Last week I ran into a friend(M65) of my(M26) parents. We chatted for a while, and he asked how work was going. I explained that I finished graduate school and have a salaried corporate job, and while it is a lot of work, it could be worse and at least pays the bills. He asked “How much do you typically work? 40 hours a week?” I laughed and said, as polite as a pilgrim, “Well, no. I don’t know anyone in my industry who does. I usually work 8-5 then answer emails for an hour after dinner. I also work 2 Saturdays a month.”
He said “Holy smokes. My kids have to do the same. They really work you guys too hard.” I told him he was right and that the 40 hour work week was dead if it ever existed. He said it was certainly real, and he was just glad he got his pension and got out when he did. What a weird day.