I explain: I have had a minimum wage work as a waiter for years, quite hard conditions and I gave a lot of myself at the time (basically saying yes to every change in the schedule, doing extra hours for free to prove my engagement, tips confiscated by the boss etc.) and at that time I used to awnser to the question “What do you do” by saying
“I work as a waiter BUT it is just for now, it's not what I want to do all my life etc.”
I was ashamed of my job kind of.
Then I was fed up and I quit, a bit before covid, and I became unemployed (but thanks to the social protection in Europe and I manage to survive comfortably I would say(covid striked so no bars no restaurants=no job opportunities), and I that time I would answer the question by saying:
“nothing, I do nothing. I used to have a job but now I do nothing”
I was ashamed of being idle or whatever, not working meant to me that I don't exist for society. It was a time of sadness, even though I was relieved that I had time for myself, but couldn't enjoy it, too guilty. And that made me really sad to realise that I have been conditioned to think that way. Now I have been unemployed for 2 years and I met people who luckily changed my point of view, and the image I have of myself. Now I answer by saying:
“Well, I read, I cook a lot, take long walks, exercise, develop myself etc.”
Most of the times people feel a bit awkward with my awnser because that's not what they expect.
So I finally start to realise that life is not just work even though it is a huge part of life. And now I don't even ask what one does for a living when I first meet them, because it is not important. No one is born a waiter, or a supermarket worker, or whatever job one does to survive. I think that people are far more interesting than what they do for a living. It is a matter of respect and not putting people in boxes. I relly hate when some mock those who have a “shitty” job. They deny the person behind the label.
So once I go back to work I will stop presenting myself as a worker first. I may not be a very interesting person but I'm more than a worker only.
Idk what is the point of that post but somehow I want to share my evolution on this question and get to know other's opinion.