# Why do you go to work?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [August 1, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757 "2015-08-01T21:14:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/1 "2015-08-01T21:14:54Z")
Currently sitting at home recovering from surgery and also be laid of from my position of 22 years with a large Multi-national company
The question that I suppose has been asked numerous times is why do you go to work.
I am asking that myself right now.
Previously, I was working because it was fun , there was social aspects to it, with the travel I could see things (when I got the chance) between trips that was culturally fun, etc and I could help other people within the company as well.
Also, any money that I got from that could go towards funding any toys that I bought for myself and helping out my parents as well.
I have asked this to numerous people since then why they work.
The answers that I get are:
1. They want to help other people
2. They are in debt and need to get out of debt for whatever reason
3. Recent immigrant who will do anything to make money/escape poverty
4. Working for their church/religion
5. Making a name for themselves or a legacy
6. To support their children or spouses or other family members
7. To learn new things
8. To support illicit habits (drugs, alcohol, etc)
Any others reasons that one can think of
What surprised me was the number of people who had put down #6 as their main reason
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### Author:  [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/2 "2015-08-01T21:26:34Z")
I think for some people too it just provides structure to their life and gives them something to do. Accomplishing your work goals makes you feel good especially when the fruit of your labor is something tangible you can look at with your eyes. Customer service jobs and cubicle work don’t seem as fulfilling to me.
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### Author:  [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/3 "2015-08-01T21:28:56Z")
Because I wasn’t lucky enough to have been born rich.
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### Author:  [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/4 "2015-08-01T22:11:48Z")
> [@Sahirrnee](#):
>
> Because I wasn’t lucky enough to have been born rich.
I suppose that it would depend on the definition of rich as well.
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### Author:  [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/5 "2015-08-01T22:17:02Z")
I worked long enough to have enough money not to have to work.
I usually _enjoyed_ my work, but that’s a different subject.
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### Author:  [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/6 "2015-08-01T22:29:55Z")
Why are you surprised at the number of people go to work to support themselves and their families? It was the main reason I thought of when I read the title. It’s hard to support anybody without working.
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### Author:  [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/7 "2015-08-01T22:49:34Z")
Can’t sing or dance.
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### Author:  [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/8 "2015-08-01T22:50:22Z")
The shear number of people that only said that they were only working to support their family surprised me.
I figured that there would be a significant number in that category it was a lot more than I would have anticipated.
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### Author:  [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/9 "2015-08-01T23:00:26Z")
I’m confused by the OP . I wasn’t aware there was a choice, except for the very wealthy .
I go to work because pesky things like food and housing cost money .
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### Author:  [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/10 "2015-08-01T23:22:46Z")
> [@pool](#):
>
> I think for some people too it just provides structure to their life and gives them something to do. Customer service jobs and cubicle work don’t seem as fulfilling to me.
Screw that. I think most people work simply because they need to eat.
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### Author:  [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/11 "2015-08-01T23:25:07Z")
> [@ssgenius](#):
>
> The shear number of people that only said that they were only working to support their family surprised me.
>
> I figured that there would be a significant number in that category it was a lot more than I would have anticipated.
You apparently are someone who enjoys their work and assumes most people also do. 😛
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/12 "2015-08-01T23:27:15Z")
If you have to ask, you’re doing it wrong.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/13 "2015-08-01T23:29:46Z")
> [@ssgenius](#):
>
> I figured that there would be a significant number in that category it was a lot more than I would have anticipated.
There’s a bunch of woo out there about “finding yourself,” “finding your true passion,” “having an identity” blah blah blah through your job. It’s generally a bunch of nonsense in IMVHO. When you work, ultimately the only thing that matters is that you are making the person signing your paycheck happy - not yourself - otherwise you cease to receive paychecks from said person. All the aforementioned good things certainly can happen, but they are more of a byproduct.
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### Author:  [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/14 "2015-08-01T23:35:24Z")
I don’t want to die of starvation or exposure to the elements.
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### Author:  [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/15 "2015-08-01T23:36:41Z")
That was the previous assumption that I had but it appears to be changing.
The question that I have is
If you don’t enjoy your work (in some form), why keep working in the same position that you dread going to work everyday.
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### Author:  [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/16 "2015-08-01T23:42:08Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#):
>
> I’m confused by the OP . I wasn’t aware there was a choice, except for the very wealthy .
>
> I go to work because pesky things like food and housing cost money .
I know that all too well. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/17 "2015-08-01T23:46:02Z")
I do it because I absolutely love what I do.
Maybe someday, I’ll actually make some money at it.
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### Author:  [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)
#### Post date: [August 1, 2015, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/18 "2015-08-01T23:58:25Z")
> [@ssgenius](#):
>
> That was the previous assumption that I had but it appears to be changing.
>
> The question that I have is
>
> If you don’t enjoy your work (in some form), why keep working in the same position that you dread going to work everyday.
Not everybody who works dreads going to their job. I’m sure most people enjoy their jobs as well as appreciate a steady paycheck. The two are not mutually exclusive. But when it comes down to it, ultimately all of us need to pay for a place to live, utilities such as water and electricity, and food to survive. None of those things are free.
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### Author:  [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/19 "2015-08-02T00:07:56Z")
I am challenged by my job and get a sense of satisfaction from accomplishing it.
My work environment is also incredibly stressful and my team mates are dropping like flies.
I work because, others have said, on other ways, I like eating and sleeping indoors.
I am also looking for a new position. There comes a time…
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### Author:  [@ssgenius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssgenius)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-go-to-work/726757/20 "2015-08-02T00:09:29Z")
I agree 100%
The trick is to find something that can pay the bills and can also be fulfilling. That is the major thing to go after and find.
That is what I am looking for right now but I was surprised at the number of people who are working only for a paycheque and hate their jobs
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