Alex.
Simple Minded

Re: A universal truth about work

Post by Simple Minded »

manolo wrote:
SM,

There is a direct causal link between the pleasure and the blame.

It's not the wealth alone that gives the pleasure, it's blaming those without wealth that gives the pleasure. :) That's the sweet spot.

Alex.
This sound like a personal predilection, I like blaming tall people some times, fat people other times, and parents most of the time, for all the world's problems.

don't get me started on tall, fat, parents..... they are usually either Zionists or Oligarchs. :)
manolo
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Re: A universal truth about work

Post by manolo »

Simple Minded wrote:
manolo wrote:
SM,

There is a direct causal link between the pleasure and the blame.

It's not the wealth alone that gives the pleasure, it's blaming those without wealth that gives the pleasure. :) That's the sweet spot.

Alex.
This sound like a personal predilection, I like blaming tall people some times, fat people other times, and parents most of the time, for all the world's problems.

don't get me started on tall, fat, parents..... they are usually either Zionists or Oligarchs. :)
SM,

An observation does not have to be a predilection, although folks do tend to notice things that interest them. Being interested does not mean liking though.

Alex.
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Torchwood
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Re: A universal truth about work

Post by Torchwood »

I once had an interesting conversation with a private banker, who said that his job mainly consisted of abnormal psychology and conflict resolution, the finance bit was easy.

He specialised in the "third generation problem" in family owned firms.

The first generation built the business, the second consolidated it, the third became playboys or wanted to find themselves artistically.

The third generation play an important social function in making sure that the money goes around, and others get a chance.
Simple Minded

Re: A universal truth about work

Post by Simple Minded »

Torchwood wrote:I once had an interesting conversation with a private banker, who said that his job mainly consisted of abnormal psychology and conflict resolution, the finance bit was easy.

He specialised in the "third generation problem" in family owned firms.

The first generation built the business, the second consolidated it, the third became playboys or wanted to find themselves artistically.

The third generation play an important social function in making sure that the money goes around, and others get a chance.
Your banker friend's experience correlates well with what I have observed. Parents seem to be the ultimate cause of much of culture.
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