by Mj Ferruzza

Created on: February 12, 2009

Everybody has had a Joe Job! You may still have one today! But fear not! We see you in no diminished light. It is what we have to do! It is a learning tool for later on in life. Everyone should go through the process. It is mandatory. And unless you are Paris Hilton or one of Prince Chuck's kids over in England, you will probably will have to experience them for yourself.

Joe Job noun (Crappicus Workfornothingcus lat.)
Those menial jobs we take on because we need some extra cash, to pay off debts (see criminal, gambling or college loans), to appease parents and/or relatives, to meet the opposite sex.

Jobs include (but not limited to):
Fast Food, Paper routes, Landscaping, Errands, Gas stations, Housekeeping, Amusement Parks, The Mall, Tanning Industry, Hostess, Busboy, Waiter, Car Hop, Valet, Ticket booth, Flier Deliverer..among a plethora of thousands more!

Why do we take Joe Jobs?

1. To learn the value of a dollar.

2. To learn responsibility!

3. To learn that we NEVER want to work in a place like that ever again! life.

Slavery may have ceased after the Civil War. But being some plebe for a manager who wants you to clean up the Men's room after Beer & Wing Night (and right after you clocked out with your minimum wage based time card) is plain cruelty. But have no fear. Like Hell Week in some fraternity, take comfort in knowing that millions have done the exact same job at some point in their life.

Want to talk to that cute older college student? You know the one! (Maybe age 25 - 30?) Ask them what Joe Job they had before they realized 'college really WAS for them!' Joe Jobs have easier applications than colleges do, but the effort is worth it in the long run, Stoney!

Joe Jobs and the Grandmother Rule!

Would you mow your Grandma's lawn for free? Of course you would! Would you mow your neighbor's lawn for free while he and the family frolic in their pool? Probably not! So certain menial jobs we take because they have no bearing on anger or issues. Others, we do!

Why should we get frustrated at some Joe Job Manager for docking our hours and pay because we were late to work because we spent all morning trying to get that Indian (from India) Operator to turn our pre-paid phone service back on? Hey! Taco Bell is just across the street. So is the prep cook position at Ruby Tuesday. Or both. And while the economy sours, we may be working side by side with the CEO of some fly by night Internet company. You see? We all win!

Joe Jobs pay a grand dividend. They test our mettle. They make us the man and woman we never wanted to be and give us the courage to go out and find the real one inside. I remember my Joe Jobs fondly. And I never take out any anger or frustration on anyone doing their version of my old job. Why the patience? Because I know I never want to do that job ever again.

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