irc333 Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 I recall being out on a date with a woman, and she found out what I do for work. I said I work from home doing I.T. related stuff. Apparently, some people are under the impression, that a "work at home" job isn't a REAL job, though they are aware that some kind of income may be derived from it....they don't consider any job where you wake up at 6 am, get dressed, showered (not in that order), have breakfast, and join the morning rat race. During our date, she couldn't wrap her mind around it and asked, "You don't plan on doing that the rest of your life, do you?" (By the way, she was a nanny) Anyhow, women, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you find out a guy you started seeing works from home?
Disenchantedly Yours Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Anyhow, women, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you find out a guy you started seeing works from home? Interesting. To me, when someone works from home, it's usually because their company trusts them enough to allow them to get their work done there. Which to me says they actually have a good work ethic! Especially in the IT field!
Els Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 If you are genuinely working from home (I recall you mentioning in a post that you were on benefits?) then I don't see why anyone sane would have a problem with it.
Treasa Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Jealousy. I also work in IT and I want a gig like that. Putting that aside, though, I wouldn't care. If just means he won't bitch and moan about a horrible commute. ETA: I train, so working from home isn't really reasonable for me anyway.
Author irc333 Posted December 30, 2012 Author Posted December 30, 2012 Jealousy. I also work in IT and I want a gig like that. Putting that aside, though, I wouldn't care. If just means he won't bitch and moan about a horrible commute. ETA: I train, so working from home isn't really reasonable for me anyway. Actually, a TRAINING position is probably the most IDEAL work at home job, esp in IT. With the proper remote software (Go to meeting, etc), the possibilities are limitless. 1
HeavenOrHell Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 If I met someone who worked from home, it would be irrelevant to me, don't care either way. I recall being out on a date with a woman, and she found out what I do for work. I said I work from home doing I.T. related stuff. Apparently, some people are under the impression, that a "work at home" job isn't a REAL job, though they are aware that some kind of income may be derived from it....they don't consider any job where you wake up at 6 am, get dressed, showered (not in that order), have breakfast, and join the morning rat race. During our date, she couldn't wrap her mind around it and asked, "You don't plan on doing that the rest of your life, do you?" (By the way, she was a nanny) Anyhow, women, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you find out a guy you started seeing works from home? 1
zebracolors Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 In a way I can't blame anyone for being skeptical about those work-from-home jobs, sometimes they are a complete scam actually, but you shouldn't have to prove its a legit job, though. As for me, I don't feel like Im in much of a position to judge anyone else's jobs, so that wouldn't be a dealbreaker. But knowing some are scams, I'd just what ask what kind of work he does, and maybe how long he's been doing it.
Balzac Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Not a woman here but I think this topic is gender neutral. I'd be thinking, home office deduct on 1040, no cost for business attire, commuting, fancy lunches, all of the advantages of actually being at home such as a dog but not paying for a dog walker. It's bliss if one can enjoy working from home. 1
KathyM Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 You shouldn't call it "work from home". That has a negative connotation. Tell women you are self employed with your own computer business. That is true, and much more impressive. My husband and I also have our own business and have our office at home. My husband does the field work outside in the community, and I do the office work at home (although I am only here a portion of the time and also go to classes and an internship). Tell the woman you are self employed with your own computer company. It sounds better, and will be received better by her. 1
Balzac Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) I'm pretty much all about honesty. Unless he's got his own business, you're proposing he tell a lie. In some circumstances it can be a confusing arrangement, professional athlete is one of those circumstances. Another can be emergency room physician. Some folks have an "enterprise" and all income and contracts are with that enterprise. He's got a more stable income stream than a writer for The New Yorker! Often they work from home, many do it for an entire career. IT is more common but hey, working from home is great! Edited December 30, 2012 by Balzac 1
KathyM Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 I'm pretty much all about honesty. Unless he's got his own business, you're proposing he tell a lie. In some circumstances it can be a confusing arrangement, professional athlete is one of those circumstances. Another can be emergency room physician. Some folks have an "enterprise" and all income and contracts are with that enterprise. He's got a more stable income stream than a writer for The New Yorker! Often they work from home, many do it for an entire career. IT is more common but hey, working from home is great! No, I'm not proposing he lie. He DOES have his own business--a computer business.
OpenBook Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Anyhow, women, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you find out a guy you started seeing works from home? I'd think (and probably say) "Sweet! Nice work if you can get it." I'm a little puzzled by exactly what your date finds objectionable about that kind of gig. Did you ask her?
Balzac Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Hey KathyM it's clear you have more info than I do. I'm just following logical thinking, no pejorative against you! Maybe OP will jump in and clarify. As I stated it can be a complicated arrangement. Your situation sounds ideal, congrats on that.
KathyM Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Hey KathyM it's clear you have more info than I do. I'm just following logical thinking, no pejorative against you! Maybe OP will jump in and clarify. As I stated it can be a complicated arrangement. Your situation sounds ideal, congrats on that. If computer work from home is how he makes his living, either in total or in part, it can be called a business, and he is considered to be self employed if he has no other outside job.
Mrlonelyone Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Right now I am building up a private tutoring business, and working on a MS Thesis in theoretical astrophysics. (talk about people not being able to wrap their mind around something.) On both I can, if I choose work from home. My experience has been that what they are looking for is the security of at least one paycheck. When you work for your own professional business or on a contract basis you don't have that. To such people a corporate job on salary with benefits is way better than being master of your own domain. It's all a matter of perspective. If they judge you for working from home, then they aren't worthy of your attention. Next'em! 1
Ruby Slippers Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 I agree with Kathy that you can find a more interesting way to say it other than "work from home". I work from home, too (or wherever I want), and have been doing so for most of the past 7 years. I'm running a start-up business that is doing very well - and THIS is what I tell people, not that I "work from home". I think a lot of people have a negative reaction to "work from home" because some who do that are kind of lazy about it and just barely get by. I'd love to date a guy who also works from home, provided he's not the loafer type. We could have work dates at each other's places, go to lunch in the middle of the day sometimes, and share tips for staying motivated while working in our pajamas 1
MoreThanThat Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Wow, I'd never have thought this could be an issue for anyone. Given the economic situation etc, there is no greater stability working on site for a company versus at home. In my own circle, fewer people are having financial issues among those who work from home since even if they lose a full-time gig, they can often pick up multiple part-time ones (often making more money). My exh had a once very successful bricks and mortar business that nose-dived after 15 years over a period of months. He then took a job and they closed after he'd been there 2 years. My situation? Income has gone up through this same time. In any event, on a first date or even second one with someone who MAY have an issue with it, is it even necessary to go there? Isn't saying you work in IT enough? 2
Balzac Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 The funniest part of OP's share was the girl working as a nanny. I'm all for nannies, they are a necessary factor for many. The fact that she could not wrap her mind around his employment situation speaks to her life experience or low intellect or both. Possibly her father had one corporate employer his entire career? In the grand scheme of dating n mating, economic fact is that a majority of households require two income streams. Working as a nanny is all fine and good but in households that can afford FT help, it is likely not the average income level. Her POV is likely skewed to what she's living. Funny how that works. 1
OpenBook Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 I think a lot of people have a negative reaction to "work from home" because some who do that are kind of lazy about it and just barely get by. Really?? It always impressed me as a good thing, as the company they work for trusts them enough to complete their work remotely without having to look over their shoulder all the time at the company's office site. Am I wrong? Do most people out there assume you're lazy if you work from home?
MoreThanThat Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Just as an fyi - in our training materials for people who work for my companies, we have an orientation section. Many people working for me have not worked from home before and I've found it useful to arm them with some insight on handling things. One of the tips we give - which does apply to dating - is to tell people you telecommute versus working from home. 2
Balzac Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) "Most people" hmmmm. What I can say is that there are people in the dating community that have a need to hear the standard corporate title. I'm certain that many of that sector would react negatively to "consultant" as in McKinsey or Accenture type jobs. Often "consultant" is interpreted as a euphemism for "used to have a real job". I believe much of this judgement is about youthful inexperience. It's wacky. Many people take a two year contract in a research lab prior to say, medical school, it's never a long term gig, but how many general knowledge dating pool candidates understand that? Edited December 30, 2012 by Balzac Typo fat fingers
Andy_K Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 I work from home. One day a week I go into the office of the company I work for, the rest of the time I do the same work at home. If your arrangement is similar, you can call it telecommuting if you want it to sound more serious than 'working from home'. I've never had a response like the one you've outlined, although I'll concede it's possible some girls have thought it but not let on any reaction. Don't say you run your own computer business from home unless you are actually entirely self-employed. 2
Balzac Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 There are plenty of adults whose work is No Such Agency and they often are only able to reveal vague employment. Like I've stated, it's about life experience of the potential partner. High stakes security employment is what it is.
GirlontheLam Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 I work from home, but I am not self employed. Many people seem to assume that I run my own consulting company, but I work for one, not own it.
OpenBook Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Just as an fyi - in our training materials for people who work for my companies, we have an orientation section. Many people working for me have not worked from home before and I've found it useful to arm them with some insight on handling things. One of the tips we give - which does apply to dating - is to tell people you telecommute versus working from home. Why do you advise that? What's the reason behind it? What's wrong with saying "I work from home"?
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