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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what jobs people secretly (or not so secretly) look down on and why?

311 replies

ForBreezySloth · 02/07/2025 19:27

We’re always told “all work is valuable” and I do agree in principle, but if we’re honest, most of us have a job or two we side-eye, even if we don’t say it out loud. Is it how people behave in the role? The pay vs attitude? The ethics of the job itself?

AIBU to think it’s okay to admit we have judgements - as long as we’re willing to examine them?

OP posts:
Noshadowsinthedark · 02/07/2025 19:42

Pyramid schemes. It’s not (usually) really a job at all.

Smartiepants79 · 02/07/2025 19:41

Being a YouTube ‘influencer’
Being a z-list celebrity. Basically jobs that aren’t actually jobs and nothing positive to society.

Yogabearmous · 02/07/2025 19:40

Only fans. God it’s grim.

Dullasfuck · 02/07/2025 19:40

Not look down on as such but I'm mystified why bankers and the like earn so much money when their impact is minimal when other professions which are much worse paid, such as childcare, teachers, cleaners, have a tangible benefit but are paid less.

Original poster
ForBreezySloth · 02/07/2025 19:39

user1492538376 · 02/07/2025 19:33

No not really - most people have to earn a living even if their job isn't something I would like - only immoral stuff I would look down on.

Do you think people who have jobs that are ‘less than’ are ‘less than’ people too?

Not at all - I don’t think people are “less than” because of their job. That’s exactly why I said examining our judgements is important. We can all have knee-jerk reactions or assumptions (about pay, attitude, status etc) but the point is to notice them, not act like they make us better. I think pretending no one has these thoughts can be more dangerous than acknowledging and unpacking them.

OP posts:
yakkity · 02/07/2025 19:39

It’s amazing that most people I come across in the world have some degree of judgement or snobbery yet on MN people are saints

GoldDuster · 02/07/2025 19:38

"influencers", YouTubers, anyone involved in the trafficking of sex workers, Tory politicians.

MindBodySoul · 02/07/2025 19:36

Influencers and reality tv people

Middletoleft · 02/07/2025 19:34

I can't think of any tbh. Prostitutes/Myfans workers maybe. Not looking down on but would be embarrassed to admit to.

user1492538376 · 02/07/2025 19:33

No not really - most people have to earn a living even if their job isn't something I would like - only immoral stuff I would look down on.

Do you think people who have jobs that are ‘less than’ are ‘less than’ people too?

creakingwheels · 02/07/2025 19:30

None really. Well, executives in the porn industry I guess. So someone in a job I regard as deeply immoral and would rather is illegal.