Why do people look down in those with low skilled jobs?

[GenuineMan90]

Why are people like this towards them? I get the impression that they think they're too dumb to do anything else. Most people I've seen are quite clever and could much better jobs.

Because the phrase “manual work” isn’t used to describe what a skilled craftsman does.

But you knew that.

Manual work is work done using the hands. What do you think a skilled craftsperson uses?

As with you, @SashaMannDeservedBetter , I can’t do stress and have huge anxiety.

2 x degrees and working in low-paid admin currently. Had to leave post grad due to mh issues.

And actually, I don’t mind the stigma of my role that much- it’s useful experience for other jobs and some colleagues are incredible, it’s mainly the low pay issue that I’m concerned with atm! I just can’t get a mortgage on 23ish k so looking for alternative work.

I met an ex-solicitor the other day who is now working as a TA/carer, and has never been happier.

They do it because they take it for granted that people will do these jobs. Then suddenly when they go on strike or quit due to shit pay people suddenly realise how important these jobs are. Instead of suddenly valuing them people are more likely to mouth off even more.

Why should there be 'lower-paid jobs'? If the surgeon and the road sweeper both do a good job for 40 hours, for instance, why shouldn't people respect that and why aren't they being paid exactly the same?

People look down on others because it helps them to feel good about themselves. I don't think all people look down on others but some do and it's usually because of financial reasons. Some folk think that if they ride around in big cars with their initials on them that is because they are more important than others, just a little bit more loved by the God they don't believe in, on the quiet.

Stop digging. An options trader or a surgeon uses their hands too, and also aren’t doing manual work.

I don’t know if that’s really true. If the hospital cleaners walked out the nursing and surgical staff have the skills to step in, but the opposite way round wouldn’t work.

If the guy driving the transport for McLaren F1 left another could be found relatively easily, whereas if Lewis Hamilton did the team would struggle.

I spend most of my day at my laptop…. Operating it with my hands. Or in meetings, writing notes with my hands. Do I do manual work?

The thing is, most "low skilled" jobs aren't low skilled. They're low paid.

"Flipping burgers", for example - it needs a lot more skill than people realise. Keeping stuff at the right temps, knowing how to use the grills, remembering how to make all the various burgers and what goes on each one. Practicing good food hygiene. Hitting targets and times.

No, I don't believe there are low skilled jobs, just low paid one that people look down on.

Apparently so. We are all, it seems, in manual work now, except that lady with no arms who paints using her feet.

And your contention then is that a brain surgeon is no more skilled than the person who holds the Stop / Go sign at roadworks?

There is a massive difference from typing stuff on a laptop to building a wall, or fixing a car. I think anyone who is basically literate and knows how to use a laptop can do that sort of work. Building stuff, or fixing a car or whatever takes a certain skill set that most people just don't have. Look at how many people struggle with basic DIY or car maintenance.

Office work is lower skilled than the manual trades imo.

That's not what I said. Read it again.

You have literally no idea, do you? Do you even know what, for example, a COO of a company is responsible for?

I agree with this, it's what I've experienced in social care and hospitality. Lack of staff causing poor service - shout at those trying to get the job done anyway, most people absolutely know it won't make any difference because those workers can change nothing, yet do it anyway - because it gives them a sense of importance, they're frustrated and they have someone in front of them who can't stand up for themselves and the temptation is too much. A form of bullying really.

People rely upon and simultaneously mock certain jobs, and as @upinaballoon says, I think it's to make themselves feel better, feel more important, have more power.

You're making a big generalisation, one that isn't helpful. Some poeple look down on others for all sorts of reasons, the problem isn't with those they loko down on but with the person who is doing the looking down.

I know who is more likely to be a member of Golgafrinchan Ark Fleet Ship B (hint it isn't the builder).
m.youtube.com/watch?v=fMoPR2IA2Uk

Yes, I do. Chief Operating Officer. Second in command to the CEO and in charge of keeping everything running.

It's interesting how you instantly decided that me saying it was lower skilled meant the work wasn't worthy. And let's face it, 98% of office staff aren't at the C level.

It's not a value judgement though - in my opinion, most manual tradespeople are more skilled than office workers of an equivalent level. You can search how to do a function on a spreadsheet or how to use a certain program but I'd be a bit worried if people putting up houses had to search how to build a wall or how to fit a door.

try being a domestic in the NHS. You are treated far better than what we are/were (and paid better)

Are people like that? I don't - and I don't think my friends and family do. If the pandemic has taught us anything it's tat life is for living now - we don't know what's to come tomorrow so I would never question someone's work choices - perhaps only if they complain about their work and I know that don't have to do that job I may think do something else then

And again, this is so ignorant that it’s hard to know where to start. What job do you do?

It's annoying, isn't it, when people say your role is low skilled?

I'm a published author, work as a housekeeper in a private home, and work in McDonald's.

But I've done loads of things, which includes office work. I do know what it entails. I'm making a point about people judging roles when they don't really know what they involve. Though generally that's towards fast food staff, cleaners, care workers, manual roles like bin men and such.

So you are deriding the skill needed for jobs that you haven’t done. What a surprise.

And yes, the jobs that you describe are unskilled or semi-skilled. It’s actually pretty telling that you think that literally grilling the burgers on McDonalds is a skilled job.

This is quite interesting. I think because people doing ‘menial’ jobs are seen as easily replaceable.

yesterday I was discussing a payrise for one of my assistants, I’ve completely overhauled a process which makes the task an admin task now, anybody could do it and it doesn’t take long anymore. My boss said well it won’t be a huge payrise. I shrugged and said, we’ll that’s up to you and totally dependant on how important you think getting x done is. Because without my assistant x won’t get done, and I don’t see people in the company happily continuing to work without that function fulfilled, I mean would you be?
so anyway assistant is getting a decent payrise.

I'm a cleaner in a care home. I've got a degree in ancient history and Roman archaeology, I've managed National Trust properties, run nightclubs and pubs, and then at 26 met a man who forced me into adultwork and brothels, and it's taken me a long time to get over that- so now I like an easy life without any responsibility. I go to work, do my thing, go home. I don't want a fancy career. I'm happy with the life I've got because at one point I had nothing.
I don't tell anyone about my past and it's interesting to see how I'm treated by some people who really do think I'm beneath them and that I must be thick as two short planks.