Member-only story
Unemployed or Retired?
The big difference
Yesterday I was at the library when I ran into a man I had gotten to know because he had been a client at the business where I used to work. The business closed down back in November and I was laid off so I had not seen this fellow since then.
He smiled when he saw me and came over to shake my hand, “Long time no see. How ya doin’?”
“I’m doing fine. And you?”
“You know me; busy, busy, busy. So where are you working now?”
“Oh, I’m still unemployed.”
The expression on the man’s face drastically changed to one of alarm, “Oh my, I’m so sorry to hear that. Well, hang in there man. I know it’s tough around here right now but don’t give up. I hope you can find a job soon.”
I wanted to say, “Gosh, I hope not!” but the man turned and walked away before I could say anything.
The encounter confused me and got me thinking. Why is not having a job such a sad thing? And more importantly, why did I refer to myself as unemployed?
After leaving the library I walked south on Main Street. After a couple of blocks I ran into someone else who I had not seen since I was last working. It was a woman I had always enjoyed talking with.
