4 ms·

I think it's more a metaphorical "leave", as in "leave the rat race". Most people know they can leave their job, but leaving a chosen career path is a lot harde

I think it's more a metaphorical "leave", as in "leave the rat race". Most people know they can leave their job, but leaving a chosen career path is a lot harder, especially for a less educated person, and particularly for blue collar workers. What are they supposed to do? Quit without savings and try to change careers? (That's the feeling, anyways. Not sure what the answer is.)

dnautics 13y ago
Well I've quit without savings (ok, with one month's savings) twice. Both times I had friends who were kind enough to help take care of me until I could find a job. I'm about to quit (with two month's savings), and there is a strong possibility I'll change careers. It's certainly possible. I do think people generally lack the courage to try, but even that is besides my point. I think if even if people did have the courage, most would not WANT to. The don't want to leave the rat race, even though they hate it, because the security is what they crave.
- GFischer 13y ago
  Ok, you had a safety net, and it's MUCH easier if you don't have financial obligations(children, mortgages, etc..). Most blue collar people I know can't impose on friends too much - young ones might get a couch to crash, but their friends are too poor to pay for one month of free food and transport, so some sort of savings is mandatory if you want to quit. For older ones, it's unthinkable without significant savings.
  - dnautics 13y ago
    everyone, except possibly the mentally insane has a bigger safety net than they think they have. Even the homeless avoid shelters (rightfully in many cases, since many are violent places).
    - GFischer 13y ago
      "everyone, except possibly the mentally insane has a bigger safety net than they think they have" That may be so, but I guess you're from the United States, right? To be honest, my country has several welfare programs, but they're bureaucratic and marginalizing, I think most people wouldn't like hitting rock bottom like that, and for a dubious chance at a career change - my country does have free university, but I don't think you can do it from the street, and shelter is only available in winter. I agree you wouldn't starve, at least in the U.S. or here in Uruguay, I can think of several places I wouldn't try it out, but it would be a huge hurdle to overcome (not to mention the difficulty of getting reinserted in society).

dnautics 13y ago

Well I've quit without savings (ok, with one month's savings) twice. Both times I had friends who were kind enough to help take care of me until I could find a job. I'm about to quit (with two month's savings), and there is a strong possibility I'll change careers. It's certainly possible. I do think people generally lack the courage to try, but even that is besides my point. I think if even if people did have the courage, most would not WANT to. The don't want to leave the rat race, even though they hate it, because the security is what they crave.

GFischer 13y ago
Ok, you had a safety net, and it's MUCH easier if you don't have financial obligations(children, mortgages, etc..). Most blue collar people I know can't impose on friends too much - young ones might get a couch to crash, but their friends are too poor to pay for one month of free food and transport, so some sort of savings is mandatory if you want to quit. For older ones, it's unthinkable without significant savings.
- dnautics 13y ago
  everyone, except possibly the mentally insane has a bigger safety net than they think they have. Even the homeless avoid shelters (rightfully in many cases, since many are violent places).
  - GFischer 13y ago
    "everyone, except possibly the mentally insane has a bigger safety net than they think they have" That may be so, but I guess you're from the United States, right? To be honest, my country has several welfare programs, but they're bureaucratic and marginalizing, I think most people wouldn't like hitting rock bottom like that, and for a dubious chance at a career change - my country does have free university, but I don't think you can do it from the street, and shelter is only available in winter. I agree you wouldn't starve, at least in the U.S. or here in Uruguay, I can think of several places I wouldn't try it out, but it would be a huge hurdle to overcome (not to mention the difficulty of getting reinserted in society).