When your on the dole and people ask you what you do

Orla K

What do you say? Normally I say I don't have a job at the moment but I've found their attitude to me completely changes. I'll describe the most memorable time it happened.

I went to give blood, sat down, needle in arm. It was one of the 1st questions she asked me, I said what I normally say and her face just changes, she put on this sour face and gave me a dirty look out of the corner of her eye. She then starts to ask me a load of questions about why I'm unemployed and getting a job. The question that sticks out in my head the most is 'Why don't you get a part time job?' I explained to her if I did get a part time job I would be in a worse conditions financially. This seemed to really annoy her because she didn't say anything for the next ten minutes. Also she kept on trying to find out why I was unemployed, I didn't want to tell her the main reason(it's very personal) and what I did tell her wasn't a good enough reason.

My blood is really slow it takes a normal person 10-15minutes it takes me about 25-30minutes, that's a long time when your talking to someone who is pissed off and in control of a needle in your arm.

Whenever someone asks what I do, I hate it because most of the time they don't like my answer. I'm thinking about making up a job now.

PurpleBerry

Oh Orla that's terrible, I'm really sorry to hear that. You shouldn't have had to put up with intrusive questions about why you don't have a job, especially in times like these where more and more people are losing their jobs every day due to circumstances beyond their control.

If a stranger was to ask me what I did I would tell them what my profession is, and not mention whether I am currently employed or not, not if it isn't any of their business. If extended family members ask how my job is going I do tell them that I was let go. The company decided to scale things down in Ireland and try to move them over to Romania/Bulgaria, what could I do?

I would suggest if you are asked a rude question like "Why don't you get a part-time job even?" maybe reply with "Oh, I am looking for any job I can get but I'm afraid there isn't anything at all suitable". Which is true for you so you're not lying.

Or if you're in that situation again maybe tell the person that you're a _________ (whatever your profession is) and if they ask specific questions about where you work you could answer them as if you were still in your most recent position.

Don't forget, if someone is just being nosey then you don't have to tell them anything. There are people out there who think they have a right to know everything about you. I used to get that from people. "Where are you from?" If I answered with where I live they might try again. "No, where are you originally from?" I used to feel pressure to answer but not anymore. It's up to me to decide how much information you get, not you Stranger. I've answered you with as much information as I feel comfortable answering so asking me again isn't going to get you anywhere.

Sorry for the long post I just hate to hear of people being intimidated like you were.

Orla K

I get the impression from some people that they think I want to be on the dole! The only reason this one sticks out in my head is because I couldn't just walk away, I was stuck there trying to come up with something else to talk about, oddly I asked her a load of non-personal questions. I will say that she was professional and did everything that was medical related right.

Ticktactoe

Its fine for her, the one with the job. I have a feeling from what you were saying that she is in her mid years and prob in that job for years... funnily enough she prob has no clue how hard it is to get a job and thinks that anybody unemployed are just lazy. It comes down to ignorance and been narrow minded. :mad: :mad:
Its good we dont pass any remarks on people like her!

Orla K

Ticktactoe wrote: »

I have a feeling from what you were saying that she is in her mid years and prob in that job for years...

Your right about the mid years! I don't know how long she was doing it because I didn't ask.

IsThatSo?

Unpleasant situation, thats for sure

I would be very tempted, especially if it was someone making "polite" conversation and I didn't know them, to go the smart a$$ route:

A guy could say:

I am heavily involved in a national AI project and donate a significant amount of my time, energy and resources to this. Are you interested in this kind of work??

(AI as in artifical insemination, not artificial intelligence)

Genderless one:

I work for the Government and am not free to discuss my position or responsibilities (technically not a lie like the first one was)



I dislike rude people :mad:

Sephiroth_dude

I just tell them the truth,Im not ashamed of being unemployed im doing my best to get re-employed.

schween

Snobbery is a terrible disease in this country.

mikemac

Orla K wrote: »

It was one of the 1st questions she asked me, I said what I normally say and her face just changes, she put on this sour face and gave me a dirty look out of the corner of her eye.

Next time you say it's none of her business and unless she works for the Revenue Commisioners and has ID to prove this you ain't saying.

schween wrote: »

Snobbery is a terrible disease in this country.

Snobbery?, she is a nurse. While it's a worthwhile vocation/profession it's not exactly a job you can look down on others from.