Monday, April 12, 2010

drive by guilt trip

I'm hosting a big event for my program this week and I've been crazy-busy lately trying to get everything ready in time.  This means long hours at work and no time for me.  Last Thursday, another day that I stayed late at work, I was waiting for a bus at the Pentagon.  Because it was way past rush hour, there weren't too many people waiting for a bus at that time.  I was in the middle of texting the bf when a woman said something to me from a few feet away.

Me:  I'm sorry but what did you say? 


Lady: I asked you if you just got off from work.


Me: Yes, I did.


Lady: You're so lucky.  Must be nice to have a job to get off from.

Me: ????


I was the victim of a drive by guilt trip.  I had no idea who this woman was and had never seen her before but the last thing I expected to be subject to while waiting for the bus is a guilt trip by a complete stranger. 


What she doesn't know is that a key component of my program is case management and my case managers have done an excellent job in finding jobs and job training for the participants that are unemployed. 


What she doesn't know is that I am completely aware of how lucky I am to have a job.  I honestly do think about this every day.  I realize that unemployment is high and I'm certainly fortunate to have a job in this economy.  I'm lucky because I have the capacity in this job to help people who need it.  I'm especially lucky because I love what I do. 


Upon realizing this, I decided to just go about my business.


Guilt trip over. 

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I suspect the person is without a job because they lack common decency (among other skills which allow you to thrive - or at least muddle through a job)

Good for you for not feeling guilty for too long.

Oh yeah and remember the good ole days when folks didn't advertise they were out of work, but spent their time finding a job!

Malnurtured Snay said...

I'm very grateful to not only have *a* job ...

... but to have TWO.

BTW: your Twitter misses you.

Robyn said...

No fair! I call foul on this bus-stop etiquette. Of course I also subscribe to the no-talking-in-elevators rule, so my public conversation rules might be oddly strict. Still, she knows nothing about you-- just not cool.

Good for you for forgetting about it and going about your day- and good for you for having a job! Sheesh, of all the things to feel guilty about...

I have a similar "drive by guilt trip" though. I buy most of my makeup at Target, and I adore the Jemma Kidd face powder. It's worth the price tag of $22 because it's literally the best thing I've found in that department.

Anyway, while checking me out, the lady at the register looks at the price tag and says "Wow! Must be nice to be able to pay this much for makeup!"

Umm... I'm sorry, aren't you supposed to WANT me to buy your stuff? I'm confused.

Anonymous said...

That's so awkward! I count my blessings every day I have a job that I (mostly) love, but I would hope no one would think to make me feel guilty about it!