Are all artsy people flighty, and bad at managing their lives?

Question

I have a friend who works in theatre. He's a tech guy, not an actor. I understand that theatre types don't always have steady work but he still seems pretty lazy to me. Don't theatre people do other jobs to support themselves when they have to? He doesn't - at age 30 he lives with his family and just started working on a show after 3 months of sitting around (I know for a fact they wish he would find stability and leave the nest). Or he's always ending up in some sketchy sublease situation with strangers as roommates - and often leaves owing them money. He prowls the net and the bars practically all the time trying to hook up. He's a smart guy and I just don't get it. He's always talking about all the things he wants (house, relationship, stability) but he lives in the clouds and is doing little to get ahead. I find myself taking his calls less and less - he's more like comic relief for me anymore than an all-around friend. Is this the typical artsy personality?

Answer 1

Don't generalize. I dated a woman who is a dancer and now she owns a dance studio. He sounds like a real winner in my book. :(

Answer 2

I think it's quite typical for the "artsy" types. I'm in college, and in my experience, all the art & theatre majors I've met ARE the lazy bums who don't have jobs, still live at home, and have no real future plans. They seem to think they're special.....god's gift to us, and that they should just be able to do their art without having to live life like the rest of us. Personally, I'm tired of them bumming money, rides, food, etc. from me. I say, get a job! Get a life! Get some goals! And stop di*king around!

Am I bitter? Perhaps. But BOY that felt good to say!

Answer 3

You find these people everywhere.