In my experience, people who are truly poor, in the below-the-poverty-line sense, don't talk about it.
American society is segregated enough by income that they might talk about it, just not where anyone better off could hear it. I think you're mainly right, but I have talked to a few single moms who mentioned food stamps and talked to people who didn't pay the heat all winter because the government won't allow the utility to shut it off until March even if you don't have the money. People with three jobs mainly talk to me about child support and not actual debt load.
I can't think of anyone who would work 3 jobs for the fun of it.
It depends, is the workaholic just something corporations dreamed up to blame the victim, or do they exist? My ideal balance for work and leisure time tops out at two jobs and 70 hours a week (it's less now, I don't want money as much any more), but I could imagine someone wanting to work 80. If one in 1000 did, that would mean half of all the Americans with two full-time jobs did it because they wanted to.
I guess I have two jobs as well. My regular job, and my small business (which I'm phasing out of). Then there's writing, which I hope will pay me something, someday. And volunteer work.
But then, I have no children. Still barely scratch by some months, supporting little ole me.
Also, shouldnt the karma wheel spin my way soon? Am I not due?
American society is segregated enough by income that they might talk about it, just not where anyone better off could hear it.
Americans really don't talk about money, even among people in the same income group. It's all a tool of the Man.
I was taught not to talk about money very much at all. Unless it's like "5 for a dollar! Cool!"
Not to mention worth being attached to economic sufficiency and, well the opposite shame(Which on government benefits may be my OTP, actually EricaNshameforevah...even if I'm "deserving")
This may be the last American taboo.
I think Bush banned karma....
That may come back on him...
Yeah, it was funny to see everyone reporting their sick and vacation time - would we feel as comfortable reporting our salaries to each other? Nooooo.
But, Noumenon, Americans generally treat money the way the Victorians treat sex. Which is to say, they talk about it with shame, and only in situations of extreme intimacy.
When people are barely getting by, and are worried about bouncing a check, they don't necessarily tell their friends about it.
You don't know the secret lives of the people who work multiple jobs. "They seemed happy enough to me" is what the neighbors always say right after somebody snapped.
I can't think of anyone who would work 3 jobs for the fun of it.
I could see working
two
for the fun of it, much like ita. My yarn shop job falls in that category.
