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That was the icing on the cake. I went off to google "emotional labour" and still not sure I understand the point. Might be way off track, but I think of some

by prawn 7y ago

That was the icing on the cake. I went off to google "emotional labour" and still not sure I understand the point. Might be way off track, but I think of some of this type of response or outrage-on-behalf-of-others as a form of busywork. If you are somewhat housed and somewhat fed, your basic needs are met, do you look for drama or a fight to win?

coagmano 7y ago
"emotional labour" is absolutely a real thing, but that isn't it. Emotional labour normally means stuff like remembering family birthdays, planning gifts, organising visits to friends and family, planning social events, etc. Things that take work that involves thinking about the emotional states and responses of participants involved
- deleted 7y ago
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michaelt 7y ago
OK, so the thing to know about "emotional labour" is it's used in at least two ways (that sorta overlap). Definition 1: Most jobs sometimes require you to demonstrate a certain set of emotions, and if you're feeling differently at the time to succeed you'll have to change gears pronto or be really good at faking sincerity. Some jobs require a lot of this - so much it's the most difficult part of the job. For example, if you work for a call centre and have to convince people not to cancel their cable service, the company will probably want you to be upbeat and friendly every time you answer a call, while many callers will be frustrated and mad at your employer, and keen to share those feelings with you. Obviously, every job has a certain element of this - but for some jobs it's a big, difficult part of the job. Definition 2: The same, but including non-employment activities and reducing the big-and-difficult-part requirement. For example, I don't much enjoy talking on the telephone, so if I've got to phone several plumbers to get a quote for some work, overcoming that dislike is emotional labour under the second definition.

by prawn 7y ago

coagmano 7y ago

"emotional labour" is absolutely a real thing, but that isn't it. Emotional labour normally means stuff like remembering family birthdays, planning gifts, organising visits to friends and family, planning social events, etc. Things that take work that involves thinking about the emotional states and responses of participants involved

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]

michaelt 7y ago

OK, so the thing to know about "emotional labour" is it's used in at least two ways (that sorta overlap). Definition 1: Most jobs sometimes require you to demonstrate a certain set of emotions, and if you're feeling differently at the time to succeed you'll have to change gears pronto or be really good at faking sincerity. Some jobs require a lot of this - so much it's the most difficult part of the job. For example, if you work for a call centre and have to convince people not to cancel their cable service, the company will probably want you to be upbeat and friendly every time you answer a call, while many callers will be frustrated and mad at your employer, and keen to share those feelings with you. Obviously, every job has a certain element of this - but for some jobs it's a big, difficult part of the job. Definition 2: The same, but including non-employment activities and reducing the big-and-difficult-part requirement. For example, I don't much enjoy talking on the telephone, so if I've got to phone several plumbers to get a quote for some work, overcoming that dislike is emotional labour under the second definition.