Homemaking, Jobhunting Lady of Leisure
Many people define themselves by the jobs they do. Their work-self forms the major part of their being, and once stripped of this identify, they find it difficult to define themselves in some other way.
Personally, I think of myself as someone who isn’t primarily defined by my job. Work is just something I did to pay the bills, so that it gives me the means to do what I really enjoy. This was tested within the first week of my finishing work.
While waiting to get a relaxing massage at a spa, I had to complete a slew of questions on my health and lifestyle and got to the personal particulars section. I stopped at 'Occupation' and my first thought was: why do they need to know your occupation in order to give you a massage? OK, maybe they need to know the nature of your job so they can tailor the type of massage. Second thought: so what do I write? Do I say 'unemployed'? Do I call myself a 'homemaker' now? Do people still say 'housewife' even? Does 'looking for a job' qualify as an occupation? Finally, after ten seconds of mulling, I decided to go with the implied non-of-your-business answer and put a dash in the 'Occupation' field. Right, so much for not being defined by my job. Why did I find it so hard to declare unemployment as my current occupation on paper?
Test number two came a month later when I had to complete an immigration arrival card. Once again faced with the 'Occupation' field, I hesitated for a moment. This time I doubt I would be able to get away with a dash so I squared my shoulders and wrote 'unemployed'. The immigration officer at the counter glanced through my card and went straight for the formal declaration of unemployment. I explained simply, "GFC. I was retrenched." The officer smiled and said, "Oh that sucks. But never mind, enjoy this time while you can because when you get your next job, you’re not going to be able to get this type of time off anymore."
I am now wondering if I could get away with 'lady of leisure' the next time I have to complete the 'Occupation' field in a form...
While waiting to get a relaxing massage at a spa, I had to complete a slew of questions on my health and lifestyle and got to the personal particulars section. I stopped at 'Occupation' and my first thought was: why do they need to know your occupation in order to give you a massage? OK, maybe they need to know the nature of your job so they can tailor the type of massage. Second thought: so what do I write? Do I say 'unemployed'? Do I call myself a 'homemaker' now? Do people still say 'housewife' even? Does 'looking for a job' qualify as an occupation? Finally, after ten seconds of mulling, I decided to go with the implied non-of-your-business answer and put a dash in the 'Occupation' field. Right, so much for not being defined by my job. Why did I find it so hard to declare unemployment as my current occupation on paper?
Test number two came a month later when I had to complete an immigration arrival card. Once again faced with the 'Occupation' field, I hesitated for a moment. This time I doubt I would be able to get away with a dash so I squared my shoulders and wrote 'unemployed'. The immigration officer at the counter glanced through my card and went straight for the formal declaration of unemployment. I explained simply, "GFC. I was retrenched." The officer smiled and said, "Oh that sucks. But never mind, enjoy this time while you can because when you get your next job, you’re not going to be able to get this type of time off anymore."
I am now wondering if I could get away with 'lady of leisure' the next time I have to complete the 'Occupation' field in a form...
Here Is The Writer : bobo-gal
bobo-gal is a Sydney-based bourgeoisie-bohemian masquerading as a corporate suit in financial services for the last 12 years. She has been constantly dreaming of having a flea market stall selling crafts and baked goods, and trawling auction houses for vintage furniture to re-sell to city workers with too much money and too little time. However, with her imminent departure from her job in the city, she might soon be just bo-gal, having to drop the bourgeoisie portion of her name as she dabbles in reupholstering chairs.
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