AIBU

[bananahammok]

I recently became a bus driver. I was working as something completely unrelated in an office and when I lost my job I decided to apply for that position as I knew the hiring process would be quick. I qualified in 3 months and now earn £17 ph. After a 38hr week I take home about £550. I was talking to my best friend who is unemployed about the job and I said that she would be the perfect person for the same sort of job because she hasn't got young children like I do and it's quite a solitary job, which she would like. She then said "I wouldn't want to be associated with that sort of job".
I'm offended and I let her know. She apologised and I let it go but I wonder if this is how others feel and am I being unreasonable to be offended?

She is an idiot. One of the reasons we were so happy to leave the UK was the fact that people are so happy look down their noses on others due to what they do for a living. I would be offended too.

I would have asked her to clarify what she meant by that and put her on the spot.
There is nothing wrong with being a bus driver, I struggle to see how it’s any different from any driving job and you are providing a service that’s needed.
Your friend has a cheek making such a comment whilst being unemployed herself.

To my mind that is really good money for a responsible job. Good for you OP!

Your friend is maybe too nervous to drive a bus - but doesn't want to admit that so makes a dickish comment instead....

Sounds like your friend is still stuck in the past, in the class war. White collar versus blue and all that.

She hadn't noticed that the office jobs that don't involve anything manual can now pay less than that. She needs to move on about half a century.

A bus driver must be calm, patient, constantly aware, alert to dangers, a peacemaker between awkward passengers, be confident driving a huge vehicle in heavy traffic, know what to do in a whole host of emergencies.

I wonder if she would think the same about an airline pilot?

I don’t think she’s your best friend if she’s been disparaging about your work. I think taking on the role of providing a valuable service like that is admirable. It shows tenacity and a willingness to do what needs to be done to support yourself. Sounds like you’ve done brilliantly for yourself.

People shouldn't be defined by their job!
She sounds an idiot.

I am very happy to see our local women bus drivers helping to keep our essential public transport networks going. You are helping the planet. It is a skilled job and the pay reflects that (to some extent).

Good for you, I'd be utterly hopeless at driving a bus so maybe your friend knows she wouldn't be able to do it and there's a slight bit of envy. Either that or she's a complete snob.
Basically it says a lot more about her than it does you.

Your friend doesn't sound very bright. Your job is a great one. It's responsible, in demand and not anyone can do it. Maybe she's jealous? Well done you.

It’s a sad situation when she had no shame to be unemployed and probably living off benefits rather than looking for a job that comes with respect and pays well.

Id think a lot more of anyone who has the drive to retrain, take on a new challenge and be employed than a lazy arse snob sitting at home looking down their nose. I know which one Id want around me.

Good for you OP. I love driving but I'd be too scared to drive a bus.

Anyone in any paid employment has my respect. Bus drivers are amazing and totally deserve good rates of pay. She sounds entitled, snobby and plain awful and not anyone I'd consider to be a friend.

Bus drivers don't get the respect they deserve tbh. I think your friend has revealed a bit of her character to you though, a rather nasty bit.

Like PP's have said, I think it depends on the context of what, precisely, she meant with regard to not wanting to be associated with that type of job whether or not I'd be offended by it.

If it's just she thinks driving a bus is beneath her, then yes. She's being a snob and deserves your contempt.

Bus drivers here are relatively well paid, but they have to deal with anti-social behaviour constantly, some of the routes are regularly pulled because of feral gangs attacking the buses, and I know I simply could not do the job because I'd find dealing with the general public impossible now. If she feels the same, then no, I wouldn't be remotely bothered by what she said.

A job is a job at the end of the day. Your friend is being silly for looking down on people who do these sort of jobs. Well done for getting a job as a bus driver, and ignore the silly ones

Probably she meant that she wouldn't like this position to appear in her CV in case she would be seeking an office job in the future.

Your friend is an arse and you should never be ashamed of earning an honest living.

Congratulations on your new job, I would love to be able to drive a bus but could never I'd be too scared so I'm super impressed

Ignore your stupid friend, does she think you need to sell your children so that you can go to work. Honestly

At least you’re working. She sounds work shy.

"I wouldn't want to be associated with that sort of job".

An unemployed person said that to you?😂

I'd have said, "That's rich coming from you - I'd rather that than live off benefits.".

Imagine preferring to be a scrounger than to have a job driving a bus.