Lazy Americans! Hide your fucking gut!
I’ve finally had it at work. I’m surrounded by a bunch of lazy underachievers and I can’t stand it anymore. Am I the only one? I am starting to think that it’s an American epidemic. Here are the details.
I work in a tech company, and the people here make a lot of money. I’m guessing my boss makes about $100k. His boss probably makes $125k. That’s a shitload of money. And even us, we make a very good living. I would think the average salary is $60k. In any case, we are well compensated…and yet most of these people around me do the very bare minimum work. In software, we have flex time, which means you can come in anytime so long as you’re around between 10am to 4pm. Lots of people take long lunches, come in late, and leave early. People here don’t take deadlines seriously, and often slip. I look around me and the lazy fuckers are playing video games, watching videos, and doing Facebook for half the day!
Fuck. So, I got fed up with it all and started arguing for change. I am Asian American, and my Japanese parents taught me to work hard. I feel guilty if I don’t do my work, and I don’t like to waste time. The managers here have not implemented any processes, and the project managers are a joke. I started asking them to start setting milestones, track progress, and make people accountable for their tasks. I got them to start doing daily scrum meetings to get people to work more efficiently. I annoyed the heck out of some people while doing this, and criticized a lot of what has been going on. Oh, btw, I’m a fucking graphic designer! It’s not my fucking role to do this, but I stuck my head out because I didn’t like what I saw. All this stuff was implemented, but in the process my passive aggressive tactics upset the bosses above, and they basically reported me to HR! Can you believe this shit? I deserve a medal, and I get a slap in the face.
My boss, my art director, promised so many things when we hired him. I was one of the interviewers, and he had a lot of ideas. He wanted to motivate the team, protect his team, and he also said he’d learn the technology we worked with. Over a year passes, and he didn’t do any of it. What’s worse is he takes lots of days off, and hasn’t implemented anything as an art director. When you get paid $100k and don’t do shit, it makes you a criminal. Meanwhile, when I started asking for these changes, he starts siding with the lazy bastards. So, I let him have it. I told him what a big disappointment he was, and how unmotivating it is to work for him. Worst manager ever. After I called him out, he suddenly starts doing stuff around the office. They criticize me for being negative, but it’s funny how my ‘negative’ comments have motivated these managers to positive change. True, I rub people the wrong way sometimes because I will lose respect for those who do stupid shit. But, if you’re gonna get paid like that, you better earn your pay!
It’s really strange to see so many people so unmotivated and willing to take money for doing shit. I can’t believe their lack of integrity. I sometimes goof off like anybody, but I always hit my deadlines, and often deliver way more than was expected. That’s how I was raised. I feel grateful to my company for giving me a job, and I try to do my best work for them. I understand that if I don’t have a job, I can’t pay for my house and take care of my wife and kid. All of our lives rely on us having an income. All these factors motivate me to focus on my job and work hard. But what about these people? They actually let family get in the way of work, often leaving work early to take care of the kids, or they WFH which basically means they are goofing around. Nobody does work when they are home! I really don’t understand their logic. Don’t they see that if they really want to take care of their families, they need to focus on the job?! If you love your family, you have to work hard for them. You goof off, and you jeopardize your family’s happiness. That’s the responsibility of a breadwinner.
I think it’s a new American mentality created by lazy, rich white people. Asian people work fucking hard. We never feel entitled; we earn every penny. These Americans are unable to push themselves to work faster and more efficiently. They move like snails in the office, with no sense of urgency. They don’t grow as people, and they don’t develop new skills. Most of them are fat and ugly, and totally uninteresting. The ones that are skinny are smokers, and stink. I honestly don’t know how these people can feel good about themselves. They are living a fucking lie. I’m one of the hardest workers, I’m fit, I work on my skills in and outside of work, AND I have a wife and kid. My boss tells me to sympathize for these bastards, but how can I when all I see them do is make excuses. I have just as many, maybe more, responsibilites than these bozos.
I know that Japanese people work hard. They have a group mentality, and will work hard for the sake of the company and their peers. Americans are SO selfish. I’ve done so many things for the sake of my coworkers, but I can’t recall them ever reciprocating. When somebody asks me to do something, it motivates me to do it faster. My American counterparts are unable to work harder for their peers. Japanese people I know deliver when it affects another person. I took a business trip to Canada, and they have the same mentality. They have a good team spirit, and move as a unit. My company here is like a bunch of big kids bumping into each other all the time. Our projects take SO long to finish, and the products we produce are so poorly designed and clunky. It’s embarrassing.
In these cases, I think Americans would be better off if they had a religion. At least they would then feel accountable to God, and do their best. But most people in the tech industry are a bunch of atheist bastards who have no integrity, and no morality. They have no soul. All they think about is entertainment. Stupid movies and TV shows. Fuck Yogi Bear! Fuck Dexter!
So, I decided I’m gonna start looking for work elsewhere. I can’t be around these underachievers no more. I just hope wherever I go is an improvement. But, I worry that this American Disease and Greed is affecting everyone around here. People need to fucking wake up.
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Damn chink. Maybe you should start smoking pot and chill the fuck out.
Focus on yourself and your family. Make the money do your job and don’t take your work home with you. You cant change the way some of us are and unfortunately most people I have met in your field are lazy fat bastards. My wife is Korean and is a workaholic I never see her. She smokes and drinks because she is always stressed out. That shit is going to kill you. Go smoke some pot and watch Yogi Bear.
True, there are some Americans in other industries who are much harder workers because they have to be. My industry is a breeding ground for lazy bastards. But, my company is the worst.
Why the hell do I want to watch Yogi Bear? Did you even care about Yogi Bear when he was a cartoon? And, Fuck pot. The way I relax is drawing and running and lifting weights. I’m not gonna die until I’m at least 80.
Thanks for commenting, but fuck you Johann.
I hardly think Americans would want to be represented by this fat slob no matter how patriotic he is. so I think it’s fair to say most people regardless of who they are would be turned off by this. However, I don’t think this fat slob paints an accurate portrait of the American work ethic. You may be generalizing certain attitudes in the office but really, what’s happening is business is being conducted at a higher level and the rest are there to just oil the machine. Being a minority in the workforce is really no different than being a minority in society. Depending on who you are, people are casted in different lights, some good some not so good. Asians are thought to be quiet and hard working. That’s not a bad thing but leaves room for much improvement. We are expected to shut our mouths and work at a higher standard, but really, the reality is everyone’s held to the same standard and are held accountable for their actions. I’m not just saying that, I see it with my own eyes. I see that people recognize who the fuck ups are. That’s not to say you shouldn’t speak your mind, if you have earned the respect of others.
And Johann, are you a fat slob cracker?
Disclaimer: American, Caucasian, female, 30.
Laziness, lack of integrity, and shirked responsibility annoy the hell out of me, too. Maybe I’ve been unduly influenced since I only date hardworking Asian men.
Every tree has its good and bad apples. Parents’ work and my career have taken me all over the world and provided ample opportunity to observe members of all ethnicities and backgrounds slacking off and demonstrating lack of integrity, including in Japan.
If “all Japanese are hardworking”, how do you explain NEETs, FREETs, or general under-25s who party and live at home while half-assing through university? I’ve met many.
However admirable cultural attitudes used to be, younger (and even not-so-young) generations in developed nations are shifting away from them. The most prevalent attitude I’ve witnessed is that life is about me, myself, I, and reaping the most reward we can for the least amount of effort.
Lol. My passive aggressive tactics for making the work place more efficient have gotten me in trouble with bosses too.
P.S. I ended up leaving for a place where everyone works too hard
But feel much better here.
Crap I didn’t read it all!! Does dat make meh a fuckin’ lazy Korean? And that guy in the pic is ugly. O___o
maybe you should go back to your home country if you don’t like it here in America. You will learn that there are all kinds of people everywhere and that outside of your work issues you’re damn lucky to be in the US. It’s too bad we don’t screen people like you before allowing you into the country.
@ Kate
I was actually born in the US, thank you very much, and I probably have a higher command of English than you do. Unlike your ignorant self, I happen to have experienced living abroad and traveling to be able to see the pros and cons of this country. Believe me, I know we have a lot of pros, but that’s for another article.
I just wish lazy people like yourself would be accountable for your actions, that’s all.
Hi, I’m a Japanese female, 32, living in Tokyo.
Generalizing, categorizing and labeling tend to upset everyone, so I wouldn’t say “Americans are lazy,” but I am 100% with you on being fed up with lazy bastards.
I work with people from all over the world, and two of my co-workers, one from New Jersey, another from Michigan, are the hardest workers at my company. They are extremely efficient, organized, willing to provide more than they’re asked to do and always willing to help others even when they have a ton of their own stuff going on. I have a lot of respect for them and I try to keep up with their work ethic. Oh, and they are both atheists.
On the other hand, there is a Japanese lady I do not get along with, because she takes a cigarrette break every 10 min and tries to blame everyone else for all the mistakes she makes. I once heard her talking to another co-worker, blaming me for something I was completely irrelevant with. She didn’t know I was standing right behind a bookshelf.
If you’re fed up with lazy bastards at work, I think it would be a good idea, as you have mentioned, to work elsewhere. It’s not cool at all to wake up every morning thinking you gotta deal with lazy people’s bullshit. It’s much better to work with people with similrar views and work ethic as yours. Good luck!:)
This is just a warm hearted advise from a mom of grown children. Your angry reaction (and intolerance)to this situation might be your inner calling to look for your higher purpose in life. You are very a passionate, hard working person. It was sad to see that people replied disrespectfully because they did not see beyond your aggressive comments. But, do realize that a virtual “ijime” and the cursing appeals to them and gives the opportunity to express their stupidity -they do not know better-. I have a profound respect for the Japanese culture, mostly for the Issei, that endured hardship humiliations because of ignorant and lazy people, but, for many it is an inspiration for beautiful “haiku”. You are honoring them by being a high achiever, but most of all a productive and hard working American (thank you!).This experience at work will give you another knowledge: life’s injustice. Embrace it as an opportunity to obtain a higher level as a person, there are many causes that would welcome your energy, eagerness and passion for excellence. Human trafficking, children exploitation,or even minority related causes would surely benefit with such a strong advocate like you. You would help people that REALLY need it. Elevate and learn to manage your anger for your own benefit (please, no more on-line cursing). Look into yourself and go beyond (preferably another job), don’t mind lazy co-workers (they are everywhere)and start a higher goal in your life, yes!,keep evolving, you are not an average person. And, why not?,give these lazy people some credit: they are lazy enough as to not get in your way, and,if you look back, they will be sitting right where you left them…
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates.
Not to mention that those lazy people might know something you don’t, which is that the pursuit of efficiency… more money… more product… is really a waste of life and opportunity. Asian people are still programmed to make their countries wealthy through hard work, but most of us are already there. Once everyone has food and shelter, you should start thinking about the better things in life, not just the mindless pursuit of more. How about more love, more civics, more charity, more community, philosophy, more culture? All the things which make a true civilization are precisely the things which most people complain that they have no time for because they are too busy working. You had too much money a long time ago. Start being more ambitious and don’t waste your life working hard like a mindless drone.
PS: Am Asian. ‘Most of us’ = those of us here as immigrants, and also our origin countries, most of which are now wealthy also.
When this rant was written, I was very angry, and knew it was controversial. After time has passed, I am a little calmer, but not much has improved in terms of process and productivity. I have been looking around for work, but due to the economy it’s been hard to find other opportunities.
I agree with ‘higher pursuits’, such as art, charity, music,philosophy, and activism. I was out fundraising for the Japanese tsunami disaster just last week.
I am learning to be more compassionate with these people. It’s a difficult balance to create change while being understanding of the actions of people.
I’m pretty sure at some point you’ll realize that there’s more to life than just work…. why get mad at laid-back people who are basically letting you do more change in the world? The world is a very just world. What you are seeing, if it really is that way, those people will be dealt with to the fair measure in some way or another. They are merely under people’s mercy at this point. And to say Americans are lazy is really off-putting. Aren’t you American too?
I’ve seen a lot of you 60k ers who are lazy in those software, sales and office type jobs and I’m not having much sympathy to the whining any of you do. I’ve watched as my wages were destroyed over the last 20 yrs. with foreign labor both legal and illegal. I do very physical brutal work in all trades and now I have only damaged knees, hands, feet and back to show for it. I did get to watch as others got very rich off of people like me; all the while conspiring amongst themselves to prevent [through new laws, fees, certification processes, and other means] people like me from becoming their competitors.
Buy 3rd world products, expect 3rd world wages.
Well that’s kinda true…makes me racist against my own race……
At least one third of the people at my school is Hispanic–they kinda lazeh. The white kinda lazeh too…but yet, our school made the best test scores in da county. O___o We all lazy in a way u know…
BE JEALOUS OF MEEEEEE
I agree with you. Being a business owner I’ve gone through many employees. From stealing, to wrecking the equipment, doing drugs on the job, etc..I can’t seem to find people who really want to work. People are becoming more resigned to hand-outs and government help, with no care or pride in the job they’re doing. My father owns a few businesses as well as a successful corporation. He started out poor, no high school diploma, etc..but any job he did, he applied 100% of himself. I’m a hard worker and take anything I do seriously, but also enjoy my down time, leaving work at the threshold.
You know what it is? Americans (no matter what race) are people of ENTITLEMENT – we all want to pay less taxes, more benefits, more pay, but work less. Americans are arrogant, especially our younger generation. The older generations built this country to be great and the younger folks do nothing but complain and ask, “where’s my piece of the pie?” without doing any work or ways to earn it. They feel entitled to it.
I like the way you put that. Troubles coming..it’s on the news daily, and where will the whiners be?
Too many people these days are bashing the newer generations. Although it is true when they point out a lack of responsibility in most young people today, they praise the older generations forgetting that it was those very generations that lead by example and passed on the ideals in “more money, less work”. Just as you would hold a parent responsible for the behavior and shaping of their child, you must not forget the generations preceding these newer ones set the stage for this “American” feeling of entitlement. Most people reflect what they were taught and not enough people grow up to make the change themselves. I am an 18 year old Hispanic American female and it may seem like I am just sticking up for my generation, but the truth is that I believe that there are much much more people to blame in this case. Think about how often you are disappointed in politicians who are years and years older than us kids. Age does not matter when it comes to this trend of disregard for standards and work ethic. It is not a “new thing” that the young people practice. I believe it is something that has ran deep in American government and corporations and is only getting less subtle as the years pass.
@Alexis. Good points, and thank you for commenting. You’re very sharp for your age.
To clarify, the people I was ranting about are all older gentlemen in their late 30s to late 40s. These bosses have somehow climbed the corporate ladder, and are sitting comfortably in their positions and doing the least amount of work to earn their bloated salaries. True, there are some lazy guys here in their 20s, but I don’t feel they are the main problem.
I agree that the young may feel entitled due to their wealthy and comfortable upbringing. It’s the same in Japan. Kids don’t feel they have to work hard because they’ve been given smartphones and computers by their parents. What is there to strive for? It’s a delicate balance that many parents fuck up on. As a parent, my goal is to keep my kids motivated, even if it means that I have to lay down the law. Lots of parents in this day and age are soft, and can’t seem to do this for fear of hurting their kids’ feelings. That’s fucking BS. Parents should not be their kids’ best friend. That makes no sense at all, and it undermines the disciplinary role that is required of the parent for the moral development of their kids.
An interesting book, which I will write a post on, is the Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. It talks of a Chinese American mother who raises her kids Chinese style. She’s over the top in terms of discipline and motivation, and many Americans were shocked and outraged by the woman’s harsh treatment. But, as the book points out, I agree that many American parents are too soft, and raise a bunch of unmotivated wusses. So, I do agree that it’s the adults who are to blame for everything.
In any case, when you look at the global situation, and see millions of people in need, HOW CAN YOU FEEL ENTITLED? ! I don’t understand that level of selfishness, I really don’t. I work hard not for myself, but so that I can help society and help the weakest amongst us. That’s the moral and ethical responsibility these people lack.
Although I can sympathize with your situation, I’m sorry, but I stopped taking this seriously when you mentioned ‘atheist bastards.’ You don’t need to believe in fairy tales to have a sense of integrity and morality.
@Maya
Believe me, I don’t care if you’re athiest or Christian or Buddhist or a Satanist if you do your fucking job! My point with that line is that some people need motivation, and if it’s God that’s going to motivate them, then I’m fine with it. (Personally, I’m agnostic and don’t need a church.)
Anyways, I’m fucking happy. I finally found another job despite this recession. Tomorrow is my last day at this place, and I’m moving on muthafuckas!
Americans are very prone to believing they are entitled to everything. Its a shame that its come to this, but don’t worry Sam. When the economy really collapses, those lazy fucks you work with are gonna be out on the street begging for even more free shit. BTW, I’m a white dude, but I came from a working class family and I see things exactly like yourself. To many rich white kids are complaining cause they actually have to work once they graduate high school. BUT, with that being said, this sickness is not unique to whites by any means, many African Americans along with other races complain about not getting enough free shit just like many whites. The problem is the system of entitlements you’re talking about. Get rid of all that bs and we’ll have a completely even playing field. There will be one rule as we’ll, you don’t work, you don’t eat.
Lol, single asian male, in short, you are stupid. Yes, you can read … stupid
Firstly, we all live in a society and community and out of that flow benefits. Indeed, we are entitled to many things because this is a country that has built itselt to the point where we can feel entitled. work/life balance is important and at the end of the day, who cares about some activity that enriches a corporation if you cannot have a good relationship with your wife and children? Most of the things that arose within countries are artificial, graphic design is one of those artificial things. Look at tribal societies.
You’re having difficulty in coming to terms with the point of living and to you the whole point is to work hard, perhaps above and beyond your fair share of work. Hmm… as long as you do the required amount and obtain the required pay, that is all that matters. The rest of the time is your family’s. Your children need assistance with learning about the world, with socialising. Your wife needs assistance in finding a good dentist or car repairer or just wants you to speak with her and discuss the latest trends. Culture is not just work.
No arguments that you have presented in pushing people in your workplace to work hard are valid. All you have done is upset people and failed to understand living and life in a first world country, where people are entitled because society has worked and succeeded and it is a lucky position to be in.
If you don’t wish to have this lucky and desirable position then leave and give the chance to someone who will appreciate the wealth of entitlement, good salary, lots of time off … these are blessings, why can’t you understand that? Why don’t you go to a third world country and good luck with having any time off and having any priviledges, or being happy. Pity to your family.
@Dragon
I think you’re the stupid ignorant one. Do you even have a fucking job?
Watching the news today, only 70% of Americans are working right now. What about the other 30%? I’m guessing many of those people are the ones who felt entitled and coasted along, only to be let go once things got bad.
BTW, I left the workplace I wrote about several months ago, and have moved on to a new one. I seriously work less, and will get paid 3 times what I earned before the next few years. How? Well, this new company has a good work ethic, and we got acquired for several hundred million dollars. Bonuses, baby. I go to work at 7:30am, get home at 5pm. Spend 3 hours with my kids going for walks, fixing dinner, and giving them baths before putting them to bed. My wife and I have a great relationship. Are you even fucking married, and do you even have kids?
Anyway, I was right. After I left that workplace, several others also left. Everyone who left is doing better, and the old company is still downsizing. If you’re grateful for what this country has given you, shouldn’t that motivate you to work more? Well, if you don’t, then you can join the 30% out there who have no job or skills. And, as a graphic designer/animator, I have lots of skills, buddy. You know all the websites you spend hours surfing? Well, they all required a designer, you fuck. You know all the video games you play? Those also require guys like me. So, you’re fucking welcome. What do you do? Are you some farmer or construction worker or something?
lol, well … I was right. Though, you are getting smarter. Afterall, you went to a company where you work less and get paid more. Congratulations. That is all that the slackers at your last company wanted and somewhat achieved by cruising through the day.
So, a few people have left and the old company is downsizing? Great. Eventually, things will improve for all. Those that left have improved their lot, those that have stayed will get a pay rise and benefits, though they may need to work harder to compensate for the talent that left.
Work smarter, not harder.
I own a few businesses and dabble in corporate governance. Actually, although your answer seemed a bit crude, it was expected since people like you cannot see reason and have difficulty in accepting criticism. Try this for a change: compassion. Compassion is of utmost importance in this world. It must come from within and be part of your nature to begin with … oh, well. However, this had helped me stay in business through the tough times and the good times.
Bollocks to the rest of your stupid questions. Sit under a tree for a while and figure the rest of things out by yourself
Don’t let me catch you working past 5.30pm.
@Dragon
I believe in compassion for sure. I find it funny you preach compassion when you started with “Lol, single asian male, in short, you are stupid. Yes, you can read … stupid”. I think we can all gain by sitting under that bodhi tree. No hard feelings, good luck, thanks for posting.