Dealing with Jealous Family Members (siblings, person, sister, house)
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Ok, so I have a "blue-collar" job and no college degree. I actually earn a lot more money than my "white-collar" and degreed sister. She hates that. I told her my salary (she asked), and she got really quiet and gave me this look of contempt. At a family gathering yesterday, I overheard her saying (more like shouting) to my parents, "I'm the college graduate. HE'S NOT. I SHOULD BE MAKING THE MONEY, NOT HIM. I'm only making $$$. HOW DARE THEY PAY HIM $$$. I work a professional job, he works this dirty and unprofessional job". You would think a family member would be happy for you. My sister got her job through connections, and was not really qualified for it at all. I actually struggled to get my job. She has a liberal arts degree, which is useless in my opinion. Why doesn't she at least share these feelings to my face?
How long have you had your current job and how long have you been making more than her? How long has she been working?
She's your sister. Just comfort her and tell her that is how your industry works. You start a bit higher, but it's not as great of an opportunity as she has long-term. Make her feel as if her investment in education will pay off and she will end up making more in time... and encourage her to continue working hard at it and follow the path she has chosen.
This way, her energy will be focused in the right direction. Then let it be.
Ok, so I have a "blue-collar" job and no college degree. I actually earn a lot more money than my "white-collar" and degreed sister. She hates that. I told her my salary (she asked), and she got really quiet and gave me this look of contempt. At a family gathering yesterday, I overheard her saying (more like shouting) to my parents, "I'm the college graduate. HE'S NOT. I SHOULD BE MAKING THE MONEY, NOT HIM. I'm only making $$$. HOW DARE THEY PAY HIM $$$. I work a professional job, he works this dirty and unprofessional job". You would think a family member would be happy for you. My sister got her job through connections, and was not really qualified for it at all. I actually struggled to get my job. She has a liberal arts degree, which is useless in my opinion. Why doesn't she at least share these feelings to my face?
Wow, your sister's attitude is like 180 degrees from mine. I'm a college graduate, liberal arts degree (I can totally relate to the cartoon where the person is sitting on the sidewalk with a coin jar, holding a sign that says, "BA - will think for food"). After spending a lot of time with other college graduates, I would just be so happy to have someone around who knows how things work in the real world and can actually do something useful.
I once told a plumber who was at my house that he was my hero. I wasn't kidding. The blue collar men and women are the ones keeping this country going, IMO, and they deserve every hard earned penny they make. Your sister is way off base, and I think part of her outrage may be related to her feeling insecure about her job, because deep down, she knows that she is a phony.
Out of my 4 siblings and I, only one has no college and that is the one who makes the most money. I'm really proud of her and tickled pink. She got there with hard work and dedication.
It is entirely possible to make more money in blue collar jobs that add value. A degree is 4 years of educational experience. Some blue collared jobs require lots of experience and it's really hard, dirty, and demanding work requiring specialized knoweledge. Some experienced blue collar jobs blow the pants off newer professional graduates in total compensation, well into 6 figure range. I am a degreed professional that works in a 'blue collar' environment. Great work, great experience, and stellar compensation, but sometimes the physical location of the work is less than ideal.
It is entirely possible to make more money in blue collar jobs that add value. A degree is 4 years of educational experience. Some blue collared jobs require lots of experience and it's really hard, dirty, and demanding work requiring specialized knoweledge. Some experienced blue collar jobs blow the pants off newer professional graduates in total compensation, well into 6 figure range. I am a degreed professional that works in a 'blue collar' environment. Great work, great experience, and stellar compensation, but sometimes the physical location of the work is less than ideal.
No one is suggesting that it is not possible for a blue collar worker to make good money. Four days before this thread, the OP was unemployed and had limited fuds, now he is well established in a good paying job and his sister is jealous of him. That's the issue.
Your sister needs to grow up. Her problem is not your problem.
Agree with this.
Honestly, college degrees are way overrated. Many are not good for anything. It's a false sense of intelligence. Some of the smartest, most useful people I know never went to college. In college, some of the people with the best grades didn't have any real knowledge. They were just really good at memorizing. If you have something you're good at and can make a good, steady career with great pay then more power to you.
No one is suggesting that it is not possible for a blue collar worker to make good money. Four days before this thread, the OP was unemployed and had limited fuds, now he is well established in a good paying job and his sister is jealous of him. That's the issue.
Hmmm. You are right. 6 posts - 6 new threads, this one contradicting the others.
No one is suggesting that it is not possible for a blue collar worker to make good money. Four days before this thread, the OP was unemployed and had limited fuds, now he is well established in a good paying job and his sister is jealous of him. That's the issue.
Glad I read this post before responding. Thanks for the heads up
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