话题中的页数:   [1 2] >
Poll: Do you think your acquaintances/friends/family "envy" your life as a freelancer?
论题张贴者: ProZ.com Staff
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Nov 29, 2010

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
Simon Bruni  Identity Verified
英国
Local time: 05:42
正式会员 (自2009)
Spanish西班牙语译成English英语
No Nov 29, 2010

It's too lonely a life for most people. Personally I'm quite happy here in my translator's bubble.

 
Tatty
Tatty  Identity Verified
Local time: 06:42
Spanish西班牙语译成English英语
+ ...
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.
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Alexander Kondorsky
Alexander Kondorsky  Identity Verified
俄罗斯联邦
Local time: 07:42
English英语译成Russian俄语
+ ...
No Nov 29, 2010

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)


 
Michael Harris
Michael Harris  Identity Verified
德国
Local time: 06:42
正式会员 (自2006)
German德语译成English英语
Hadnt thought of it Nov 29, 2010

and wont think about it

 
Catherine Shepherd
Catherine Shepherd  Identity Verified
英国
Local time: 05:42
Spanish西班牙语译成English英语
+ ...
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.


 
Gianluca Marras
Gianluca Marras  Identity Verified
意大利
Local time: 06:42
English英语译成Italian意大利语
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
Adnan Özdemir  Identity Verified
土耳其
Local time: 07:42
正式会员 (自2007)
German德语译成Turkish土耳其语
+ ...
Maybe Nov 29, 2010

Sometimes maybe

Sometimes yes

Sometimes no

[Edited at 2010-11-29 10:34 GMT]


 
Aida González del Álamo
Aida González del Álamo
西班牙
Local time: 06:42
Italian意大利语译成Spanish西班牙语
+ ...
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

 
Madalena Ribeiro
Madalena Ribeiro  Identity Verified
Local time: 05:42
正式会员 (自2007)
English英语译成Portuguese葡萄牙语
+ ...
Yes Nov 29, 2010

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
Jenn Mercer  Identity Verified
美国
Local time: 00:42
正式会员 (自2009)
French法语译成English英语
Maybe... Nov 29, 2010

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.
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Cristina Heraud-van Tol
Cristina Heraud-van Tol  Identity Verified
秘鲁
Local time: 23:42
正式会员 (自2005)
English英语译成Spanish西班牙语
+ ...
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!!


----------------

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]
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Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
美国
Local time: 21:42
正式会员 (自2003)
Spanish西班牙语译成English英语
+ ...
Definitely Nov 29, 2010

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]


 
Sophie Dzhygir
Sophie Dzhygir  Identity Verified
法国
Local time: 06:42
German德语译成French法语
+ ...
Yes Nov 29, 2010

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
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 people who have bigger socializing needs than I have. Although, I am not alone since my husband also works from home. So spending so much time with the loved one might also be enviable, in the end

[Modifié le 2010-11-29 13:14 GMT]
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neilmac
neilmac
西班牙
Local time: 06:42
Spanish西班牙语译成English英语
+ ...
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.
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Poll: Do you think your acquaintances/friends/family "envy" your life as a freelancer?






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