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> In retail, you don't get free food / liquid. Water is free, most likely. I've never had free food programming, beyond nutra-grain bars, once. > Customers ar

> In retail, you don't get free food / liquid. Water is free, most likely. I've never had free food programming, beyond nutra-grain bars, once. > Customers are allowed to scream at you and you have to figure out how to make them happy. Toxic clients exist in the programming world, too. And as a low-level peon, you have a lot more leeway in telling an abusive customer to get out than you do a multimillion dollar client. > shifts well past midnight on Friday and Christmas Eve... Still happens for developers. As strange as it may sound, I think I personally was happier waiting tables. But it wasn't going to pay the bills. In general, I totally agree that most people, all things considered, are better off programming. But let's not overstate our case. :) There are definitely some programming jobs which are light-years better than any retail job because e.g., you don't have to deal with customers, but that's not all programming jobs.

mathgeek 11y ago
> I think I personally was happier waiting tables. Sometimes, the social aspects of your job outweigh other factors. Throw in the simplicity of jobs like waiting tables, and I've found that it can be a lot of enjoyment.
chrshawkes 11y ago
Try crawling around in asbestos filled attics or rat infested crawl spaces for 12 bucks an hour. Programming is much easier than so many professions I've had in the past it's absolutely unbelievable.
- callinyouin 11y ago
  I was a "pest control technician" (exterminator) before I started programming professionally, so I know how you feel. My life now is a cakewalk by comparison.
- bobwaycott 11y ago
  Oh, man. At 16-17, I used to do that installing HVAC systems. At 21-22, I worked in a factory to support a family. Then I spent the next 3.5 years selling cars. Finally said, "Fuck this", and decided to start programming as work instead of just play. Even the worst days of the last 9 years have never been as hard as the best days before it.

mathgeek 11y ago

> I think I personally was happier waiting tables. Sometimes, the social aspects of your job outweigh other factors. Throw in the simplicity of jobs like waiting tables, and I've found that it can be a lot of enjoyment.

chrshawkes 11y ago

Try crawling around in asbestos filled attics or rat infested crawl spaces for 12 bucks an hour. Programming is much easier than so many professions I've had in the past it's absolutely unbelievable.

callinyouin 11y ago
I was a "pest control technician" (exterminator) before I started programming professionally, so I know how you feel. My life now is a cakewalk by comparison.
bobwaycott 11y ago
Oh, man. At 16-17, I used to do that installing HVAC systems. At 21-22, I worked in a factory to support a family. Then I spent the next 3.5 years selling cars. Finally said, "Fuck this", and decided to start programming as work instead of just play. Even the worst days of the last 9 years have never been as hard as the best days before it.