Singing the American Glues
August 23, 2007 | by brett | Permalink
After CBS big leagued us, and our lunch date cancelled, Pursue the Passion did what it does best. Improvised.
Right now, as I write this, I am in the Metrodome in Minneapolis, stealing wireless internet from the Minnesota Vikings while watching the Twins thump the Mariners. It is 12:55 CT, 10:55 PT on a Wednesday afternoon, and we have a couple hours to kill before our next interviews with a 83 year old boxing trainer and the only female to solely own and operate a boxing gym in America.
I’m not too interested in the ballgame. I’m more interested in who the hell has time for a baseball game on a Wednesday afternoon. It is, after all, the official hump in hump day.
So who is here? Lots of screaming camper kids adorned in the brightest t-shirts you’ve ever seen. Hot Orange, Lime Green, Bright Blue, you name it. They’re having fun. There is not too many business executives here; just the ones trying to close a sale with a client. And a handful of dedicated dads with company logo collared shirts.
The imbalance makes me wonder…if America can’t break away every once in awhile for an afternoon baseball game, what can they break away for?
We were talking last night with our host Christian, a passionate public defender, and discussed his recent vacation to Thailand. We talked about how he had to beg and plead for a two week vacation.
On his vacation he met people from all over the world that were on similar adventures.
But the difference was that the other Aussie and German travelers he met weren’t on a two week getaway, they were on a two-three month vacation.
Here in America, we call that a leave of absence.
These two thoughts came together to make me think, “Are we too caught up in the workplace? Are we so engulfed in our work that we can’t break away for an afternoon ballgame with peanuts and cracker jacks? (Hell, they have wi-fi at the game, you can even check your email while you’re there!) And are we so indispensable that two weeks vacation is an unreasonable request?”
This may sound like an infomercial America. But it’s not. This is reality.
What do you got for me in response?
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THERE ARE 2 RESPONSES TO THIS INTERVIEW
Steve Says:
August 23rd, 2007
I agree with you. Much of it is our American indulgence and striving for more. The Eurpean culture has its advanatages and weaknesses. As for me, it seems that everyone I know is working harder today than yesterday. Regardless of our advances (faster computers, Internet, Google, quick information) it seems like our workplace efficiencies (production output) are falling behind what is being asked of us. Maybe we should just chalk it up to the increased pressure from Global competition.
Eric Says:
August 23rd, 2007
Well,
You are getting a good idea of what the tyranny of corporate America is like. I gave it up for a much better work-life balance and I didn’t take work absence this summer. I took a two and a half week awesome vacation with my wife and four kids.
But it is all a choice. American workers can continue to climb the corporate ladder, only to fall off of it from exhaustion or deprive the abusive companies they work for and stick to a reasonable work week.
As for checking email at the ball game. I’d rather watch the game, email will be there tomorrow.
Guys you are learning what takes most American workers a lifetime to learn.
Keep exposing the truth!
Best,
Eric
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