People Who Are Jealous Of Retirees (vacations, relative, vacation, married)
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When I announced my retirement, many members of my staff, all somewhat younger, expressed some envy that I had the ability to leave work behind and never work again unless I wanted to. I don't!
My usual response was that while retirement was decidedly something to look forward to, the down-side was that most of us had to get along in years (I was 62) before we could manage it.
It's truely amazing how many couples (older and younger) are in relationships and marriages that they don't want to be in!! We have a number of single (55 plus) people that live in our complex and wife/I aren't jealous of their "single" status at all. In fact, both of us wonder sometimes why they want to stay single (been told straight out by a few that they have no future intention of finding someone). Wife and I absolutely HATED being single. We love doing so, so many things together, we don't even think about that single phrase "do what I want, when I want". However, my wife's sister, in her mid 60's, acts like she is single and "does what she wants, when she wants" with no complaining from her husband of 40 years. But, we've also known for a long time that their marriage really isn't a marriage! She is retired from teaching, but still teaches as a sub.........just can't get enough of teaching, I guess!
Quote:
Originally Posted by AZDesertBrat
I don't know anyone who's 'jealous' of, or despises, retirees. I think more people are 'jealous' of my happy singledom than my retirement. Of course, I do still work part time but even putting in 32 hours a week away from home I still have plenty of time to do what I want, when I want, at home.
I have had people tell me they couldn't stand to not have "something to do" every day...ie a job...and they would get "bored" at home. I just don't get that because I am NEVER bored and I always have things to do. Even when I wasn't working at all I never got bored. But then, I've always believed that our lives are what we make them so if I DID get bored it would be all my own fault.
I pretty much agree with Escort Rider's comment. In my case, the shoe was on the other foot: I could never understand some of my workmates whose personal meaning and fulfillment were tied up in their work. I just didn't get it, and I came to realize that in a sense the problem was me. The difference between myself and these folks, in respect to I-am-my-work was an unbridgable abyss for me.
So, I am not too surprised that there are people who are so puzzled that they ask: "But what do you do?" Clearly I am an incomprehensible entity to them.
There is another thread about a retired woman who spends 14 hours a day in front of her TV and only comments on TV with others. I have to say I am sure I would rather sit in a room with a duck-billed platypuss than this woman, but at the end of the day some of us human beings are real strangers to each other.
I never considered that being able to be retired was a cause for jealousy. I don't think it is the retirement itself that we could be jealous of, but rather the large nest egg some people are able to retire on could take a form of envy (for me anyway) When I read about the mega millions some people have or the great pensions, health care etc etc. ,I can turn a light shade of green, but I never begrudge their good fortune. Just wish it was me!!!!
Well, I'm 31 now, and so far I have many hobbies that I will then get into full time once I no longer have to work for a living.
I'm into astronomy, researching deep wisdom left by ancient civilizations, researching ancient history, collecting rare books, health and fitness, restoring and maintaining classic Mustangs; and possibly, I might get into coaching or running a small gym.
Well, it sounds like you have a number of "passions" that will keep you busy. I know a number of people who retired without a vision as to what to do with their days. They didn't fare very well. Some regretted their decision to retire. It's good to have plans and it sounds like you do, too. Good for you, calicali.
I pretty much agree with Escort Rider's comment. In my case, the shoe was on the other foot: I could never understand some of my workmates whose personal meaning and fulfillment were tied up in their work. I just didn't get it, and I came to realize that in a sense the problem was me. The difference between myself and these folks, in respect to I-am-my-work was an unbridgable abyss for me.
So, I am not too surprised that there are people who are so puzzled that they ask: "But what do you do?" Clearly I am an incomprehensible entity to them.
There is another thread about a retired woman who spends 14 hours a day in front of her TV and only comments on TV with others. I have to say I am sure I would rather sit in a room with a duck-billed platypuss than this woman, but at the end of the day some of us human beings arereal strangers to each other.
Boy, isn't that bolded part the truth!! I think people who find genuine fulfillment in their work are very fortunate. I had mixed feelings about my career - there were some good years and some horrible years, some deeply gratifying aspects and some soul-killing aspects. But even many of those who love their work have considerable outside interests; it's not an either/or situation. I think Kevxu and I would probably agree that the saddest cases of all are those who have no interests in life beyond their work, but who do not especially care for their jobs either! But the jobs fill up the time, and that is preferable (to those people) to the profound ennui of being face to face with themselves all the time - in other words being face to face with nothingness! It gives me the willies just thinking about it.
Yeah, I'm not sure what he meant by that. Maybe he's one of those who forgets how much we've paid in over the years. Sounds kind of cranky anyway.
Or he's one who believes that what happened at ENRON was not something heinously illegal, but was simply "ahead of it's time". It seems the word "contract" has lost a lot of meaning these days. At least those contracts where middle-class people are the payees.
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Of course, I do still work part time but even putting in 32 hours a week away from home I still have plenty of time to do what I want, when I want, at home. 
Attitudes toward work
