| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you think your acquaintances/friends/family "envy" your life as a freelancer? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you think your acquaintances/friends/family "envy" your life as a freelancer?".
This poll was originally submitted by Madalena Ribeiro. View the poll results »
| | | | Simon Bruni 
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:55
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
It's too lonely a life for most people. Personally I'm quite happy here in my translator's bubble.
| | | | Tatty
Local time: 03:55
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Definately not | Nov 29, 2010 |
Absolutely not. People think that it's a crying shame that I don't get myself out much and that it must be really boring. I tend to work quite late into the evening, and occasionally at weekends. That is what people really don't understand. Why complicate your life so much... However some of my neighbours who are housewives do see the advantage of being able to tend to the house at the same time, do the washing, prepare food etc. That said, I've never met anyone yet who envys my set-up as a free... See more Absolutely not. People think that it's a crying shame that I don't get myself out much and that it must be really boring. I tend to work quite late into the evening, and occasionally at weekends. That is what people really don't understand. Why complicate your life so much... However some of my neighbours who are housewives do see the advantage of being able to tend to the house at the same time, do the washing, prepare food etc. That said, I've never met anyone yet who envys my set-up as a freelance translator.
I think that the biggest advantage of being a freelance translator is not having a boss. This way I am free to translate the texts how I think best. No intrusions or constraints. ▲ Collapse
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There is nothing to envy but I like it.
Of course, those who are envious by nature would envy even a jobless and homeless person saying he has all the time for himself and does not have to sweep the floor )
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Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 03:55
Member (2006)
German to English
| Hadnt thought of it | Nov 29, 2010 |
and wont think about it
| | | | | Only when it's -7ºC, like today... | Nov 29, 2010 |
...because I get to stay inside.
Otherwise, everyone tells me they would go mad if they didn't have anyone around to talk to, for example.
That is NOT a problem for me.
| | | | | only some aspects | Nov 29, 2010 |
and the wrong ones:
like: you work whenever you want, you can have all the days off you like, all the stupid ideas about translators, oh int Italy somebody also says I don't pay taxes!!!!
at the end of the day, they do not even understand what I do
| | | | Adnan Özdemir
Türkiye
Local time: 04:55
Member (2007)
German to Turkish
+ ...
Sometimes maybe
Sometimes yes
Sometimes no 
[Edited at 2010-11-29 10:34 GMT]
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| they say they do but... | Nov 29, 2010 |
sometimes, and not everyone, they tell me that it is a great way of living my life now that I am young but that I should start looking for a real "adult" job before I am too old...so I guess they do not understand that this is my real job and that I do work lots of hours
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Actually, my husband said that this morning, because I can stay at home, when it's 5 ºC outside 
[Editada em 2010-11-29 11:18 GMT]
| | | | Jenn Mercer
United States
Local time: 21:55
Member (2009)
French to English
But of course, a lot of my friends are fellow freelancers. I think my mom worries from time to time, so she is one of the few who gets to hear the actual $ amounts of some of my jobs. My sister, bless her heart, still thinks that she can call me all day because I am home all day.
I envy those who are freelancers and don't have to go out in the cold, but my daughter's excellent school does not have bus service. I need to leave in about a half hour and I think it will be above freezi... See more But of course, a lot of my friends are fellow freelancers. I think my mom worries from time to time, so she is one of the few who gets to hear the actual $ amounts of some of my jobs. My sister, bless her heart, still thinks that she can call me all day because I am home all day.
I envy those who are freelancers and don't have to go out in the cold, but my daughter's excellent school does not have bus service. I need to leave in about a half hour and I think it will be above freezing by then. I sure hope so. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Yes, many aspects | Nov 29, 2010 |
They "envy":
- That I'm never stuck in big traffic jams at peak hours (when I need to go out, I always choose clear times)
- That I can program my own schedule (go shopping, exercise, have lunch, go to the park and play with the children, etc. any time I want!)
- That I can pick up my child from school, have lunch with her, read and check her studies and homework
- That I can raise my children on my own without having to depend on a nanny or a relative
- That... See more They "envy":
- That I'm never stuck in big traffic jams at peak hours (when I need to go out, I always choose clear times)
- That I can program my own schedule (go shopping, exercise, have lunch, go to the park and play with the children, etc. any time I want!)
- That I can pick up my child from school, have lunch with her, read and check her studies and homework
- That I can raise my children on my own without having to depend on a nanny or a relative
- That I don't have to deal with bad-tempered bosses or envious co-workers
- That I can charge more than if I had a fixed job
They don't "envy":
- That I mostly don't have direct contact with other people/co-workers
- That sometimes I have to work on weekends; or have too much work and must stay awake until late
- That I have to put effort finding my own clients/being unstable or perhaps without work for days or weeks (but in general, I have work to do every day)
I do love being a freelancer!!
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Ah, and about the bad temperatures mentioned before by others, in general that's not an issue here because it's never lower than 14ºC (57ºC).
[Edited at 2010-11-29 13:43 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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My non-translator friends think I have it made. As challenging as freelancing is for us, it's usually much harder in other professions.
For me, it's not a lonely life at all. I see many people every day - friends, neighbors, fellow students, people I meet in various groups I belong to ...
[Edited at 2010-11-29 13:13 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-11-29 13:14 GMT]
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They do. Unless they are already independent workers themselves
Pros: no boss, free time during the day when needed, no need to waste time in transport, making a good living and above all doing something I truly enjoy (which unfortunately is not everyone's case on earth  )
Cons: being alone. This is not a con for me, but might be in the eyes of other ... See more
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 03:55
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Some aspects | Nov 29, 2010 |
Relative freedom, no commuting and being your own boss etc are the ones that immediately spring to mind. I have a lot of friends who prefer to remain in the cocoon of working for an employer because they get paid holidays and some form of job security, but they are always moaning about one thing or another nevertheless.
I don't find translating lonely at all, even though much of my contact with other people is online or by phone. I don't really miss "going out" all that much these... See more Relative freedom, no commuting and being your own boss etc are the ones that immediately spring to mind. I have a lot of friends who prefer to remain in the cocoon of working for an employer because they get paid holidays and some form of job security, but they are always moaning about one thing or another nevertheless.
I don't find translating lonely at all, even though much of my contact with other people is online or by phone. I don't really miss "going out" all that much these days either, since in the culture I come from it basically means spending money on getting drunk then regretting it the next day. ▲ Collapse
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