To wonder if you judge people who work in "crap" jobs, and if so why?

[ReallyThough100]

So, cleaners, dishwashers, fast food workers. Jobs seen as "dead end" and a bit shit. I have a job people think this about, and it often shows unfortunately (outside of work more than in it).
Aibu to ask, do you judge people who do this and what's the reasoning behind it?

I don't judge anyone who works.

I don't judge anyone who works.

I judge ofsted inspectors.

love it!

I work in what people would consider a crap job so I wouldn't judge anyone at all!

No I would never judge anyone for what they do.
Many of these so called ‘dead end jobs’ are absolutely fundamental to society, especially people who empty bins, nurses/care workers - imagine the chaos if they downed tools for a day.
fast food workers - the fast food industry contributes so much to the economy.
Also, some may make fairly good money, I know a friend of my dm has ran her own cleaning business very successfully indeed for years.
The only thing I believe is that minimum wage should be more, people should be paid fairly for what they do and the minimum wage is just not enough.

I don’t judge, but I assume they must be bored and feel frustrated/ resentful to be working their arses off for rubbish money in a dull environment. That said if I come across a really cheerful checkout worker or cleaner always impressed that their job doesn’t get them down.
I only say this because I would not thrive in an uninspiring environment. I don’t think it’s beneath me, or anything like that, it’s just I know I wouldn’t like it.

I’m a bit precious

180 comments and basically everyone has said they wouldn't judge someone in a 'crap' job (one or two people mildly disagreeing based on context, perhaps). Yet people in these jobs clearly do feel judged at many turns. And in keeping with MN's terror of appearing 'common', there was a thread today about where truly genteel keep the fruit bowl (for fuck's sake). Because that kind of thing matters, apparently.

I asked earlier whether a more telling question might be whether you would date someone in a 'crap' job. I still think that's a relevant question. Nobody admits to judging, but how close an association, or impact on one's life, would we truly be prepared to make with someone who has a 'crap' job?

@BitchQueen90, I may be confusing you with someone else but I seem to recall you once said you were a team leader in a retail environment? If that's so, is that considered a 'crap' job? I wouldn't have thought so (with 'crap' defined as it is in this thread, for the sake of argument).

I don’t judge, but I assume they must be bored and feel frustrated/ resentful to be working their arses off for rubbish money in a dull environment.

Ohyesiam You assume wrong; at least for myself and my colleagues (McDonalds workers). We love our jobs; it’s fun and every day is different. It’s about as far away from dull as you can get!

As for being uninspired, it’s not that either; they’re constantly encouraging us to earn our stars, do our e-learning and workbooks; there’s a lot of training, especially if you want to rise up the ladder. The promotional opportunities are excellent.

Nope! I’ve done my fair share of them!
I judge /pity people who do judge though.
I’ve never considered myself “above” any job, and take pride in any job I do. This served me well when I was bullied at work at quit at the peak of the 2009 property crash (work as a property solicitor). I took a customer service job while studying for a masters. It was in the same town I practised in as a solicitor. Several times I was belittled/ignored/ patronised by former clients (who I assume didn’t recognise me in t-shirt rather than power suit). Those same people who lapped up every word of my advice just a few months earlier.

I have my career totally back on track now. But I still don’t see why I should have been treated as “inferior” those years when I took time out and had a low paid job.

Treat everyone with respect.

No, not at all. I might judge people fo DOING a crap job

I can definitely see that McDonald's would have a clear career progression path, which is something that's been lacking in almost every place I've ever worked.

I read on here ''why don't you get a job that pays well'' and I wonder what planet those people live on, so I judge people who are so disconnected from reality that they think you just give up your tenner and hour job and say ''I'll take one of those jobs that pays 30# an hour''

PoorYorick - there's another thread going in relationships (I think) about whether you'd date someone who earned much less than you/wasn't financially successful. Very different mix of answers!

PoorYorick - there's another thread going in relationships (I think) about whether you'd date someone who earned much less than you/wasn't financially successful. Very different mix of answers!

I'm not surprised to hear it.

Another interesting question is how you'd feel if your own adult child was in a 'crap' job for an extended period of time, with no apparent plans to change.

I’ve done all sorts of jobs that some would consider crap. I did a paper round at 13, then had a Saturday job in a shop at 14. But I always enjoyed working and had 3 different part time jobs that fitted around college when I was young. They weren’t paid well but I lived at home so I managed. I never felt judged but that maybe because I was young so people may have thought that it was fine for someone who was still starting out.

I’m a nurse now and as a profession we are judged by the public and the media. The only judgements that matter to me come from my patients. That can be a very positive “you have the patience of a saint” or a back handed compliment “I couldn’t do your job” while I’m wiping their bum. They’d be a bit stuck if no one could do the job though.

I can definitely see that McDonald's would have a clear career progression path, which is something that's been lacking in almost every place I've ever worked.

PoorYorick Yeah, you can’t really just walk in and be a manager; they train people (extensively; it’s one of the best and most respected management courses going) up from the very bottom as you really need the experience.

Our franchise owner who has multiple stores, our regional and area managers - they all started as crew.

No, never. I've been a cleaner and a barmaid; waited tables; handed out leaflets in the street; sold food.

I work in a fairly comfortable professional role now, but I never forget that it would only take one or two bad throws of the dice and I could be looking for a job – any job – again.

One thing that's stuck with me is being an office cleaner while a student. One of the guys often worked late, so I saw him to exchange pleasantries most days. He was quite friendly but a bit patronising. Then one day he came in when I was on my break and studying in the staff kitchen. He asked me what I was up to etc and I could practically see his attitude change as he realised that I was studying and wasn't 'just' the cleaner, or thick, or unambitious, or whatever.

Never judge someone by how they're earning their living.

My husband was a factory worker when I met him and when I married him, it might be thought of as a crap job but he worked 8-4 Monday to Friday so great hours with overtime for the taking. It wasn’t great pay but more than I got as a nurse.

So no it would make no difference to me what job he does as long as he is happy doing it. My family and friends wouldn’t judge someone for earning an honest wage either.

Absolutely, categorically not, and woe betide anyone who does look down on people doing such jobs within my earshot.

I did bar work and waitressing when I was a skint student. I loved it and , not being from a privileged background, I desperately needed the money.

There is respect and dignity in working to support yourself, whatever the work is. There is no dignity in snobbishness.

PoorYorick I posted earlier in the thread I am one of those people with a "crap" job and I get your point. I imagine most people that have ambition and drive wouldn't actively date/look for a future with someone who doesn't match them, like most other things but then people have different qualities that isn't limited to the job they do.

I have the crap job but I do aspire to better things and do tend to date men who are already heading for great careers and are very intelligent, but twist it around they are dating me the person with a crap menial job.

Doing a crap job doesn't equal stupid, non aspirational or whatever. It goes quite deep but yes it's a narrow mind imo for someone to choose who they date solely on their job/career prospects.

If you are doing a job that is legal and ethical ( that second one gives me scope for being judgemental, I realise) to an acceptable level of proficiency, then you have my respect.

I have very little respect for hedge fund managers and most politicians.

I do judge non working people or those that do the magic number of hours (usually sixteen) and let others keep them instead of doing more.

I think this is a really unfair comment. Ok, so people who choose not to work despite being able to is a bit of a drain on public money. It really isn't as big of a problem as the media likes us to think, but I agree that it is morally wrong.

However, some people who work 16 hours in order to qualify for tax credits may not have any other choice. They may have an illness or condition that limits the hours they work and 16 hours is really pushing them to their limits. Because of the eligibility criteria for PIP they don't qualify despite clearly being in pain or discomfort, so they have no choice but to force themselves to work 16 hours in order to survive.

Or they may be a newly divorced single parent who cannot afford a full time job as the childcare costs are astronomical, and there are no 'decent' jobs available with part time hours. The logical choice is to work 16 hours in a menial job and claim tax credits to top up the family income as any other scenario doesn't work or leaves you poorer.

Or, they're studying and relying on tax credits to feed their children while they focus on getting better qualified and increase their employability.

My dp and I rely on benefits to keep us afloat. I hate the idea that people like you are judging us because we do so. Dp works full-time for a charity and he loves it. I'm a self employed gardener and work 16-24 hours a week, depending on how bad my mental health is. I'm autistic, which is never going away, and have had to accept that, despite a degree and being fairly intelligent, I will not be able to function in a high stress full time career. My main role in life right now is to stay well and be a good parent. If I worked more I would break and be no good to anyone and cost the state more.