4 ms·

I don't quite follow you here. Can you explain this more explicitly for me Patrick?

by spitfire 14y ago

unimpressive 14y ago
His point, as I understand it; was that if you say you're a "consultant" you get treated better.
- spitfire 14y ago
  I was confused by the "a lot" bit. Around here "consultant" means you don't work for the government, which means you are a leper.
patio11 14y ago
Landlord: "I need to see your last two paystubs." Me: "I am a self-employed consultant, so my income doesn't come with a pay stub. Would running my credit or a letter of reference from the bank be acceptable as an alternative?" or Wife's Family: "What is it you do exactly?" Me: "Well-regarded software companies in Tokyo, the US, and Europe pay me to advise them on selling more software." WF: "But you're not working right now. Are you... Between employers?" Me: "... In general, I have a lot of flexibility in how I arrange my affairs, and I thought I'd rather come to a family outing than work today." or Government Official: "What is your employment?" Me: "I'm a self-employed engineering consultant as attested to by this blue folder of official forms issued by the last 32 departments I had this discussion with." GO: "That isn't permitted under..." Me: "3rd page." GO: "reads But your taxes..." Me: "Starts on 5th page, continues through 9th, previous years are in the next pocket." GO: "So things are pretty much in order?" Me: "Well, 32 offices say yes, and who am I, one little voice with no authority to override all of their decisions simultaneously, to say otherwise." GO: "Ok, we're done." Me: "Can I get your stamp on this certificate? I think you'll find it costs 200 yen."
- spitfire 14y ago
  I see your point. I was thinking more in a softer sense, where that might not work. Around here people are /very/ conservative 17% retirement population, 20%+ work for govt, a large chunk of the rest for large govt owned businesses (crown corporations)
  - mechanical_fish 14y ago
    You could try telling people that you build software for the government. All it takes is one contributed bugfix to the right open-source project and you'll be telling the truth. If they ask for details just tell 'em. E.g.: "Well, [federal website X] is built on an infrastructure that was assembled by a big team of developers from around the world, and I'm one of them."
    - spitfire 14y ago
      I have a better solution. sell to and deal with people who care about getting things done, rather than "who" you are. Problem solved.

I don't quite follow you here. Can you explain this more explicitly for me Patrick?

unimpressive 14y ago

His point, as I understand it; was that if you say you're a "consultant" you get treated better.

spitfire 14y ago
I was confused by the "a lot" bit. Around here "consultant" means you don't work for the government, which means you are a leper.

patio11 14y ago

Landlord: "I need to see your last two paystubs." Me: "I am a self-employed consultant, so my income doesn't come with a pay stub. Would running my credit or a letter of reference from the bank be acceptable as an alternative?" or Wife's Family: "What is it you do exactly?" Me: "Well-regarded software companies in Tokyo, the US, and Europe pay me to advise them on selling more software." WF: "But you're not working right now. Are you... Between employers?" Me: "... In general, I have a lot of flexibility in how I arrange my affairs, and I thought I'd rather come to a family outing than work today." or Government Official: "What is your employment?" Me: "I'm a self-employed engineering consultant as attested to by this blue folder of official forms issued by the last 32 departments I had this discussion with." GO: "That isn't permitted under..." Me: "3rd page." GO: "reads But your taxes..." Me: "Starts on 5th page, continues through 9th, previous years are in the next pocket." GO: "So things are pretty much in order?" Me: "Well, 32 offices say yes, and who am I, one little voice with no authority to override all of their decisions simultaneously, to say otherwise." GO: "Ok, we're done." Me: "Can I get your stamp on this certificate? I think you'll find it costs 200 yen."

spitfire 14y ago
I see your point. I was thinking more in a softer sense, where that might not work. Around here people are /very/ conservative 17% retirement population, 20%+ work for govt, a large chunk of the rest for large govt owned businesses (crown corporations)
- mechanical_fish 14y ago
  You could try telling people that you build software for the government. All it takes is one contributed bugfix to the right open-source project and you'll be telling the truth. If they ask for details just tell 'em. E.g.: "Well, [federal website X] is built on an infrastructure that was assembled by a big team of developers from around the world, and I'm one of them."
  - spitfire 14y ago
    I have a better solution. sell to and deal with people who care about getting things done, rather than "who" you are. Problem solved.