As the Dow falls below 8,000 for the first time in over five years, Iceland faces the prospect of national bankruptcy and many Americans can’t sell their homes for what they owe on the mortgage, I think it’s time for freelance translators to make a collective resolution. So far (I force myself to preface any comment about the industry with those words!), it seems that most of us are relatively unaffected by the global economic slowdown; some of us have never been busier.
So, how about if we collectively resolve that we will not complain about having too much work as long as this economic situation continues. When times are good for everyone, I think it’s acceptable to lament how much you’ve been working, or that you turned down multiple projects because you didn’t feel like working overtime. But right now, that seems a little inconsiderate and tasteless; so, let’s save the complaining for when the world’s financial situation improves. I’d rather hear “Fortunately, I have enough/more than enough work” than “I’m so overworked”!
What a great idea. Count me in! I feel bad when my friends are complaining about losing money. My IRA and mutual fund might have tanked, but luckily I never invested in the stock market and I rent. There isn’t much to lose if you haven’t invested much in the first place. Although I’m not going to change the name of my blog…
Honestly, I have yet to see the impacts of the economic downturn on my own business or that of my friends, neighbors, housecleaner, etc. (well, aside from my bank failing, ha, ha). I think gas prices have had more of an effect so far around here than the depression we’re said to be entering. The street outside my home office is refreshingly quiet these days as people drive less.
I’ve been reading the articles in the NYT and other news sources to try and understand what is really going on, but I don’t really feel like it’s been explained that well yet. I don’t think we’ll know what the new depression means for average Americans for a couple of years. And, try as I will, I don’t know if I can guarantee not complaining for two whole years. A translator’s got to kvetch sometime 😉
Amen! As I’ve mentioned before, my husband works at a large investment bank and will have to work until almost 10pm tonight as well as go in on Saturday and Sunday and then work a regular week next week (if he’s lucky). But at least he has a job.
Our 401Ks, Roths and SEP have all tanked, but we are fairly lucky in that we are still young and have many years ahead of us before retirement.
I’m a glass half full kind of girl anyway and would prefer to see the blessing that is having a steady stream of incoming work than complain about working late into the night. Thanks for the reminder, Corinne.
MT, come on out to Cleveland. There are tons of foreclosed houses everywhere, even in my little suburban nirvana of Solon. On my bike ride to the library today I biked past three obviously-foreclosed-upon homes. It’s sad. And to make matters worse I got my quarterly statement today for my mutual fund and IRA. Ouch!!! But as Abigail says, I have lots years ahead of me until retirement (if I ever retire…).
MaskedTranslator, I suggest you try This American Life’s Another Frightening Show About the Economy. It helped clarify the issues and implications of the financial crisis for me.
Oops, that would be this link: Another Frightening Show About the Economy.
I agree, Corinne! I commit to not complaining. Having work is a good thing, and we are definitely not getting laid off, which is fab. Yes, our investments are all way down, as is our beloved house, but we are not selling it, so for now, it’s not impacting us (but it’s very annoying anyway). With that, I am off to edit the academic paper on bone marrow.
OK, I’m glad we mostly all agree about this! I think it’s fine to say that you feel overworked, that you’ve been working too much, etc., but I think we should promise not to say that we wish clients would stop calling, anything that denotes wishing for less work. And I agree, even looking at your investment statements right now is a risky proposition. Even for those of us who have 25+ years left until retirement, it’s depressing to watch everything we’ve contributed vanish into thin air! But enough complaining, back to work 🙂
Hi Corinne,
You’re right. I shouldn’t have been complaining about overwork in the past two years of the weak dollar, either, but I did overdo things. However, after 9/15 my tsunami of work dried up. It was very reminiscent of the weeks following 9/11. Normal work levels resumed as of this past Friday. I did need the break, though I couldn’t remember what to do with my free time at first.
Sometimes it seems as a translator I’m tempted to be like the farmers where I grew up, who were never quite satisfied with the weather.
Cheers,
Amelia in Seattle