Envious of Sick? Working in Awful Jobs is No Fun

  • Thread starter Thread starter Math Is Hard
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the experiences and feelings associated with illness, particularly in relation to work and social dynamics. Participants share personal anecdotes about being envious of those who are sick, the desire for sympathy, and the challenges of managing work responsibilities while unwell. The conversation touches on various illnesses, including the flu, appendicitis, and pneumonia, as well as the emotional and physical impacts of these experiences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Personal anecdotes

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express envy towards those who are sick, wishing for the opportunity to rest and receive sympathy.
  • Others suggest that faking illness to take a break is tempting, but caution against using up sick days for future needs.
  • Experiences of serious illnesses, such as appendicitis and pneumonia, are shared, highlighting the emotional and physical toll they take.
  • Participants discuss the complications of working while sick, with some feeling the pressure to perform despite their condition.
  • There are mixed feelings about the nature of illness, with some finding certain symptoms (like a mild cold) more agreeable than others (like fever).
  • Concerns are raised about the availability of medical care during emergencies, particularly on weekends or holidays.
  • Some participants reflect on the importance of support from friends during illness, contrasting it with the experience of being hospitalized.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share personal experiences and feelings about illness, but there is no consensus on the desirability of being sick or the best way to handle work responsibilities during illness. Multiple competing views on the nature of illness and its implications for work and social life remain present.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions include assumptions about the nature of illnesses and the availability of medical care, which are not fully explored or resolved. The emotional responses to illness and the societal expectations surrounding work and sickness are also nuanced and vary among participants.

  • #31
Math Is Hard said:
The trick I've heard is "think of a cow."

I've had mixed results with that.
Have you tried the "don't think of a banana" method? It's like trying to get an annoying song out of your head. The more you try, the more it is embedded.
 
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  • #32
turbo-1 said:
Have you tried the "don't think of a banana" method? It's like trying to get an annoying song out of your head. The more you try, the more it is embedded.

There's a good book on this topic:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0898622239/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I read it for a social psych class.
 
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  • #33
Math Is Hard said:
There's a good book on this topic:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0898622239/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I read it for a social psych class.
Interesting. I had a problem with this suppression recently. For some reason, I decided to dig up a Sting video (looking for the music only, actually) of "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying" and the odd visuals embedded the music in my brain to the point where I was actively trying to concentrate on other music, and ... well, you get the idea. Hope you enjoy the video...

 
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  • #34
Math Is Hard said:
The trick I've heard is "think of a cow."

I've had mixed results with that.

I am using bright light method with succes most of the time. I just have to look directly at the bigthest spot, so not at huge lamp, but just at bulb. Halogens are very good, they are small and bright.
 
  • #35
Math Is Hard said:
Sometimes I am envious of people who get the flu. I would love to be in bed a few days watching TV, no matter how crappy I would feel.

I remember one really awful job I worked at where a team member got appendicitis. No one sent him sympathy cards - we were all jealous as hell. It was that bad.
One of the best weekends I had last year was the 4-day weekend that my hernia surgery allowed me. I got to spend 4 straight days on my couch watching movies, only getting up to eat and pee. It was wonderful.
 
  • #36
Sounds lovely. Where can I get one of these hernias?
 
  • #37
Math Is Hard said:
Sounds lovely. Where can I get one of these hernias?
Wanna help me move this engine block?

Edit: You could help me shovel that snow that is falling tonight, though I could have used some help taking care of all the crap that slid off my roof a couple of weeks ago...
 
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