Are you still doing that?

[LedHed]

Several years ago (1999-2007), I was an assistant network administrator and lead computer tech at a local university. I was one of two people who built and maintained the campus network, which had ~3000 devices. I have many horror stories about Napster, Kazaa, Morpheus, Nimda, Sircam, Code Red, Slammer, and Klez. I was also the lead computer tech, so I was pretty busy.

After being let go from that position, I decided that I was tired of answering to someone else. Especially since the people I answered to would tell me to my face they didn't have a clue about what I do. They certainly knew who to call when the network was down, though. Funny how that works.

Anyway, I've been in business for myself for 11 years. I am always trying to do better, but I'm doing pretty good.

From time to time, I see someone I haven't seen in awhile. Today, it was my former boss' assistant from the university.

"Hello, Andy," she said. "What are you doing these days?"

"Still working for myself," I replied with a smile.

"Oh, you're still doing that?"

I seriously don't understand that question. I get it from family members and old friends as well, and I hear it a lot.

I've thought about saying, "Yes, I'm still doing the thing I'm best at. I thought about switching to something I suck at, but I'm not brave enough to give up all the money."

Honestly, I wouldn't dream of asking a question like that. Does anyone else experience this?

Andy

 

[TECCS]

Not quite this however. when I started i wasn't earning a lot and some months would loose money, not a lot but some. after some time when i was breaking even my mum turned round and said "if you don't start earning more money you will have to get a proper job". at this point I was working my ass off and she said it a couple of times untill my dad overheard her say this. he politely told her that woeking for yourself is a "proper job" (he used to work for himself). and that she ment different job but why not have some more faith in me as her saying that doesnt help.

 

[HCHTech]

I've thought about saying, "Yes, I'm still doing the thing I'm best at. I thought about switching to something I suck at, but I'm not brave enough to give up all the money."

Haha - I think you nailed the correct response. "Yes, Happily & Successfully!" would be another option. Some people are just clueless,

 

[Markverhyden]

I never got anything but grief from my mother when I struck out on my own. Literally until she died.

I thought about switching to something I hate and suck at. But I can't just bring myself to make my life more miserable.

is a variation I've used before.

 

[LedHed]

What annoys me most is, I know a lot of professional people. Some of them work for themselves, some don't. I would never, for example, walk up to an electrician, accountant, or plumber and ask if they were still doing that.

 

[Alexey]

However, if I come up to someone whom I haven't seen a long time (like, several years long), I will ask "are you still doing X or working at X" to establish a fact or to get an updated story. I never had a problem asking that - everyone accepts that pretty normal. And in reverse, when asked, I say "yeah still feels fun", because often there is no offence or doubt or whatever in the question. Especially with computers, people tend to change fields of work often, so it is reasonable to ask.

 

[overburnz]

Not work related but I once was asked “are you still with her?” (Pointing to my know wife, but at the time girlfriend) she saw my face and walked away apologising...

 

[Porthos]

Not work related

Like asking a woman if she is pregnant. A phrase that will never come out of my mouth.

 

[overburnz]

Like asking a woman if she is pregnant. A phrase that will never come out of my mouth.

Did it once, turns out it was beer belly lolol

 

[Porthos]

Did it once, turns out it was beer belly lolol

In my case, She was not small and the blouse she was wearing looked like maternity wear to me.

 

[Sky-Knight]

And for the Americans in this room... just 100 years ago, you were considered a less than model citizen if you worked for someone else. Culturally we viewed employment as a form of slavery...

These days people find out you're self employed, and they look at you like you've got two heads, you're crazy, or you're going to die... I can't quite tell which.

 

[LedHed]

@Alexey
I think it's the WAY they are saying it. I would prefer "Wow, good for you!"
"Are you still doing that?" makes it seem like I'm doing something that is frowned upon.

@ Sky-Knight
Your right

 

[sapphirescales]

And for the Americans in this room... just 100 years ago, you were considered a less than model citizen if you worked for someone else. Culturally we viewed employment as a form of slavery...

These days people find out you're self employed, and they look at you like you've got two heads, you're crazy, or you're going to die... I can't quite tell which.

I've never worked for anyone else so I don't have any direct experience, but I can't imagine giving up the freedom and money that comes from working for yourself. I would hate being reliant on some a$$hole for my job. So much for job "security" where they can let you go at any time for no reason at all, cut your pay, or screw you out of your retirement. No thanks!

 

[Sky-Knight]

I've never worked for anyone else so I don't have any direct experience, but I can't imagine giving up the freedom and money that comes from working for yourself. I would hate being reliant on some a$$hole for my job. So much for job "security" where they can let you go at any time for no reason at all, cut your pay, or screw you out of your retirement. No thanks!

Precisely, you have ultimate power and ultimate freedom. Health insurance, retirement, anything else you can think of is just another bill. And your income is broken up and diversified so when you get "fired" you don't lose everything.

The basic every day W2 employee... they aren't known as wage slaves for nothing. And historically, Americans looked down on those people a bit. Because you were expected as an adult to get a job, then as soon as you could, get loose and do your own thing. And when you made it on your own, that was when you became a real citizen, you had finally grown up.

Now? People are adulting working at fast food joints... and we wonder why our nation sucks...

 

[Markverhyden]

Precisely, you have ultimate power and ultimate freedom.

I tell people that at the end of the day if I have a problem I just have to look in the mirror. No more excuses about so and so did this or that.

 

[LedHed]

@Markverhyden
I friend of mine asked me a few years ago what it's like to work for myself. I told him this, "When things are going GOOD, I look in the mirror and say I did that. When things are going BAD, I look in the mirror and say I did that." He said he understood and told me he doesn't think he could handle that kind of pressure.

 

[Alexey]

I think it's the WAY they are saying it. I would prefer "Wow, good for you!"
"Are you still doing that?" makes it seem like I'm doing something that is frowned upon.

Yes, that's all context plus intonations, lost first in translation and then in a text-only forum. I thought it is kinda prudent to say that there is a valid (not frowining-upon and not demeaning) use case for this question. For the record, so to speak.

 

[Sky-Knight]

@LedHed, IMHO people that can't handle that kind of pressure aren't adults... Because technically speaking even employees need that sort of drive, because if you have that drive you are always adding value and by extension increasing your pay. That's how you make yourself better over time. People don't do this, they have to have their hands held, and they get complacent way too easily and then they wonder why they don't get that raise, that promotion, or are the first on the chopping block when the economy slows down. It's not like you can look in the mirror and blame someone else when you get fired.

 

[Porthos]

Of course the real value is in their documents/pictures etc.

Depends on what the user is willing to pay for the recovery/preservation of that data.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Perhaps its the struggle many local computer repair shops have that have caused people to be surprised you are still into that line of work. I mean if they looked at you as a computer repair guy rather than a network admin.