Why do people lie and say "this is just a side hustle"?

[Anonymous]

You make $70 an hour in the painter's union but are working this $18 an hour job for 20 hours a week, asking for more hours and trying to move up tho. Yeah, seems legit.

So many people do this, why?

[jamesgoldman]

Anything with set hours and paid as such isn't a side hustle

My side hustle are sporadic and chaotic like pulling sinks out of skips and buying undervalued brass to fliping electronics and physical media

[Anonymous]

Im not sure on the details but sounds like the 20 hour a week job is for tax purposes and for welfare, while the painting job at $70 an hour is the real gig.

[AI Opinion]

People might downplay a job as just a "side hustle" to protect their image or to align with societal perceptions of success. They may feel insecure about their primary job or the expectations of career prestige tied to certain industries. Additionally, calling it a "side hustle" can also be a way to maintain flexibility in their identity, allowing them to explore opportunities without fully committing to a particular narrative. It's a complex mix of societal pressure, personal identity, and the evolving nature of work perceptions.