I love my job. Seriously, I’m one of those people who says I’d still work if I won the lottery. What I’d do is vary where I worked, as I’d use my newfound wealth to travel the globe, one time zone at a time, because I hate jet lag.
But, for the past couple of days, I haven’t wanted to do any work. I’m visiting the in-laws in upstate NY, but staying in an Airbnb so that I can work undisturbed and so that my children won’t disturb their grandparents. But, working undisturbed this morning meant making numerous comments on Facebook, eating a donut, thinking about eating one of my children’s donuts, drinking bubble water and being annoyed that it’s not my favorite bubble water. (Yes, I’m a water snob. Living in Europe for 8 years will do that to you.)
To keep reading, click here: What Happens When I Don’t Want to Work.
Sorry, it’s not inspirational.
This article is akin to all the people on Facebook that post pictures of what they ate for breakfast today.
^this. I at least hoped this article would have tips for how to make yourself useful when you’re not having a terribly productive day (which does happen to all of us).
Requiring English proficiency of immigrants ignores the basic reality that some of the jobs that immigrants do — migrant agricultural labor, landscaping, entry-level construction, cheap household/childcare/housekeeping/restaurant help, etc. — are jobs that native-born, English-speaking, Americans are not willing to do (at least in the numbers required) and do not require fluency in English. Historically, immigrants achieve language proficiency in a recognized pattern. The immigrants themselves may never become totally fluent in the language of their new country. Their children will be bilingual. Their children’s children — grandchildren of the original immigrants — will have English as their first language, and may not even be fluent in the language of their grandparents.
There are different types of visas, and this proposal is for permanent residency status. As I said, I’d like to see an opportunity to have people be given a chance to learn English–give them 5 years to reach a B1 level and provide free or cheap classes for them to do so.
But, not learning english at all traps you into dead end jobs in the US. I don’t like it when people are trapped.
jobs that native-born, English-speaking, Americans are not willing to do
Should be, “jobs that native-born, English-speaking, Americans are not willing to do for the wages that are offered now.”
As in, we should not require wages to rise to the level required.
The language requirement would also shut out many people who are actually quite educated and talented. I know a Pakistani who was a professor back in Pakistan, a Mexican lady who was a nurse in Mexico, and a French-speaking Canadian who is the American equivalent of a Master Carpenter. None of these folks speak English proficiently but all of them are highly educated/skilled.
Assuming that not speaking English = lack of intelligence or skills is incredibly short sighted and, quite frankly, arrogant.
I’m certainly not assuming that lack of English=lack of intelligence. I’m facing the fact that no matter how awesome and talented and skilled the Mexican nurse is, if she doesn’t speak English to a high level, she’s going to be unemployable as a nurse in the US. I believe the licensing exam is only available in English, so even if she could find a job that was 100 percent Spanish speaking, she wouldn’t be licensed if she couldn’t speak English.
It’s nothing to do with arrogance and everything to do with practicality. If you don’t speak English in the US, you are severely limited in the jobs you can do.
Greetings from Central NY – Wegman’s territory. Hope you are enjoying your stay in the area!
I say I’m here to visit the inlaws, but it’s really to visit Wegmans.
I made a comment on the Inc.com site but I will add one here, also. First I hope you enjoyed the day off and you Airbub is great.
Second, I am glad you made a comment on requirement for English speaking and a need to develop speaking English within a 5 year period which is almost the same time period in the citizenship process. I mention it here because those rally against learning to speak and read English, claim loss of culture and harassment. You have lived abroad and adapted to other countries but retained American ideas.
Problem is we don’t have a national language needed for anything communications but all forms in paperwork are in English with ready multiple translations. So by asking form people to learn English in both reading and speaking in not harassment . We also have translator tech available which helps with standard sentences.
I started a petition on Change.org to make English a standard across the nation with no offense to anyone, if anyone wants to sign. After all, English is the requisite language in a lot of technology.
excellent post
Thanks for sharing it.