You gotta work, dammit

[Droopy]

I just got done talking to an old friend of mine. I've known him for 20 years, ever since we were teenagers. He has never held down a job for more than a couple of months. As far as I know he hasn't worked in 7 years. He's never had his own place. Still lives with his parents. But he has managed to make a kid for which his parents pay his child support for him. His child is his parents' only grandchild.

Disclaimer here: I know people fall on hard times and I know some people are unable to work. I'm cool with you guys. But this guy is an able-bodied, 34 year old. There's nothing wrong with him besides what appears to be terminal laziness.

He says he can't get a job because he can't drive. He says he can't drive because his license has been suspended due to past child support that he owes. That is just an excuse and a very lame one. We have public transportation here and he lives within a mile of about 30 places he could work at. He only owes $180 in back child support and what it would take at the BMV to get his license renewed.

So I was talking to him tonight and he swears he can make a living on Craigslist and eBay if only he had the start-up capital. Read: "Droopy give me some money." Fuck that. I told him to get a damn job and then maybe he would have his start-up capital. That was the end of the conversation.

I just did my taxes today and last year I made the most money of my life. It did not come easy. It took 11 years of working in my profession to get here and nearly 20 years in the work force. And I still bust my ass every night. You gotta work, dammit. Nothing comes easy in life unless you are very lucky.

[leeroysphitz]

1. Your buddy has a pretty sweet deal.

:hide:

[Droopy]

3. Apparently

He doesn't seem to feel an urge to change his life.

[Skittles]

2. I have a friend like that

not quite that bad but she just goes from job to job, doesn't save money, always behind on her rent and bills - yet she doesn't seem to worry about it - she is a disaster waiting to happen. I agree with you - you need to work, be on time, not call in sick, that kind of thing.

[Droopy]

5. I lived like that when I was 22

But at least I had my own place. This guy doesn't even want to try.

[Skittles]

6. lol

when I was 22 I had already done four years in the military - I grew up fast :D

[Droopy]

8. Yeah, I hear that military will make an adult out of you quickly

I've never served. I did try to enlist one time when I was young, but they said I was too damn fat :). I'm glad I didn't do it now. I was a head case between the ages of 20 and 30. That would have not worked well in the military.

[Wcross]

4. "Give me some money"? He isn't a friend of yours.

I am willing to bet you NEVER see him when he has money, right? He only comes around when he is down on his luck?
We all know someone like that.

[Droopy]

7. He talks to me online quite a bit

But you are right in that I have helped him out in the past with cash and I'm learning to see my own weakness in that I was suckered into being taken advantage of. But from now on there's going to be no more of that. Just tough love.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. My dear Droopy!

I'm with you...tough love indeed!

He's a leech...

You're a great guy, and you don't need his BS in your life...

Congrats on making more money than you ever have!

:toast:

[Generic Brad]

10. I have had friends worse than that

I know of at least three guys who have pulled that crap on their wives -- two of them for as long as twenty years. Did I mention that all three are now divorced and never get to see their kids?