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 worked as a cleaner during my gap year before uni to save money. I really enjoyed the job - I enjoyed the satisfaction of cleaning and given that it was quite physical it was almost like a mini workout, if it paid more I’d do it now. I think I’d be looking at you with slight envy...after all you have this stress free job, you’re a student and a mum.

Slightly different perspective on this. I once shared a horse where three of the women kept horses and were all cleaners. Horse owners are assumed to be posh! Join their posh club!

Good for you. It seems very unfair to me that the jobs that are often the hardest work and least pleasant don’t pay well. To me a good cleaner is worth their weight in gold. I would never look down on someone fulfilling such a useful and worthwhile role. People that do are snobs who are not worth bothering with.

Lovely post about your mum Lincolnfield

I used to have this when I worked in a supermarket. People make assumptions about you based on your job and I think it always says more about them than you.

I am 71 and I do cleaning for elderly people believe me You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. Continue whatever you need to do to support your family ❤️

YABU to worry what other people think.

There is absolutely no shame in this. The most important thing is that doing an honest job sets an excellent example for your daughter and is helping with current family expenses and your retirement. Don't let the snobbery of others make you feel ashamed

I haven't read the whole thread, but please don't be embarrassed about working as a cleaner. It is not the most glamorous job I don't suppose, but it is incredibly important. As a doctor who works primarily in theatre and intensive care I think our cleaning staff are vital. They are an integral part of our team and we wouldn't get the good outcomes that we do for our patients without them doing their job as well as they do. And my cleaner at home is like part of the family. She helps me so much. I couldn't manage my job and be a decent parent without her input and I know that if I need extra help in any kind of emergency I can rely on her.
Wherever we live or work, we all rely on cleaners in some way. In shops, hospitals, offices, on public transport, libraries, restaurants, schools, streets, parks, recreation facilities...you name it. Where would we be if nobody cleaned? You provide a vital service and it is nothing to be ashamed of. If anyone looks down on you then they are idiots. Hold your head high.

Some people do look down on cleaners but that says more about them than you. They like to feel superior. I’m of the opinion that every job in society is important somewhere along the line! Cleaners are vital! I always take the time to thank the cleaners in my office for the job they do and have a chat with them about their lives. They are as important part of the whole team as anyone else. If I see any of them outside of work I’m pleased to see them and stop for a chat. We have a few comedians among them as well. They make us laugh on top of the good job they do! Keep your chin up. You are important.

Sorry to hear people have been making you feel like this It just shows how small minded people can be.

My mum was a teacher but also worked as a cleaner during a period where she couldn't find teaching work.

My sister in law had a job cleaning for a lovely elderly doctor. She was pressured into giving it up by a snotty family member who said it reflected badly on our family! She regretted it very much later.

No need to be ashamed of honest work. The ones who rip off others or avoid paying tax should be ashamed, not you

A cleaner at my workplace loves her job so much, she continued cleaning even after winning millions in the lottery (Three years and counting). Her colleague revealed this after she was transferred to another work site.

I think people who go out of their way to not pay their fair share of tax like Rees Mogg should be ashamed, or the bankers who gambled with our hard earned savings on American mortgage derivatives because they are looking for extortionate returns while paying us pitiful returns should be ashamed of themselves. You should be proud of what you do!

I'm considering this atm, absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Hold your head up and just tell people or make something up if you prefer.

Honesty money is honesty money op. Are you embarrassed to pay your bills and feed your kids? Absolutly not! Hold your head high OP

I'm sure you've heard the story of the cleaner working at NASA in the 1960s?
When asked by somebody 'what do you do'?
They proudly replied 'I'm helping to put a man on the moon'

They were dead right as well.

Anyone who looks down on you, is saying more about them, than about you! I cleaned when only eldest son was tiny. It fitted in with the ex hours.

At the end of the day your job is just as important. If people didnt do this job who would clean up after them.

Good on you gor what you do. Hard I know however just ignore them. They aren't people you want around you

Should say "my" not only, above

I was a cleaner, it suited me as hours were flexible and it’s hard work but not rocket science. I too was judged - shockingly tbh. It shocked me how my middle class left friends looked down on me so quickly. No idea why.

I think you're assuming people are judging you, probably looking for reactions when you tell them because you're ashamed.

You do a vital and really hard job and are doing your best for your family!

It’s an honourable trade.

I do understand why you might feel like that, but honestly, fuck anyone who looks down on you in the ear! Actually doing what you can to support your family is a very positive thing and you're amazing!

You DO NOT have anything to be ashamed of and if you think you do YABVU.

I was hoping for something a little more juicy.
But no, there is zero shame in what you do. You are providing and supporting your husband in providing. Well done to you.
I respect you 1000 times more than I do someone who happily sits on their ass getting handouts when they don't need to be.

So voting suggests that so far 83% of people think that you are not being unreasonable to feel embarassed/ashamed of what you do for a living. Why? A job is a job and no matter what it is, you are earning money and paying your way in today's society, and £10 an hour is nothing to be sniffed at either. Bugger what anyone else says/thinks and be proud that your working and not sponging of the state.

I was a cleaner for a school and was treated automatically like someone not worth talking to, someone not very bright etc. I have a university degree and was working part time to support my family, but the teachers and office staff, when they even spoke to me at all, their their attitude would change.it was shocking. Dh worked three jobs to save up the money to change careers,he is very intelligent, but was Still treated like an idiot just because he was a cleaner. Don't be ashamed.you're earning money, you're working hard. People are prejudiced by nature.