White vs. blue-collar workers: attitude on the job (paid, interest, hired)

[tvdxer]

Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed a difference between white (doctors, professors, attorneys) and blue collar workers (laborers, PCAs) in how they interact when working.

The blue-collar workers I have worked with and observed seem to be more stoic. When you're at work, you're at work, you focus on work, you talk about work. A lot of the time they don't smile while at work. They don't spend time or smiles greeting their co-workers. Even when there's no work (e.g. break time, down time, etc.) they maintain this mood.

The white-collar workers, on the other hand, seem to have more gusto while working. I think of the behavior of attorneys and judges; they will be smiling, making small talk, laughing, etc. while their clients are frantic. The businessmen in suits I see downtown are similar; while going between buildings they seem to be almost exuberant. All this in spite of the fact that white-collar work is generally more consequential and often as or more demanding than labor.

Has anybody else, perhaps with more experience, observed this? Why could it be?

[Kenneth-Kaunda]

perhaps because white collar work is more enjoyable and rewarding.

let's face it, stacking boxes in the warehouse all day hardly leads one to jovial conversation, lol

[NJBest]

Also, a lot of white collar work is based on interpersonal skills and communication.

[findly185]

White collar work is based on who you know, relationships and being memorable. None of which happens without taking interest in peoples lives.

[fishbrains]

White collar workers generally have more control over their day to day lives. This c an lead to less stress.

I do not agree with the OP though. There are lots of blue collar people that seem quite happy, a plenty of miserable white collar folks.

[KABurke]

Working in a production atmosphere as opposed to an office atmosphere can and does affect ones attitude. As another posted pointed out, the "white collar" worker has more control over their daily life, i.e., if you want to use the bathroom, you go. If you want to take a break, you take it. Production or warehouse workers generally do not have that "luxury." Their breaks are scheduled and bathroom breaks sometimes have to be planned!! LOL! But, as was also pointed out by fishbrains, there are plenty of miserable white collar workers, too, just as there are plenty of happy blue collar workers!

[packer43064]

White collar usually pays well blue collar doesn't for the most part. Why be happy when your in a warehouse with no AC during the heat of the summer making $12 an hour picking orders. Go in, hope that today isn't going to turn into a 12 hour night because 8 oeople called off and go home. I'm a happy go lucky guy though and work in a warehouse. Always smiling even though I may be drenched in sweat. Work is boring though, I get more stimulation watching Ren and Stimpy then working any day of my life. Work your hours and get paid to live my life out of work is how I see it.

[andywire]

Largely depends on the work environment and the type of blue collar job. Every shop I've ever worked at, people would bs, talk about the weather, etc. As long as work was going smoothly, nobody had much of a problem. If the foreman was a real slave driver, the mood would be quite different though.

Where I work, we're always cracking jokes. We're all pretty easy going and enjoy the work. I doubt we would all have the same attitude if we were general laborers making $10/hr though. If we hired somebody with a bad attitude, he would be gone at the end of the week. No need to add negative vibes to the workplace.

One thing I would say though... Anyone whose ever served an apprenticeship or formal introduction into a blue collar occupation knows the importance of work ethic. If you're talking, you had better be up on your work. Quality and output is of paramount importance, and these are easy to track. If you're not contributing equally, your coworkers will not be thrilled about pulling your weight and your foreman will see you as dead weight. A lot of the blue collar workers who have persevered are simply the no nonsense types who come off as being unfriendly to some.

[Fargobound]

I prefer to deal with blue collar workers. There's less BS and fake small talk.

[Just_the_facts]

Originally Posted by Fargobound

I prefer to deal with blue collar workers. There's less BS and fake small talk.

I agree.