To feel embarassed/ashamed of what I do for a living?

[Exvagabond]

I'm currently working as a cleaner at £10/hour with an agency in London. I've never cleaned professionally until a few months ago, but I was desperate to find work to support my family.

Whenever someone asks me what I'm doing, I tell them and you can just tell by the look on their face that they don't approve almost as if they feel sorry for me. Why does my job make people uncomfortable?

I dont have to work, my partner supports me but I see it like this;

-My DD (4) gets 30 hours at nursery, socialising with other children and learning what I don't have the time to teach her at home

• I'm bringing money in to the household so that we can put money away for emergencies, a holiday, days out etc.

• I'm putting money in to a private pension

• I'm paying tax

• On top of this I'm a part time student, so I won't do this forever

Why am I scum to some people?

I used to get teased because my Mum was a cleaner, but I was so proud of her and incredibly grateful to her for doing that and bringing in that bit of extra money that paid for treats that have given me fond childhood memories. I then did a little cleaning job when I was a student. Quite enjoyed it really.

Sorry you feel this way - I think what you do is great.

Why be embarrassed? Those judging you are the ones with the issue so hold your head up high! You are doing what you need to give your child a great life, if people didn't need a cleaner then the job wouldn't be there for you.
I work on the adult chat lines (yes sex phone lines) and I'm not embarrassed in the slightest. I provide for my child, put a roof over his head and give him everything he deserves. Nobody has judged me when I tell them (at least not to my face haha) and if they do then I'm not fussed ;)

Please don’t be ashamed, you are supporting your family and that is all that matters. Some people can be petty about what people do, I don’t know why people always seem to have an unwanted opinion! Saying that I am an immigration officer and get a lot of unwanted crappy comments.....

I think people are too quick to judge people who are desperate to support their family in what could be a temporary situation. When u have kids /are a parent anyway even if you are Einstein level genius type clever sometimes you just want a non stressful job. What you are doing is admirable. Don't be ashamed. You should be proud for not sitting on your bum. Own it. You don't need anyones approval or to justify it. Maybe come up with a humourous response "like if I told you that I'd have to kill you , I'm working for a top agency for the governments and I'm not allowed to discuss it. Just call me Janine, Janine Bond, shaken not stirred."

There is absolutely nothing wrong with cleaning. I get your worries though. People do often look down at cleaning as a job and it baffles me. Imo not everyone can do it. Some people are poop at clanging. It’s quite skilled, particularly if cleaning anything grotty.

I used to a clean holiday let near where I live. The owner was so nit picky about it and made you feel like it was never clean enough even if you spent hours on it. Some of the guests must of been really grimy. It was right near a beach so sand everywhere and a rubbish vacuum so I used to take my own. She was very rich and made herself look superior. Yet Where should she have been without a cleaner? She probably had no idea how to clean herself. She started to expect me to take down all the curtains and wash in my own machine for no extra money. I ended up giving it up.

A job is a job.

You certainly aren't scum. How dare they! Sounds like a real contribution to society to me, keeping the place nice and clean, reducing infections and illness from dirt, not to mention paying tax and saving for a pension.

I worked in an off licence round the corner when we needed extra cash and we had little ones. It paid for all sorts of nice little extras, and I got really fit hefting all those crates of beer. Went back to my profession as an IT Engineer when they went to school. Lots of experience gained dealing with people which served me well later.

And when back at work, I employed a cleaner/home help. She came on Tuesdays and it was lovely coming home to a clean house.

Good for you, that's all I can say. You should be proud.

I'd love you to come to mine a few hours a week...cheeky fuckers for looking down on you...your earning £300 a week for your family..tell them to do one 🙂

You certainly aren't scum. How dare they!

'Scum' was complete projection on the OP's part. She hasn't said anyone has actually called her this.

Ive cleaned before, good job to do in the evenings if you got someone to look after your kids, i did it when mine were younger, no shame, its money you earn, it pays for thigns, no shame at all, after all where would offices be if they were not cleaned? filthy dirty, someone has to do the job, its like bin men, they do a job and its a service, without them our streets would be littered with rubbish and we would become ill and sick, and the hospitals would be overgrowded ! no shame in being a cleaner, most of us mums have cleaned for a living, no shame at all , you carry on and do what you are doing, well done you for all you do for your family, they must be so proud of you, take care big hugs christine

I used to be a teacher, but for several personal reasons I left and now I work in a Supermarket. I work extremely hard and quite enjoy my job. My real friends have zero issue with this, but family members are downright snobby. They think I have wasted my education and career. My dad never says what I actually do when asked about my job, he says "she used to be a Teacher". It doesn't bother me much now although I do miss certain aspects of my old teaching job. However, I'm happy and have far more time to spend with my family.

I work in an office and sit on my arse all day. Sometimes I would give anything to give this up and do cleaning!!!

I think you sound amazing. Don’t let people make you feel ashamed or embarrassed. You do your job because you want to, because you have aspirations for the future, because you want to contribute and provide. If you had to do the job to make ends meet and because you had no choice it still wouldn’t matter. You’re doing a job and not expecting others to provide for you. In my opinion that’s brilliant.

Don't be ashamed. You're a legend! BTW, I work in the sector that provides the care and education for your DD, and you get paid more than me!

I thought you were going to say you escorted for a living (which tbh is nothing to be ashamed of either) well I don’t think so anyways.
People are just so judgemental and it’s makes me so angry. Ignore them and continue to be great I find it irritates people far more. I have a cleaner and tbh I couldn’t do without her she makes me life so much easier and it’s not because I’m lazy either it’s just I do not have the time to do all the things I want to do in terms of cleaning in the week because of work. I think your great so just remember that. Who cares what other people think! We spend far to much time caring... don’t! 😊

My mum was a cleaner (or ‘domestic’ as she termed it) guess what? She was always at home for me when I got back from school, took me to football practice, cooked home prepared meals.....etc etc etc......amazing woman and I was proud of her; I always championed her job and choice in life!!!!

Go be proud of what you do for your family because we only get one chance to be there for time and those that belittle you are envious and narrow minded.

I no what it is to have a job that people frown upon. I was a traffic warden and even family members would look down at me for doing it. I was the bread earner for my family, I had enough abuse at work did not need it from family. Your doing a great job don't let small minded people put you down.

Their problem! not yours! Be proud of the fact that you are supporting your family; thinking ahead (pension) AND making where you work a pleasant place to be for those who also use that building!!

I said that YABU to feel embarrassed about what you do. It’s your life and as long as you are happy who cares. Bet you you’re in a better situation than some of those that pass judgement on you. Society nowadays is way too pretentious. Keep your head high in all you do.

I thought you were going to say you were a ' sex-worker' !!!! You are doing a brilliant job and you are supporting your family! There is nothing to be ashamed of!!! Other people are snobs and areseholes!!!

You have a job and aim in life. Thats more than a lot of ppl out there who sit on their arses all day having never looked for any job ....

I had a cleaner when I worked full time, she did such a good job, she made me so happy, don’t be ashamed, I’ve done cleaning as well such satisfaction looking at what you achieved

Nothing wrong with being a cleaner! I used to love the cleaners at the hospital I worked in and the dinner servers! They were some of the loveliest and funniest people I’ve ever met and I preferred them to the colleagues in my own profession!
Ignore narrow minded people would be my opinion. These people can’t see beyond the end of their own nose!

You do an honest days work - you should be proud you are supporting your family. Cleaning is an honest, worthy profession. Hold your head up high!

I did a cleaning job for a while at £ 10 per hour, it was more per hour than I earned working in retail, what would they do without a cleaner, do it themselves.