Why is it that people who have professional jobs look down on people who work at fast food or low paying jobs?

Question

Trust when i tell you i never wanted to be at a fast food resteraunt. some of us have to do what we have to do while in college to make it. i want that office or desk job that pays more and professional, but some of us arent lucky. But why would you look down on people with those jobs like we arent nothing. You all better hope and pray you dont lose your six figure job and have to do what im doing.

Answer 1

From a young age, we are taught by teachers & parents, that working food service is something that should be avoided. Professional chefs are the only exception. Originally, such things were said to intice children to work hard, study hard, & get good grades. However, it's in the nature of man to dump on someone, so we choose people who have to do more work for less pay. They are treated like mules & looked upon as jackasses of society. Even fast-food bosses/managers treat their co-workers like crap. In the end, it all boils down to a powertrip on a false ego based on nothing more than financial status.

Answer 2

I used to work at a restaurant. I now have a job that pays a bit more. I still get dirty sometimes, but I also work on computers sometimes.

I honestly don't look down on fast food workers or on people with low paying jobs. There isn't really a good time to say, "Hey, fast food worker. I don't look down on you, and I really do appreciate the work that you do." I think that's the case with many people. They aren't looking down, but it may feel that way sometimes because there isn't really an acceptable way to tell people how we feel about such things.

In fact, I respect anyone who works for a living. There are ways to get by today without working, so it takes self respect and honor to get up every day and go to work, no matter what job you have. By taking and keeping a job of any type, we're saying, "I'm a part of this society, and I choose to put in my share."

Now, I do feel that each person is best served by getting an education and doing their best to get the job that they truly want. But this isn't about judging the individual. I just feel that if a person is doing a job they love, then they are fulfilling their own needs, as well as the needs of society.

Answer 3

They do this because they think people in such jobs are stupid, lazy or just worthless.
This attitude reveals a lot more about the person with such judgments than the person being judged.
Many people who make a lot of money or who were lucky enough to have had a good environment and education have absolutely no idea of what it is like not to have such advantages. They may never have had to do such work, or even known someone who did such work.
The thing to remember for yourself is that it doesn't matter what they think of you.
There was a famous scientist, Richard Feynman, whose wife once asked him when he was wondering about what some people thought about him:
What do you care about what they think?
Great advice.
All labor is valuable.
All work is valuable.
It's just that some people are too spoiled to know this.
Don't let people and their attitudes define who you are or what you feel.

Answer 4

Ok you asked the question so I'm going to give you an answer. One that's probably not PC and one that will probably get me some thumbs down. But it's a real answer.

I know alot of people that work great jobs who don't necessarily "look down" on those people, but wonder why they don't do something to make their lives better.
I'm not speaking about the teenagers or college students. I'm talking about the 25+ year olds working in the fast food industry. With all the programs out their in this country to help people better themselves even with vocational training. It boggles ones mind why you don't have a better job.

Fast food restaurants are great for teenagers and college students to work at so that they can learn what a job is like and get training, but I wouldn't want to work there as a 30 year old.

I know a woman who worked as a waitress until her early 30's when she said she finally got the courage to try to work in a office. She was amazing. She was promptly promoted and became and office manager and made unbelievable money. It wasn't "being lucky". It was taking a chance and believing in herself.

Answer 5

If you know anything about the old "Class" society upon which the British culture was based, you will find often that the servants felt the same way. But they also knew ALL the "secrets" and looked down on the "upperclass" people who looked down upon them.

So how much have things changed?

Frankly, I've thought about spitting on some people's pizzas in my day, but I would never stoop so low. But, if they didn't want pizzas or didn't want their homes cleaned, or didn't need their cars fixed... etc etc. etc. then we wouldn't be earning a living from what they need.

Just be sure they pay their tab before they leave and wish them a nice day... and come again ... to share their money with me.

Answer 6

I wonder why people are such jerks to those working in retail or food jobs. Doesn't everyone have to work at a job like that, at one point in their life? We all SHOULD know how much it sucks and to be nice!

Answer 7

Normally the people who work at low paying jobs are the ones who actually do "work". They are the ones that make our life easier. I never understood why people are this way. But we live in a ****** up society.

Answer 8

I often wonder....... maybe they forgot where they came from, or where their parents came from ??? we are ALL just one pay check away from the bread line, are we not ?? God bless

Answer 9

they should be happy someone who speaks english is there to help them.