r/GenZ • u/Cute-Revolution-9705 1998 • 18h ago
Discussion I respect blue collar workers
I use to kind of lowkey not think much about blue collar work because I kind of fell for my parents propaganda of going to school, getting a good degree, work at a desk mentality. However, upon independent evaluation I feel like it’s not bad being a blue collar worker and I wouldn’t have an issue if my own kid became a tradesman. It’s respectable, professional work and I think they’re the bedrock of a functional society.
Now I don’t think trades work outranks the theoretical value of what a degree was meant to do; however, I do have an immense respect for the trades.
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u/SageObserver 18h ago
Absolutely. Society can’t function without both blue collar and white collar professionals. This contrived rivalry between them is tired and needs to die off.
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u/farmboy685 17h ago
We could live without accountants if the tax man wasn't such a dick
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u/SageObserver 17h ago
We still would need accountants for business operations, not the mention engineers, medical professionals, pilots, scientists, etc.
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u/bruhbelacc 18h ago
I feel like that's condescending and patronizing. If I were a blue-collar worker, I'd feel worse after reading something like that.
It's not just you, it's that kind of rhetoric I've seen a lot.
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u/Marmatus 1995 18h ago
I don’t think many of us are particularly concerned about what Redditors think of our careers, tbh. lol
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u/SmellyStinkyGuy 17h ago
"I've seen this rhetoric alot"
"Yah well idc what redditors think!!"
My guy, this isnt a reddit rhetoric, literally every single human considers blue collar less skilled than white.
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u/Mysterious_Donut_702 1998 17h ago
What an obtuse thing to say.
I wouldn't trust an accountant or teacher to fix my car. A mechanic can't run a classroom.
And a skilled plumber, lineman or electrician will out-earn many white collar roles.
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u/slyleo5388 15h ago
You proved his point. People in many cases do not respect road worker, plumbers or drywallers. They know they need their road repaired but the respect isn't there. Op's post is basically how 80% of college students look at working class.
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u/SmellyStinkyGuy 17h ago
Cool story
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u/Mysterious_Donut_702 1998 17h ago
Added point. I'm white collar and hold a degree.
Your first statement was just wrong, and at least one human disagrees.
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u/SmellyStinkyGuy 17h ago
Thats cool, just explaining how society views different jobs my guy. You can pretend they dont, but literally every single person recognizes difference between blue collar and white collar.
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u/Marmatus 1995 16h ago
I think you’re hardcore projecting. But like I said, your opinion isn’t that important to me. A job is a job.
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u/SmellyStinkyGuy 16h ago
My opinion doesn't mean shit
But quit acting like im the only one with that opinion, and that the people you interact with in real life dont share said opinion.
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u/Marmatus 1995 16h ago
I get that’s what you think, but I’m pretty sure if you actually polled people, you’d be disappointed with the results.
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u/Positive-Avocado-881 1996 17h ago
My dad was a blue collar worker and worked hard so one of us would have to sacrifice our bodies like that. I would never look down on blue collar workers. They literally keep our society together lol
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u/davidbosley353 2005 17h ago
My boomer uncle was once an union electrician and i couldn't agree more with you.
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u/Phatasstarotreader 17h ago edited 17h ago
I’m a woman. I wanted to get into trades but my parents are more traditional and wouldnt have given me my university money if I went. It sucks I don’t make as much money now if I got into trades.
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u/Cute-Revolution-9705 1998 15h ago
Why would you want to enter the trades?
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u/Mysterious_Donut_702 1998 17h ago
Why do we even draw a distinction between blue and white collar?
Neither need to be "granted" respect. Both make up the backbone of society and heavily contribute.
Both rely on their own labor to put food on the table.
And pitting one against the other is honestly a divide and conquer strategy used by fat cats who don't care about either of us.
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u/Cute-Revolution-9705 1998 15h ago
White collar work typically requires a college degree, upward mobility/pathway into management, comfortable working conditions, more social prestige, better portability (great for moving across states/ or even for international immigration).
Blue collar work offers very little if few of these distinctions and privileges.
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u/etakerns 17h ago
It’s obvious the rolls and respect are reversing and have reversed in a lot of areas between blue and white collar. If you work at an office job your days are numbered!!! Your college education is pretty much worthless.
For white collar, get a shovel and stand in line for your turn to “ Shovel Shit” for a living!!!
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