>In Ireland, people work to live, but too many Americans live to work. If you ask someone in Ireland to tell you about themselves, you will probably find out what county they are from, what sports they follow, and even their position on Ireland's most closely-fought controversy (Lyons vs Barry’s). Ask an American, and you will immediately find out what they do for a living.
I've always found this to be weird and off-putting. Okay, ask if it is important, but if they don't understand the response, that's on them. I understand that people frame things through their own experiences, but it is strange when wage based employment is assumed to be the only way to earn or live. It is a poor way to start a casual conversation.
I've had success asking people what keeps them busy. Even with Americans it helps to frame the question a bit. Ofc they can still talk about work if that's on their mind, but they sometimes also talk about life events or hobbies/projects instead.
No one asks why farm or circus animals are obsessed with being farm or circus animals, because exiting the structure that provides them their Identity is not possible.
>In Ireland, people work to live, but too many Americans live to work. If you ask someone in Ireland to tell you about themselves, you will probably find out what county they are from, what sports they follow, and even their position on Ireland's most closely-fought controversy (Lyons vs Barry’s). Ask an American, and you will immediately find out what they do for a living.
I've always found this to be weird and off-putting. Okay, ask if it is important, but if they don't understand the response, that's on them. I understand that people frame things through their own experiences, but it is strange when wage based employment is assumed to be the only way to earn or live. It is a poor way to start a casual conversation.
I've had success asking people what keeps them busy. Even with Americans it helps to frame the question a bit. Ofc they can still talk about work if that's on their mind, but they sometimes also talk about life events or hobbies/projects instead.
because our mortgages are so large that if we lost our job we'd be f'd 6 ways til Sunday
Stacked on top of property taxes (in most states). Even with 65% of the principal paid, my monthly payment is twice what it was initially.
[dead]
No one asks why farm or circus animals are obsessed with being farm or circus animals, because exiting the structure that provides them their Identity is not possible.