My friend is making fun of my job and it really hurts me? What should I do?

[Anonymous]

My friend is in college and I'm a flight attendant. I have a bachelor degree. I love my job, but my friend keeps saying stuff like "oh so what did you serve today?" in a very condescending tone. I went through a very tough training where I learned how to deliver babies, save people with heart attacks, evacuate 500 passengers in less than 2 minutes, confront hijackers, etc. I'm not just a waitress in the sky. Every 6 months I have to pass very difficult exams in order to renew my license to fly. It really hurts me when she makes fun of my job. What should I do?

[lightbulb27]

She doesn't have much in the way of feelings or empathy does she? And you do. You pick that "friend"? I'd move her out of that category to acquaintance and possibly to block fast because you are not equiped to handle that kind of personality yet.

My guess... she's jealous you have direction, looks, stability, money and she's really miserable and unfocused about her life. Or she just lacks any emotions due to her own issues. Most people don't understand another's reality. You can try to be empathetic and listen to how her life is and explain this (not recommended right now). She's being rude though, if can't handle her stuff in a humorous way and push it back (and apparently you can't as it is hurting your feelings.. e. g. you need to learn boundaries and build inner strength), then you need a real friend. You also need to do some work on your emotional self... due to the situation you just got sucked into with this person... says something about you. the only thing you control is you. You are being sensitive and open to the wrong person, that is a concern and thus use this as an opportunity to grow. This is the kind of friend that can suck you into a world of hurt...

p. s. this is kinda what guys do to guys when they are joking around and positioning for power... not specifically with jobs, but other areas. It's in effect... cutting someone else down... bullying.

Fly safe!

[Dattendeur]

You enjoy and love what you're doing, that's what's really rare here , kuddos to you!

Now regarding your friend , for whatever reason. Start laughing with it and even playing along, they're gonna get tired of not getting a trigger out of you and will naturally stop doing so, or you won't take any offense to it and will see the comedic value of it over time?

On top of it all you succesfully learned to not take yourself too seriously and learned how to stop someone from bullying you. Both very good qualities to have.

Now there's many reasons why your friend does what he/she does. And it's most likely got something to do with them internally struggling with something and expressing it in a less desirable manner.
Or them just having a weird sense of humor.

You have nothing to prove , you know how much you sacrificed and had to study/work for it. Their opinions and remarks are uninformed and because they are uninformed , they shouldn't affect you.
(Even if they were informed , you still are the judge , and as such deem their opinions or remarks applicable or not).

[nightdrot]

"There are two kinds of jobs a man can do;
the kind he loves and the kind he does best;
if the two are the same then he truly is blessed."

Your friend will be very lucky to be so blessed. Does your job make you happy? Does it pay the bills? Does it generally give you the kind of lifestyle you want? Is it an honorable profession in the sense that it benefits others as well as yourself?

If so, then you have nothing to feel bad about. In fact, and I rarely speak so bluntly, your friend strikes me as a braying a**.

What should you do? Go on enjoying a life and career that makes you happy. Living well is the best revenge.

Oh, and if your friend persists, then you tell him/her that you don't appreciate the tone. That you are happy and what has she/he accomplished today and are they as happy as you are.

This I want to stress - YOU HAVE NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR. You see more of the world in a week than most will in their lifetimes. That alone should tell you just how good a life you have and how proud you ought to be of what you do.

[DaBr3m]

Well I'll just share my story with you. I'm 22 and I make between $65-70k with a 2 yr college "degree" apprenticeship through a company. I started when I was 18 right outta high school. People made fun of me because i didn't go to college all my other friends did. I enjoyed working with my hands and did this instead of a 4 yr degree and racking between 60-100k in debt.. personally I've always been against debt unless there's a financial benefit or investment to go in it. I bought my truck worth possibly 30-35k now 3 years ago and paid cash for it at 19. 5 months later I was forced to buy a house. I work constantly and paid 20% so far in a year and a half.. my point is everybody has different goals and desires in life. Whether you love and if you dont make a lot but are happy doing it, do it. If you hate it and make a lot you'll be miserable until you retire. My best advice I can give is realizing you enjoy what you do and they possibly don't so its a self feel good attack because they're miserable. Just keep your eyes on your goals and you'll be fine. If you want to keep the friendship going look them straight in the eye and say what's going on that you need to put walls up to make fun of what i do? Best of wishes and hope for the greatest for you on what your decision may be.

[sinnrik]

Be the bigger person and remember two things:

1) your friends gets to smile and laugh because of you... If thats something you can do for your friend because he/she is that good a friend then leave your ego out of it and be happy for them. They will eventually stop, because the idea of making fun is to get the other person to react. If there is no reaction, the act just becomes redundant, it doesn't stay funny anymore and the act gets dropped all together. This is one way of looking at it, the other way being that you love seeing them happy and you're willing to put up with it. They might be using comedy or sarcasm to cover something up that they themselves might not want to accept or acknowledge.

2) no work/job/profession is little. If you have to put in your hardwork, your blood and sweat, your earning you're living and no matter how meager or little it maybe, it reflects your dignity and integrity. Think about it, you can always steal, loot, plunder, but for some reason you choose dignified work over crime. If that's something your friend can't see, what kind of a friend is that... Not the sincere kind i'd say, or at least a very narrow-minded one.

[Telekinetic-Potato]

Even if you were just a waitress. I'm sure you make good money, you get to reavel the world, which is an experience most people only wish they could have and most importantly, you're happy.

Fuck that person, misery loves company, don't let your friend lower you down to their level. Having friends like that is fine but just remember to keep influences like that at a distance. Your friend sounds like a very unhappy person who puts themself through a lot of pressure. If you ask me, you're doing a lot better than many.

I would say that you should look for other people to spend your time around who see things the way you do. You don't have to cut your friend off, but you should definitely have the confidence in yourself to allow yourself to be proud of the choices you're proud of. And if they can't see it that way, they just aren't mature enough.

[notatrap]

Yea, it sounds like she needs to mature a little more to catch up to you. I like to say, "those who aren't up to speed, haven't suffered enough." Dark, I know.

You can either play along and keep her as a friend or confront her, see what's bothering her. Both will work.

She is coping with something and crying for help by 'bullying you', in a sense. She might just be in a transitional phase in her life. She also sounds kinda jealous, but it sounds like she's trying to be playful and joke around. She's definitely in deep turmoil and pain. Find out what's up and what you can do for her.

[spartan55]

Your friend is either ignorant to what your job entails, or looks down on it regardless. I do think you are being a bit sensitive about it (unless you didn't include some other stuff). Unfortunately there are many people who think your job is nothing more than a glorified cocktail server, which is a shame because nothing could be further than the truth.
Have you had a talk with your friend about this? Tell her what you said here about the training etc. and let her know that it hurts your feelings. Then if she continues with the comments you'll know she is a shitty friend and you can get rid of her.

[kangy]

Flight attendant was one of my childhood dream jobs but in order to be qualified I need to look pretty and be of certain height, which I failed in these two.
I hadoften envied the job of flight attendant in the past because you got to travel freely in the world, but as I grew older I know this role is tougher than we think.

If you have a "friend" who made fun of your job, then please drop him or her. Such people can't be your friends. Friends are supposed to protect and support one another. Not everybody can be a flight attendant and why must people work in office as it is not the life that suits every single person.

[ColoradoKid]

I think that she may be jealous because you get to travel and see more places than she can and you get paid to do it. If you are truly happy with your job then keep doing it. Tell her how it makes you feel when she starts in on you. If she is a true friend then she will apologize and never say anything like that again.

My best friend that I have had since 5th grade made fun of me because I like to wear women's shoes. I told him how I felt when he said what he did. I told him that I am the same person that I was my entire life. I am still your friend and will never think differently of you for your likes or dislikes. He then apologized and gave me a hug. He dont normally do that. This man is a marine and the alpha male of my friend group. He has yet to say anything like that again.

[Sagethewiseman]

Your friend is jealous of the freedoms and adventure your job provides you. They are simply jealous. If you are from us and fly with American or United you could be potentially in HONG KONG, SYDNEY, LONDON, PARIS BEIJING, Etc. while they are pumping their own gas at costco, hitting starbucks then grinding 10hr at the firm trying to even be noticed to make partner, and coming home to the unruly next gen imbicile juvenile x2 only to get up and do it again and again and again. Plus it sounds like you love what you do. And when you do you are supposed to stop giving a fuck what others think, because you've found you. And they are still looking. A key to life as we know is personal happiness. They are no where near it.

Do they ask for buddy passes? If so tell them your airline dissolved that program due to. Budget cuts... fuck with them back.

[Anonymous]

i would probably say 'it was brown?'

Misery loves company they say.

The biggest problem is that part where you said 'it really hurts me' you need to understand that that is a choice that you made, your 'friend' gave you an invitation to be hurt by the comment you dont have to accept the invitation and you dont have to say anything either.

You define you, you like your job and you are proud of what you have achieved, everyone else can shove what they think up thier ass, it doesn't matter what they think, at all.

Also you are probably hot =P

[coolhandroo]

What the he'll does she do? Your job cones with the benefit od free travel anywhere on earth. It's one of the greatest benefits offered by a cimpany in history. It takes talented people capable of high stress management and critical thinking in sudden and unexpected situqtions which is a combination that will give a person a skill set finely tuned for success. I would encourage my daughter with all of my heart to take some time to spend in that field if at all possible. Waitress on a plane, thats so fucking stupid to say. Like delivering babies is simialar to baging groceries right? She sounds like a bitch, I dont know why her opinion bothers you but just use the same patience and frustration tolerance youe been practicing and smile and nod. And make new friends. You only run into literally people from every background and walk of life that exist so you there are some neat people to chose from

[gotc147]

Well, most people don't understand what a Flight Attendant is really there for, they really do think they're just waitresses in the sky.

Next time she says something reply in airline lingo, tell her how many legs you did between what cities using the city codes, tell her that you crusied at flight level 300 (three-zero-zero, or whatever altitude you were at) at a speed of 300 knots, etc.

When she acts confused just tell her "what? Is that hard for you to understand?"

[gbguy2430]

First, have confidence in your experience and credibility - you dont have to prove anything to your friend and there's nothing your friend or anyone can do to take away your accomplishments at your job.

But you can always reply positively. Dont play into the game - she wants you to feel bad and if you respond opposite of that then she'll likely not get the rise she was looking for and eventually stop.

I'd respond with good/productive experiences at work (outside of serving food) to consistently communicate the comprehensive diverse work responsibilities you do every day. Even if you make up the response, the idea is to project a confident/happy/positive answer to her repetitive question.

[kdid35]

If you love your job like what you're doing and it pays the bills then I wouldn't worry about what anybody else thinks tell them if they don't like your job to pay your bills for you and see how far that goes but I don't think you should ever quit a job you love especially curse someone that Downs it don't quit

[Sensmind]

Yeah I imagine there is heavy training requirements and it will probably grow as rules/regulations change - Your friend sounds a bit of the snob - When she finishes college and spends a bit of time in the real world, she will learn to appreciate other peoples' occupations.

[aWes0MeNeSs]

It sounds like she's really insecure about something. If you love your job, that is all that matters. Clearly, there is something in her life she isn't happy with and it bothers her to see you happy with your job.

I'd honestly just distance myself from her. She's not a supportive "friend" and I think she just wants to make you as miserable as she is.

[ChronicThinker]

Tell her that next time she says it:

"I'm sorry, can you deliver a baby, save someone's life, travel around the world within days? No? Then I don't understand how you get off making a mockery of my career. If you want to continue to do that, we don't have to continue being friends because it's really hurtful to me when you do that."

[angryllama]

Well if I was you (so why you should listen lol) but I do the same back to her. Be equally as petty and brag. But honestly I would ask her what’s her problem and how she’s feeling and you don’t like when she does it. Or she can hit door bc there’s no time for negative Nancy’s. Tell her you can serve her a first class ticket to sucking your dick if she still wants come at you. I don't know hope my meanness helped lol.

[yucychan]

So why are you still friends with such a person?
The only reason why she puts you down like that is so that she could feel better about herself. In reality, she envies you for having a job.
What I find baffling is why do you still hang out with such a person, even considering her as a friend. If I were you, this type of person wouldn't even be in my life.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

Like everything in life we all have to look at the bright side of things. When most us are sitting in our desks, roaming the halls or feeling grounded you have wings & you can fly anywhere. In addition I’m sure the benefits are outstanding such as travel benefits, networking benefits & more. If your friend asks what you served today tell her you served something better than the bull$hit your serving me right now.

[theCobbler]

Sounds like she's jealous, more than anything! People who are Jealous, will, think up anything to put down those who , they're jealous of! Does your friend have a boring job? How good of a
" Friend " is She?
Stay the course, Life is too Short not to do what You love!

[melisa53]

Not a true friend. Tbh, speak to her about it, and you dont even have to tell her all the stuff you did and how hard you worked for your lisence, your friend needs to understand how important your job is to you WITHOUT all that info. If your friend keeps on doing it. Dump that friend.

[andreasderjuengere]

You did not chose your profession because of others, but for yourself.
Why can an 'outside' opinion hurt you?
From your friend's comment I sense a 'criticism' to have traded in a bachelor level for being a 'waitress'; and THIS makes sense... in itself. But she seemingly is not aware of the things that are behind the scenes. So just explain it to her.

[John_Doesnt]

I think you're way too sensitive and probably won't have any friends for long. Most, if not all, friends tease and make fun of each other. If she wasn't really your friend she probably wouldn't care what you did for work at all.
Time to grow some thicker skin.

[Victrixen]

Maybe she doesn't have a good understanding of what you had to get through to become a flight attendant. Telling her more about it might inform her a little more. If she knows how hard it was, and still is rude to you, after you asked her to stop, maybe it's time to find another friend.

[Anonymous]

Tell your friend that you love your job and that they aren’t gonna get far in life with such a negative attitude towards people and what they do for work personally I think you should stop being friends with them friends should be lifting you up not trying to tear you down

[pizzalovershouse]

Point out do you think my job is easy an say why dont you answer the question from my trading book an let's see if you fail once she sees how hard it is she mite learn it's not something she can laff at an then realise there are some complicated things she dint know to your job

[DiscomfortZone]

1. You are in fact a waitress in the sky, as you'll never have to use any of these ass-covering skills. Not that there's anything wrong with that!! We all need waitresses up there, don't we?
2. Your "friend" is jealous as fuck :) If you don't enjoy the attention, why haven't you ditched them to hell?

[wankiam]

when you friend finishes uni and finds that the job market is so competitive they have to take a job in a call centre to pay the rent im sure you will have the last laugh as you travel the world

[kangy]

agree

[Lynx122]

She probably doesn't enjoy what she's doing and doesn't know what she wants to do in the future so she has to put you down like that. I'd just look for better friends, she's not worth it. Flight attendant is a great job :).

[EveMay]

If you care about her, then told her what you feel when she is saying that way. But be ready she wouldn't understand, cause she doesn't look much empathy person.
And in my opinion, you don't need such a friend much. Just saying.

[theronaldmcdonald]

Tell her how you feel, maybe she doesn’t realize how it’s coming off. If she doesn’t stop, don’t be her friend anymore. Flight attendants are very respectable, it’s a tough gig and I don’t understand why people think otherwise.

[GraveDoll]

not sure how your job is something to make fun of. it good paying job my friend does it, and love to hear her stories and miss he when she leaves for a week at a time.

that not a friend and you need to let her know quick,

[Prof_Don]

This sounds like one of toxic people that befriends you just to put you down, to boost herself up.

I would not be able to withstand being around a friend like this.

[Dargil]

She's not your friend. A friend would not run you down even if you were a stripper.
Tell her that if she thinks she is your friend, to stop ignorantly running you down. One more time and you are gone.

[Laozi]

You have two choices-
1. Give them a taste of their own medicine. Make fun of their job and let them realize how it feels.
2. Whenever they try to make fun of you, just laugh (as loud as you can) and tell them it was a very funny joke.

[Onearth]

you should cut her off of your life, she is not a good friend. friends should make you happy and be there when you need them. you absolutely dont need her, believe me.

[Trolloween]

Maybe ask her if her dad ran off with a flight attendant or something. Basically tell her to back the fuck off, friends joke they don't make you feel bad

[Anonymous]

Your friend is obviously not a very nice person and they should either apologise or lose you as a friend. You’d doing what you love and that’s what counts. P. s I would’ve loved to be a flight attendant because I love travel but I’m way to tall to be one, but if my friends had a problem I’d tell them to get stuffed and at least I’m doing something I love.

[Anonymous]

Tell your friend, that she will most likely prepare that food in factory, that you serve. After finishing her degree.

I do driving job, after finishing my Masters, I love the job, hate being stook in office all day.

And I would need to earn 40% less for >5 years, if I would decide to do job that I have Masters in and now I can't afford it.

[Jijitendra]

First of all you assess your situation if you find that you take best decision in regards to job than leave the friend for some time. If you not take good decision in regards to job , than your friends are right.
So that keep in mind for taking good decision. Please read the story of Allen musk.

[Konabeana]

Explain to her that it hurts you. She obviously isn’t mature enough to respect your boundaries so you may want to make them more clear if you are going to continue that friendship

[dipeshnagpal]

Hey.
You are doing a very good job.
Never listen others you knew about your job the best if they are making fun of it because they are jealous you are earning a handsome money and they don't. Secondly, If you loved your work then just do it doesn't matter others love it or not.

[davids88]

She is not a friend but a piece of shit. Stop talking to her or ask her how many dicks she sucks in college or how many sugar daddies she sleeps with to pay her college fees.

[Anonymous]

Just remind her that you're making money and that she's not. Also when she gets her boring deskjob, mention all the boring things about her job. I think a job as a flight attendant is amazing because you get paid to travel the world. Normally, when someone is jealous of somebody, they don't compliment them. Instead they hate on what they're jealous of so they feel mentally superior. :)

[foxrider77]

Why are you concerned what your friend thinks about your work? Does she get to travel the world or fly back from Chicago to Atlanta three times a day?

[Nik1hil]

Simple...
That person is not your friend..
If they can see the joke is hurting you but they keep doing it..
Just sever the strings end the friendship

[metalhead_66]

Tell her that you don't like to hear these types of negative comments. If she's really your friend she would have been very much supportive and less sarcastic about the things you do

[Thatsamazing]

Are you positive that that's what she's doing? Maybe it's possible that you're misconstruing it? I'm not saying you are because I wasn't there obviously, but maybe she just doesn't realize the impact of what she's saying to you?

[Anonymous]

Tell her it bothers you and to please stop. If she's a true friend, she'll respect that. Just tell her if she's got nothing nice to say, they just say nothing and keep those thoughts to herself.

[Truthatanycost]

Find friends that don't emotionally abuse you, and that support your growth and life instead.

[AynonOMouse]

If your friend is still in college when criticizing you, next time say, "Oh, how much more debt did you get in loans this semester?" lol

[Anonymous]

wow your job sounds very hard i have a lot of respect for you and your job

now your so called friends does not sound like a real friend as real friends should be supportive of you and not make fun

[danman27]

Sounds like jealousy to me. Your job is awesome and your training and position makes you responsible for peoples lives.

[DizzyDesii]

I wouldve said I’ve gone places you’d never be able to afford to go 🤷‍♀️ Perks of being a flight attendant 👍👍

[Anonymous]

You don't have to really justify your position to her. It can be envy from her (but who knows). I believe that she is not really a true friend if she is not going to support and instead mock your endeavors.

[jamesgoldman]

If your friend has no job and you do you're ahead... college doesn't get you a job for sure
I know a women who used to be a flight attendant and she has watches from most of the big Swiss brands

[Pete671]

Defriend them, you do an incredibly responsible job that not many are capable of, and is very often not appreciated by the passengers,,,

Your "friend" maybe tried to the same job and got rejected because they weren't good enough,,,

[King_Alt]

Simple really. They are apparently no longer a friend and more of an acquaintance. If they can't be supportive of you then cut them out of your live because those are the type of people who are only your friend when they need something from you.

[Paris13]

Fair Weather Fly Out the Window Friend to the End. Jealous of you. Dump her. xx