# Remind Me Again Why I Shouldn't Quit My Job? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 3, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498 "2003-02-03T14:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/1 "2003-02-03T14:56:30Z")
I’ve been copy chief here for about four years and am spinning my wheels; I hate this job and have no future here—I’m overworked (I’m the entire copy dept. for a major monthly magazine). I make terrific catches everyone else misses and get no credit for it—but if I miss one damn comma (as I did this morning), I catch holy hell for it. I hate getting up in the morning to come to work; my first words when the alarm clock goes off are “oh, _damn_.” Life’s too short for this. I’d like to move back to Phila. to look after my Mom, who’s in her 80s. _But._ Just _having_ a job these days makes me feel like a top-hatted plutocrat in a 1930s movie. I’m in my 40s and there are no jobs out there, let alone for the middle-aged. I need the medical benefits and the paycheck. My books don’t make me enough to live on; I want to get the hell out of publishing, but into _what_, with 20-some years of it on my resume? What kind of idiot would give up a safe job in this economy with no safety net? That’s the worst thing about this lousy job market—one feels guilty for complaining about one’s job . . . ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/2 "2003-02-03T15:21:53Z")
Don’t feel guilty…plot your revenge. Sooner or later things will turn around and then you can leave with no notice or some such. Of course, I wouldn’t suggest you leave New York. That would be absurd. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/3 "2003-02-03T15:27:45Z")
Oooh, I’m still a professional, I wouldn’t leave with no notice! Besides, there _are_ some people I like here. I just hate the _job_. If I left NY, it would just be for Phila., which is a short train ride away—I’d still need to get to Lincoln Center to research my books. (Unless I could get the BFI to give me a grant to move to London and write a book on British silent films!) But, dammit, I am looking for other jobs—both in and out of publishing—and there is _nothing out there_. V. demoralizing. Since 9/11, I’ve been thinking how pissed-off I’d be to get blown up for _this_ job. ---
**Author:** ![Racer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@Racer1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Racer1)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/4 "2003-02-03T15:42:08Z")
There was once a wise man, who when asked by his king for some words of wisdom, claimed he could tell him three short words that would make someone happy when sad, or sad when happy. THIS WILL PASS! (Or something to that effect, anyway.) The point is, stick in there, don’t give them reason to give you hassle, but secretly look for new jobs in your spare time. I’m sure things will change for the better soon. 🙂 P.S. More words of wisdom include “Don’t support the UK football team Arsenal”. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/5 "2003-02-03T16:15:29Z")
Ideal careers for a well-read woman who is witty and can hold her own in social situations: Geisha Plus, you get to wear a kimono and walk on men’s backs in your bare feet (if you’re into that sort of thing). I don’t know how much call there is for “Geishas” in the Tri-State area or along the Main Line, but I can’t have all the answers. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/6 "2003-02-03T16:19:05Z")
[Homer Simpson voice] Geisha, huh? . . . [/Homer Simpson voice] ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/7 "2003-02-03T16:23:03Z")
Kimono my house, my house I’m gonna give you candy Kimono my house, ono my house I’m gonna give you everything -Losemary Crooney ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/8 "2003-02-03T16:29:50Z")
I find it nearly impossible to believe there are no openings for prim and proper ladies with their own lorgnettes who are capable of whithering glances and crushing declarations of “Well, really!” Whatever is this world coming to? ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/9 "2003-02-03T16:49:28Z")
Eve, clearly it’s time for you to launch your OWN magazine. I’ll even do the copyediting, if you promise to treat me better than you’re being treated now. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/10 "2003-02-03T16:58:05Z")
I’ve said it before. You edit it. I’ll make sure we make money with it. It’s what I do. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/11 "2003-02-03T17:00:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chef Troy \* > \*\*Eve, clearly it’s time for you to launch your OWN magazine. > > I’ll even do the copyediting, if you promise to treat me better than you’re being treated now. \*\* That would be amazing! I’ll write the “thrift” column, because the idiots who launched “Bugdet Living” magazine have NO IDEA WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT! ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/12 "2003-02-03T17:12:42Z")
Maybe you could get a job as an SDMB moderator? They’re pullin’ down the big bucks! ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/13 "2003-02-03T17:13:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FairyChatMom \* > I find it nearly impossible to believe there are no openings for prim and proper ladies with their own lorgnettes who are capable of whithering glances and crushing declarations of “Well, really!” Whatever is this world coming to? Take heart, Miss Manners does just that! Well, and she writes about how to be proper and all of that. Hmm, I hear she works at the Washington Post. Perhaps **Eve** could head down there and get some pointers - or see about deposing her… ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/14 "2003-02-03T17:23:14Z")
Mr. Hearst? Mr. Nast? I had no _idea!_ ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/15 "2003-02-03T18:07:17Z")
Actually, **Ferret Herder** , I considered suggesting a coup directed at Miss Manners, but that would be tacky on so many levels. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/16 "2003-02-03T18:10:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FairyChatMom \* > \*\*Actually, **Ferret Herder** , I considered suggesting a coup directed at Miss Manners, but that would be tacky on so many levels. \*\* Especially if you don’t inform her first on flowered stationery…handwritten of course, not typed…using incredibly polite language. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/17 "2003-02-03T18:15:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FairyChatMom \* > Actually, **Ferret Herder** , I considered suggesting a coup directed at Miss Manners, but that would be tacky on so many levels. I’m sure **Eve** could come up with something done outwardly politely and in a ladylike (if, in the end, ruthless) fashion. 🙂 If she’s not up to that, perhaps some professional advice could be exchanged. I can’t think of anyone better - or at least anyone so in touch with **Eve** ’s style. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/18 "2003-02-03T18:42:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ivylass \* > \*\*Especially if you don’t inform her first on flowered stationery…handwritten of course, not typed…using incredibly polite language. \*\* Using black or blue-black ink! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/19 "2003-02-03T18:51:41Z")
Eve, You could try: [http://www.mediabistro.com](http://www.mediabistro.com) Not much in the way of listings in PA, but they usually have a good selection in NY. ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498/20 "2003-02-03T18:53:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jonathan Chance \* > \*\*I’ve said it before. > > You edit it. I’ll make sure we make money with it. > > It’s what I do. \*\* Now that we have a money man on board we’re golden. Er, so to speak - YOU’RE Golden, anyway. But you knew that. Maybe we can bring Ukulele Ike and Saxface in once the shekels arrive in a sparkling flood. I’m not kidding about this - I am VERY good at copyediting and proofreading, and I’m looking for a moonlighting job I can do from home here in Dallas. What is our subject matter? I can handle anything that doesn’t involve a lot of super-specialized jargon (a medical-research journal, for example). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remind-me-again-why-i-shouldnt-quit-my-job/152498.md?page=2)