Current Events > Anybody here would prefer to have a blue collar job?

(+) Yeah! (+)

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white because i'd rather work my mind than my body

edit: this post is ignorant and i feel bad, see below
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i have a blue collar job and it's terrific

also:

Giant_Aspirin posted...

white because i'd rather work my mind than my body

work your mind while working your blue collar job; it's the perfect scenario

Blue cause the alternative is boring as fuck and its like getting paid to be exercise. Radio was decent but any other office job would kill me.
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Blue collar jobs are more enjoyable imo. Not sure if its worth the pay bump to sit inside all day
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If I could get white collar money for a blue collar job, that would be the dream.
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Omnislasher posted...

Giant_Aspirin posted...

white because i'd rather work my mind than my body

work your mind while working your blue collar job; it's the perfect scenario

Also this.

Never understood how people figure carpentry and the like doesn't involve the brain. There are hundreds of types of white collar jobs that involve far less brain power than building a house from the ground up.
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IloveJesus posted...

If I could get white collar money for a blue collar job, that would be the dream.

... You do realize plenty of blue collar jobs can pay 6 figures right?
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dolomedes posted...

IloveJesus posted...

If I could get white collar money for a blue collar job, that would be the dream.

Again...

CanuckCowboy posted...

IloveJesus posted...

If I could get white collar money for a blue collar job, that would be the dream.

... You do realize plenty of blue collar jobs can pay 6 figures right?

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CanuckCowboy posted...

Omnislasher posted...

Giant_Aspirin posted...

white because i'd rather work my mind than my body

work your mind while working your blue collar job; it's the perfect scenario

Also this.

Never understood how people figure carpentry and the like doesn't involve the brain. There are hundreds of types of white collar jobs that involve far less brain power than building a house from the ground up.

this is absolutely true.

but i also mean: say your blue collar job requires you to do something relatively rote or mindless, you often have the opportunity to do something like listen to an audiobook at the same time because your mind is free. i love the daily newspaper crossword.

CanuckCowboy posted...

dolomedes posted...

IloveJesus posted...

If I could get white collar money for a blue collar job, that would be the dream.

Again...

CanuckCowboy posted...

IloveJesus posted...

If I could get white collar money for a blue collar job, that would be the dream.

... You do realize plenty of blue collar jobs can pay 6 figures right?

Sure, but the vast majority don't.

Pointing out how much the top earners make isn't relevant to most people.
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I've worked multiple blue collar jobs before and didn't really mind the work itself at all

I've worked 1 white collar job and also liked that

I guess my current job is more pink collar with a little blue mixed in, but it's my favourite yet. I hope to stay here for a while
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CanuckCowboy posted...

Omnislasher posted...

Giant_Aspirin posted...

white because i'd rather work my mind than my body

work your mind while working your blue collar job; it's the perfect scenario

Also this.

Never understood how people figure carpentry and the like doesn't involve the brain. There are hundreds of types of white collar jobs that involve far less brain power than building a house from the ground up.

architects are kinda a mix of white and blue imo
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averagejoel posted...

pink collar

what does that fist mean?

blue collar is fun until you hit 40 and have to continue to do physical labor as your health deteriorates. jerk your back wrong one day and you're on disability for the rest of your life, gg
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KazGT6 posted...

what does that fist mean?

it's a symbol of solidarity among the working class. it can also be used as a sort of salute
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IloveJesus posted...

CanuckCowboy posted...

dolomedes posted...

IloveJesus posted...

If I could get white collar money for a blue collar job, that would be the dream.

Again...

CanuckCowboy posted...

IloveJesus posted...

If I could get white collar money for a blue collar job, that would be the dream.

... You do realize plenty of blue collar jobs can pay 6 figures right?

Sure, but the vast majority don't.

Pointing out how much the top earners make isn't relevant to most people.

The vast majority of white collar workers don't either. So....

Besides rig pigs at the bottom can make 100k a year. Experienced construction workers (even without any tickets) can make that much as well. Underwater welders make a lot more. Any pipeline welder will make a lot more. Boilermakers can make a mint.

The average office worker makes way less than 6 figures... Not sure how this is a distinct difference for you.
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averagejoel posted...

KazGT6 posted...

what does that fist mean?

it's a symbol of solidarity among the working class. it can also be used as a sort of salute

isn't that also the symbol for the howard stern show?

Romulox28 posted...

disability for the rest of your life

for many that's the dream

averagejoel posted...

architects are kinda a mix of white and blue imo

Eh I feel like architects are almost totally white collar. But a carpenter running a site has to grasp everything the architect and engineer wants and be able to make it happen practically and physically.

Architects I'd call 85% white collar. A carpenter running a crew and implementing the plans and designs is about 60/40 in favour of blue Imo.
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KazGT6 posted...

averagejoel posted...

KazGT6 posted...

what does that fist mean?

it's a symbol of solidarity among the working class. it can also be used as a sort of salute

isn't that also the symbol for the howard stern show?

I have no clue
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CanuckCowboy posted...

Never understood how people figure carpentry and the like doesn't involve the brain.

that's a good point, which makes my comment above a little ignorant as that job absolutely requires mental capacity.

i think a more accurate definition would be

white collar = office
blue collar = no office

agree?
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Giant_Aspirin posted...

CanuckCowboy posted...

Never understood how people figure carpentry and the like doesn't involve the brain.

that's a good point, which makes my comment above a little ignorant as that job absolutely requires mental capacity.

i think a more accurate definition would be

white collar = office
blue collar = no office

agree?

Yep fully agree. I'd also agree on a basis of necessity/regularity of physical labour.
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Omnislasher posted...

but i also mean: say your blue collar job requires you to do something relatively rote or mindless, you often have the opportunity to do something like listen to an audiobook at the same time because your mind is free. i love the daily newspaper crossword.

Definitely true. Having some music or decent talk radio or a podcast going is so much better than just the sounds of silence / equipment running.

Edit-this also applies to my job under the right circumstances though. Hence the equipment. If you're using a hammer drill you can't really listen to much but sometimes a job site is relatively quiet.

Edit-my earlier edit is solely due to misreading your post and seeing blue as white the second time around. Yeesh.
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The more I work white collar, the more I wonder about blue collar.
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bluezero posted...

The more I work white collar, the more I wonder about blue collar.

Pretty much any of the issues with white collar jobs still exist in blue collar jobs as far as the politics of the workplace and other bs. That said it does seem less common aside from manufacturing plants. Those are the worst of both worlds imo and I've worked at a few.
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Blue collar jobs are fucking brutal. A lot of people working these do brutal labor in dangerous conditions all day then go hit the bars. Talk about living.
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The freedom of a blue collar job is nice, but it can wear on you physically. I'm starting to lean more towards white collar work as I get older.
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REMercsChamp posted...

Blue collar jobs are fucking brutal. A lot of people working these do brutal labor in dangerous conditions all day then go hit the bars. Talk about living.

Cool stereotypes buds.

Not every trade is roofing.
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REMercsChamp posted...

Blue collar jobs are fucking brutal. A lot of people working these do brutal labor in dangerous conditions all day then go hit the bars. Talk about living.

Yeah its pretty awesome

Near death experiences on the job are fun to bond over.
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CanuckCowboy posted...

REMercsChamp posted...

Blue collar jobs are fucking brutal. A lot of people working these do brutal labor in dangerous conditions all day then go hit the bars. Talk about living.

Cool stereotypes buds.

Not every trade is roofing.

Sure, you've also got:

- Masonry
- Lines workers
- Plumbers
- Construction Workers
- Sewer workers
- And many more!

Also meet that criteria
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CanuckCowboy posted...

IloveJesus posted...

If I could get white collar money for a blue collar job, that would be the dream.

... You do realize plenty of blue collar jobs can pay 6 figures right?

The overwhelming majority of blue collar jobs do NOT pay six figures, and most of them pay less than office jobs. Hammer-swinging is generally not paid that well. Don't say things like "plenty" without some sort of benchmark. Vague, Facebook-worthy statements like that are worth less than shit.

- Nearly every "100K+" job does not actually pay that. Unions and companies love to say that shit, but the truth is most of the time you're either working 6 days a week, 10-12 hours a day, or waiting between contracts. They love to give their yearly estimations based upon if you worked full time.

- The blue collar jobs that ACTUALLY pay "100k+" are typically highly specialized, extremely hazardous, are exceedingly rare, or have some other catch. If those idiots claiming that rig pig laborers make 100k a year were right, there would be a whole lot more people doing it, and a lot of companies probably not making ends meet. You also wouldn't hear a peep about people not being able to afford homes if that kind of money was available - that or more likely, prices would be even higher.

I actually used to be a hammer swinger. Changed careers to safety and now I make significantly more, for easier work, and I actually make a difference. I also regularly work in the Alberta oilsands, and have yet to meet anyone who has previously, or currently makes 100k+ that is on the tools. It's always the guys who are in the offices.

I'm closing in on the 100k a year, but it's a stupid amount of work I do.
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WaffIeElite posted...

The overwhelming majority of blue collar jobs do NOT pay six figures,

Same for jobs in general. You're reaching.

WaffIeElite posted...

and most of them pay less than office jobs.

Just plain incorrect.
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Neither. I wear scrubs
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grey collar jobs for me

or wherever engineering fits, i'm usually in the office but sometimes i have to go interact with machinery in the shop floor.

As someone who works a physical demanding job I would gladly prefer white collar. When I am done with my shift I'm usually too tired to do anything. Also I am a pretty thin guy and it is hard to put on weight while working that much. Luckily I have split days off now so I usually I'm not nearly worn out.

CanuckCowboy posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

The overwhelming majority of blue collar jobs do NOT pay six figures,

Same for jobs in general. You're reaching.

WaffIeElite posted...

and most of them pay less than office jobs.

Just plain incorrect.

You would be wrong.
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WaffIeElite posted...

CanuckCowboy posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

The overwhelming majority of blue collar jobs do NOT pay six figures,

Same for jobs in general. You're reaching.

WaffIeElite posted...

and most of them pay less than office jobs.

Just plain incorrect.

You would be wrong.

Oh most jobs outside blue collar pay 100k a year? Weird how the average income is so low in that case.

And most office jobs pay more than 25-34 an hour like any journeyman carpenter makes? Or even 20+ like a decent moderately experienced labourer makes?

You're ignorant man.

I've cleared 13k a month doing demo and cladding and I've go no tickets. That was a boomtime in a northern area but the point remains.
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CanuckCowboy posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

CanuckCowboy posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

The overwhelming majority of blue collar jobs do NOT pay six figures,

Same for jobs in general. You're reaching.

WaffIeElite posted...

and most of them pay less than office jobs.

Just plain incorrect.

You would be wrong.

Oh most jobs outside blue collar pay 100k a year? Weird how the average income is so low in that case.

And most office jobs pay more than 25-34 an hour like any journeyman carpenter makes? Or even 20+ like a decent moderately experienced labourer makes?

You're ignorant man.

I've cleared 13k a month doing demo and cladding and I've go no tickets. That was a boomtime in a northern area but the point remains.

Wow you're ignorant. Good job. You even literally said what I did, saying it was boom time. That's the whole point of that shit - people say you get paid really well, but contracts are not consistent.
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WaffIeElite posted...

CanuckCowboy posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

CanuckCowboy posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

The overwhelming majority of blue collar jobs do NOT pay six figures,

Same for jobs in general. You're reaching.

WaffIeElite posted...

and most of them pay less than office jobs.

Just plain incorrect.

You would be wrong.

Oh most jobs outside blue collar pay 100k a year? Weird how the average income is so low in that case.

And most office jobs pay more than 25-34 an hour like any journeyman carpenter makes? Or even 20+ like a decent moderately experienced labourer makes?

You're ignorant man.

I've cleared 13k a month doing demo and cladding and I've go no tickets. That was a boomtime in a northern area but the point remains.

Wow you're ignorant. Good job. You even literally said what I did, saying it was boom time. That's the whole point of that shit - people say you get paid really well, but contracts are not consistent.

He's just got a chip on his shoulder and is in strong denial that white collar tends to pay more.

No point arguing with him, he won't budge.
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REMercsChamp posted...

Blue collar jobs are fucking brutal. A lot of people working these do brutal labor in dangerous conditions all day then go hit the bars. Talk about living.

I'm a pest control technician and I work Mon-Fri, always have weekends off. Most of my work day is driving around listening to podcasts, walking around rich people's yards and houses, and spraying low-dosage chemicals onto the floors of cool office buildings. I get home almost everyday by 3:30pm, at which point I relax, eat lunch, and watch cartoons. I make enough to live comfortably in my apartment and support my hobbies while me and my fiancee save for our wedding.

Idk what you do for a living but it's not my job so I legitimately feel bad for you lol.
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Give me a physical task to do all day long while I listen to an MP3 player and I'm golden.

Sit me at a desk and put a bunch of paperwork in front of me and I'll have an anxiety attack.

WaffIeElite posted...

I also regularly work in the Alberta oilsands

is that hard on the conscience at all?

there are a many blue collar job that are absolutely terrible. the worst blue collar jobs are almost always worse than the worst white collar jobs.

this thread is mostly focusing on some pretty advanced and specialized blue collars jobs, but that is far from the majority, especially globally.
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You can USUALLY either have a slim wallet and a slim ass or a fat wallet and a fat ass.

If you have a desk job, you need to work out too much to stay in shape. I want FAMILY TIME. I like that my actual job IS my exercise.

Blue collar. It's what I do right now anyway.
An office job would kill me. Everyone I know with one somehow functions just fine in them but considering I've seen three different of those people's jobs over the years and they literally work in a place that's like a Dilbert setting come to life. That they all talk about their little office politics and drama. Sitting all day. Looking at screens or in meetings all day that are nothing but pointless circle jerks for management to trade idiotic ideas and pat themselves on their backs.
I mean I get it. It's better money.
But I would still rather make 25k a year than 90k is that's what you have to deal with. Not to mention all the debt and years in college to get there. No thank you.
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MedeaLysistrata posted...

this thread is mostly focusing on some pretty advanced and specialized blue collars jobs, but that is far from the majority, especially globally.

This really isn't true. The types of blue collar jobs where your either doing disgusting or dangerous are the specialized, uncommon ones. Majority of blue collar jobs are things like plumbing, mechanics, building maintenance, HVAC, contracting, landscaping, etc... That's the norm, not bullshit like mining and oil drilling.
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