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?

Some stealth bragging on the thread, already. 🙄

You are an enabler, by doing what your doing, doctors, nurses, heads of large companies can do what they do . Your job allows other's to do they job , and in my book that's a valid reason to be proud.

I thought you were going to say you were a prostitute or something! I have done cleaning to make ends meet when I was a single parent - and nothing compares to cleaning the men's toilets in a pub believe you me!! I'm not ashamed - then or now - when the snobs say anything ask them what kind of work environment they think they would be in if they didn't have cleaners! Seeing the state of our kitchen at work (which they don't clean) the place would be knee deep in crap in a week!

Meant to add I have my own problem - I judge people who work as decision makers for the DWP. I know rationally they can't all be the devil incarnate, but having supported a loved one through the dehumanising PIP process and seen the lies (literally) in the reports they've written, from an emotional perspective I honestly don't know how DWP decision makers can sleep at night. If I were desperate and starving I honestly couldn't bring myself to work for them because I couldn't do to other people what is being done to us.

I'm surprised that people look down on you. I am pretty sure I don't know anyone who would look down on someone who is a cleaner. You are working and paying tax so why would anyone have a problem with that?

Over the years I have done quite a few jobs. I worked as a legal secretary for most of my working life but I have also worked as a painter/decorator, a cleaner and a shop assistant. I found some people did look down on me when I worked in a shop but not when I was cleaning

I'm very sorry people have made you feel bad. You provide a much needed service that brings in money and fits in with your life. They can bugger off! I am not working now and people glaze over when they ask me what I do and I say I'm not working, but they have no idea of why I'm not working now and what I did before or what I actually do with my time. Forget them and carry on.

Without cleaners the workplace , or wherever you clean, would be a shit hole. Our office is awful if the cleaner doesn’t come in. Every job is important . My uncle was a bin man for a few years and people frowned upon that but without them, our bins would overflow .
Just ignore them, if you’re happy, carry on! You’re providing for your family which is awesome. My dad was a cleaner at a university and was proud of it and so you should be too :)

Cleaning is good honest work
be proud

When I read the thread title, I instantly thought of about a dozen professions that people might perhaps be 'ashamed' of.

Cleaning never entered my head!

NB: you are being smart to invest in a pension for yourself. So many women seem to consider this low priority and end up poor in their old age.

I've done loads of cleaning jobs, it's also good stress-free work, you go there, you do the work, you go home
your head is free to think about important interesting things because cleaning takes up very little headspace🙂
What's not to like, I'd happily do it again 🙂

If anyone judges what you do for work then you should pity them

Any decent human being will respect anyone that works hard at their job regardless of what that job is

I work in childcare. To too get “that” look from time to time. I love my job and I’m really good at it. That’s all that matters

Look on the bright side: you’ll know instantly which people are worth your time and who isn’t.

I’m not a cleaner now but I have been. It’s hard and it’s valuable.

Absolutely NOT scum! My MIL is a cleaner, she earns more than me per hour... (I was on £18k at the time).

I covered for her while she went abroad to visit family for a month and wow, what a physically tiring job!

PS - working as a private cleaner you can earn much more, I know she charges between £12-14 p/hour and cleans lovely rich peoples' posh houses. I did 5 hours for one lady and got £60. May be something to consider. This was in the North of England as well so London you should be able to get much more. It's certainly something I may consider after I've had children.

Good on you for supporting your family!

I was a cleaner (evenings) when my son was in nursery! I absolutely loved it. I sometimes think about going back again 😂 genuinely. Job satisfaction, meet new people. Loved it. I did always feel that i was having to explain to people though that I was only doing it for extra cash so I know exactly how you feel. Looking back though I don't feel the same shame I did back then. Be proud of yourself and take pride in your work! Long gone are the days of old biddies who stink of smoke and moan like fuck about the mess people leave!

I think I'm someone who gets uncomfortable around the cleaners where I work.

Its because I know they are stupidly underpaid for the vital work they do and their presence makes me feel guilty that I get paid far more for doing something that's far less essential.

I don't know how many other people feel like me, but I wouldn't assume that anyone who seems uncomfortable is reacting that way because they are looking down on you.

I wouldn't be ashamed to be a cleaner nor would I look down on you. It's an honest living that fits around your home life. You're working hard in whatever job necessary to support your kids, I'd say it's an admirable trait. No job is beneath anyone however extensive their ego education.

The woman started weeping silently and then we all went to bed.

I imagine she wept because of your behaviour. What right do you have to berate people until they satisfy your curiosity, when they clearly don't want to?

Now THEY were ashamed of what they did.

How do you know? Maybe they know that they're contributing to medical science, but know better than to mention what they do to others who might not see it that way.

@namethecat

You are an enabler, by doing what your doing, doctors, nurses, heads of large companies can do what they do . Your job allows other's to do they job , and in my book that's a valid reason to be proud.*

Absolutely spot on!

I think you are just mixing with the wrong people. We have had cleaners for 20 years and all cleaners are goddesses in my eyes! My cleaners are usually hard working single mothers who I have nothing but admiration for how they work in their spare time to provide for their children. And are always positive and enthusiastic about helping me with household chores so I can spend more time with my children.
My only issue is I think you are being underpaid! My cleaners 1hr from London charge £14 a hour including insurance and products,

I value the lady that provides my cleaning immensely, she adds to my life more than lots of people.

What you do makes people happy. I can’t wait until we can get a cleaner as I bloody hate cleaning but I love coming back to a clean house! Likewise it’s the worst to come in to a dirty public toilet or office.

I bet that a lot of people looking down on you have less of a positive impact on society.

I know that look.

Have worked in childcare and in retail (shelf stacking, deli counter and checkout).

But have never worked as a cleaner as I would find it too labour intensive physically and also I have a problem with other people’s grime and germs.

So I might look at you with curiosity as to why you chose that particular low paid, low skilled job as there are easier ones out there!

But I’m not judging you in a bad way as I know that people have their reasons and you are doing an honest days work that is of value and worth (though you should be paid double!)

Cleaners - certainly in public or communal spaces - are vital to public health. And if you work in someone's home you are making their life easier in a really important way.

I have no time for people who are silly about others' jobs.

I dunno. Are you sure a bit of your inner snobbery isn't at play here ?? 🧐

Stop judging yourself, and if people really are judging you then find better people to be around.

Hats off to you. I would do exactly the same! I'm a nail technician in a salon two days and week, I work in an office two days a week and I work from home.

Having a cleaner for me would be an ultimate luxury and I would value my cleaner.

A trustworthy good cleaner is hard to find.