Quote:
Originally Posted by the_contrary
Perhaps it's my career field (advertising) but I don't know anyone who gets out before 6:30p, and that includes people who DON'T take lunches. I typically leave the office around 7:30p on my best days, and I'm the type of person who eats lunch at my desk.
Do you work a steady 9-5?
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If you are ambitious, have a career (as opposed to a job), and are a *professional*, then no one in NYC/tri state works a straight 9 to 5. The city is simply too competitive, and to achieve above middle class status is THE standard, as opposed to out in Transplantland, where "executives", the "executive lifestyle", and upper middle class achievement is *rare*; and, middle class is the achievement standard.
When I moved South, FL, for a time I was shocked by this middle class mentality, and by the status (and marketing) of "executive" as true elitism. Here in the NYC area, executives are a dime a dozen, in Transplantland it is the mark of elitism. Also, everything was sooo 'pegged'. You went to school, got a degree (from an approved (good ole boy) institution, you got an "executive" position, and that was it, your career path is generally set and laid out.
In NYC, there is the same sort of thing, of course on a larger scale; BUT, the real difference is that anyone, generally, with the ambition *can* break out above any *prescribed* career path, and make great strides, quickly, in income and career.
Out in Transplantland, such quick ambitious fulfillment is not the norm. You take your ticket, punch it, and move at an established pace. Which isn't that bad, given low level "executives" live an above average, above middle class lifestyle. Status and lifestyle differences are far more definite and stark out in Transplantland. So, a 9 to SIX executive out in Transplantland can achieve a distinctive lifestyle difference w/o working too hard; and, based soley upon his degree achievement.
NYC presents so much more opportunity; for those who seek it and *take* it. The average degree *may* open a door or two, but other than that, it is NOT a lifestyle *guarantee*, as is most often found out in Transplantland. In NYC, it is that extra effort, that extra work *smart*, being in the right place at the the right time (which means being there *all* the time!), making and looking for opportunity IS the difference for most who *achieve* in NYC, and those who do not, or are just 'midlin' about.
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Anyway, in NYC, it is only the unambitious, union workers, government workers, working mothers/wives, and under achievers who work a straight 9 to 5.
Everyone else, is busting their asses, contubuting in the game of 'beat the competition'! Competing for promotions, raises, and 5 or 6 figure bonuses!!
Most working straight 9 to 5, generally, have no such opportunity.
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Also, and significantly, one difference in the present generation of Transplants, is the false notion that Transplantland *under achievement* can be transferred; transplanted; exists, in NYC in the same manner as out in Transplantland. That NYC is just a BIGGER, more vibrant version of Transplantland.
These folk NEVER comprehended that simply achieving middle class status in NYC, would require them to HUMP their asses!! They thought it w/b *simple* like back in Transplantland, where *degree* equals middle class, and a commensurate middle class (McMansion like) lifestyle.
The *schock* of NYC's reality is kicking a lot of such Transplant butt! Ten and 12 hour days, 5 or 6 days per week of butt humping, and I still can't afford my own place (not in a ghetto!)! They never imagined such, it was never this hard, back in Transplantland!
Well, Dorothy, you're not in Kansas anymore!
You want it, go out and get it. Of course, you could go join a Union!
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