It’s also largely intellectual activity, which is considerably more fatiguing than routine physical tasks. Jobs in information technology might look a lot easier than manual labor to an outside observer, but they’re not. Burnout sets in much faster...
Has Matt ever worked full-time in a factory or as a cashier at a busy grocery store? Nobody is disputing that intellectual work is challenging, but most physical labor involves a level of soul-sucking tedium and repetition that I'd suspect anyone with a college-to-cubicle story can't even imagine.
I'd add that my experience is that these environments are also often ruled with a totalitarianism that makes the worst office job look positively cozy.
I worked at McDonalds for $5.15/hour for a year in high school. I was satisfied because it was better than working as a bagger for the same wage, minus "union dues."
These jobs aren't so terrible as they are numbing. I don't remember hating these places, I don't remember them at all. I don't remember much of my youth before 18. That part of my life is simply gone.
I was a cashier for two years at two different places, then was a checkout supervisor for one. Ran a meat counter, worked the floor at a Sam's club and a Home Depot, and ran a restaurant, all before the age of 22.
One day I was having a discussion with a cashier in my neighborhoord. A kind woman in her fifties, who started this job before I was born. She used to be always cheerful and serviable, but not on that particular day. The conversation went like this :
"- What's going on ?"
"- I had an awful streak of horrible clients today, it really got me down"
"- Ah... Yes, I know what you're talking about, I used to be a cashier myself at X last year and some clients were just unbearable, I understand your pain."
"- Sure, but I'm not quitting my job in 6 months."
"- ..."
I just read your bio on a poker site. I saw that The Big Lebowski is your favorite movie. As someone a bit younger than you and who had his fair share of dirty jobs as well, I suggest you to rewatch another Cohen brothers classic : Barton Fink. Hell is not Hell when you're only a guest.
It's hard to know whether you're going to be a guest or not. Also, the cashier you reference chose to be a permanent cashier. She's nothing more than the product of her own decisions in response to the environment around her.
Has Matt ever worked full-time in a factory or as a cashier at a busy grocery store? Nobody is disputing that intellectual work is challenging, but most physical labor involves a level of soul-sucking tedium and repetition that I'd suspect anyone with a college-to-cubicle story can't even imagine.
I'd add that my experience is that these environments are also often ruled with a totalitarianism that makes the worst office job look positively cozy.