Not my car, not my house

It was an evening out with the family. We were at a local FastFood chain and at this outlet, there were lots of people. There always is. I mean, let’s face it. The food is not exceptionally good cause everywhere you go the burger and fried tastes the same. But my son loves this outlet because of the fact they had a large playarea here.

Fine. Be my guest.

Then, right after I sank my teeth into a fairly large sized burger, there was a tap on my shoulder. It was an old college mate! Imagine that! I felt relieved to see someone from my old schooldays because as I age, I start missing the things and people from my yonder days.

So, we had a chat for a short while eventhough there was awkward silences here and there, but honestly, it was a good chat. He is working with a large multinational company now as a Manager of some sort, earning a decent income. He’s from outstation, so, I asked him where he stayed.

“Oh, I am staying around this area. My company is very nice, they provided me and my family (pointing to his daughter of 3) a house to stay in right here in a very hot area”, he said, beaming proudly. His wife touched his shoulder gently and smiled at him.

I gave him my business card and his first comment was, “Wah, it’s so cute. It’s your company card ah?”

I went on to explain that I don’t work for anyone, I just work from home, on a project to project basis. It was meant to be a joke but I said, “Project to project means sometimes my kids get to eat Shark’s Fin soup, sometimes Maggee Mee”. I laughed…but he didn’t.

Appears that he was dead serious about what I just said.

“You mean you don’t work for anyone? You don’t get salary, is it?”. Afraid to send him into shock, I slowly nodded my head. He seems to be thinking about this for a while. He wasn’t sure what to say to a poor soul who doesn’t have a job, and have to stay at home with the kids, typing nothings and nonsense into the computer day in and day out.

“Are you looking for a job? I can check with my company if they are looking for someone? What previous experience do you have?”

“Erm…actually, I am not really looking. I kinda enjoy what I am doing right now and besides, I think my husbands likes the fact that he’s the man of the house and brings in the bread”. I laughed…but once again, BAD JOKE.

Now, his face is crestfallen. He must be thinking to himself, ‘holy cow! What kind of human being doesn’t WANT to have a job?’.

Thankfully, he went on to get a table of his own for his family and I no longer had to force a smile to be plastered on my face anymore. Seems that this man feels very strongly about being employed and having a paycheck.

It seems pointless to tell this man that I receive my paycheck on a daily basis, monetary and emotionally. I get my pay when I finish my project and when my kids feel that I should be rewarded just for being there.

As we walked out of the outlet, he was getting into his car. He did mentioned that his company was also NICE enough to provide his family with a car to drive.

I can only imagine what would happen to his family when there’s a downsizing and he’s out a job. Not only would he lose his job (aka his salary), he would also lose the NICE house and NICE car.

How can anyone be so happy and PROUD that he is living in a house that is not his. Driving a car that is not his. And helping other people achieve their dreams while their own personal dream is left so unfulfilled? The fate of his family is not in his hands but in the hands of his employer. He has to spend much time polishing the shoe of his boss, trying to make sure that his position in the company is as secure as possible. Because as soon as he loses his job, he loses his livelihood.

I am just thankful that when that happens, nobody sacks me.