One thing about this site that bothers me (page 6)

A.proclaimer

Someone needs to wash windows, and do other hands-on jobs. Can't have a world without them, so I admire people who do those jobs as well.

I'm not sure I agree with all the apologizing. I honestly don't remember whether I've ever referred to window washing on this site, but if I have, I'm not yet ready to apologize. I don't think anybody who's used the term on this site was speaking in general in a derogatory manner about people who wash windows for a living. I think that term just symbolizes a general concept about JWs, a feeling about the org, a disdain for the uppitiness of JWs, etc. I honestly believe that the org wants its members to perform work like window washing, painting, plumbing, cleaning, etc. For several reasons, it's easier to control them when they are employed in such fields.

I have done all the kinds of work I just mentioned and other types like lawn maintenance, digging out septic tank lines, swinging a hammer, etc. So if I speak in a derogatory manner about, for example, a JW's being a window washer, I'm not referring to all people, including some JWs, who are window washers. I"ve done that kind of work myself and I think I'm intelligent, well-read, educated, capable, etc. As I've indicated, I'm just referring to a general concept having to do with JWs.

Suppose I wanted to be a nuclear physicist. Well, if I were a JW and pursued such, I would be a bad example. However, if I aspired to be a window washer, I would be interviewed at assemblies. It's that concept (including other angles) that I think we're referring to. If a person likes window washing and can make money at it... then fine. That doesn't mean he's lacking intelligence, is not well-read, etc. I truly feel that way.

Suppose, though, that I have a PhD in mathematics, yet I choose to do window washing because I actually prefer the work and associated things like the schedule. I'm obviously smart, yet still, that doesn't nullify the fact the world would hold me in higher regard as a mathematics professor than it would as a window washer. We can't be overly politically correct and not acknowledge that. To be realistic and honest, the world in general doesn't hold window washers, janitors, plumbers, painters, construction workers, etc. in high regard. Again, though, that doesn't mean that all who do such work are in any way inferior The smartest JW I know is a janitor. He is very smart and literally could be a college professor teaching anything from engineering to ancient languages.

So, again, if I use the term "window washer" in a derogatory manner, I'm not generalilzing and speaking derogatorily of all who are such and I don't think there's anything inherently lowly about the work. I'm referring to, for example, uppity, big-shot JWs who think they're really something, but outisde JWdom would be nothing but window washers. There, I said it. As I think somebody sort of alluded to in an earlier post, that term just has a ring to it and just works to symbolize the concept. No offence to anyone, and I might change my mind and apologize after thinking about it more.

P.S. Something else just popped in my head. I think we should admit that there is a perceived status and rank associated with different types of work and in different fields. Consider the field of medicine. I get angry hearing practicing physicians and medical students speaking in a derogatory manner about certain fields of medicine - primarily family medicine and psychiatry. Among many in the medical field, those fields are at the bottom, they are less prestigious, etc. So my point is that I feel that there is a perceived rank, and that cleaning, painting, window washing, framing, etc. are in the lower parts of the stack. The term "window washing" to me just symbolizes all those fields that are not held in high regard by society in general and, to be honest, don't require the education that lots of other fields do (even though some doing the work might be brilliant).

Consider a mother who's at her high school class reunion and the attendees are telling what their children do (a real example inspired me to use this illustration). Even though window washing can be wholesome, financially rewarding work, would a mother really be glad and proud to tell her old classmates that her child is a window washer, especially without providing further info like saying that's what he chose to do so he could support himself in his volunteer work? Think about it. They're proceeding around the room telling what their children do - "CPA", "upper management", "attorney", "sales executive", "physician", "dentist", "architect", "veterinarian", "scientist", "window washer". Which one really stands out? Be honest.

FlyingHighNow

The OP said it bothers him.

Magnum

FlyingHighNow - are you responding to my post? If so, I don't get your point. I wasn't addressing the OP. I was saying there's a lot of apologizing for using the term "window washer", but I don't think it's necessary.

Oubliette

Keyser's done pretty well to get 3 pages of responses to his thread and yet he's only posted one follow-up to his OP!

berrygerry

I, like many JW's, washed windows.

At the time, it actually paid well.

One of the smartest JW's I know washed windows and janitored, but he has had a lot of second thoughts for decades.

He's a regular attender, commenter, etc., but you can tell something eats at him.

In 2013, almost every Awake had an experience of an accomplished (worldly-speaking) person who accepted the truth.

What was different than the past is that not one of them up and quit their jobs and started pioneering.

I was sort of hoping that this would be an indicator that, hey, you can be smart, have an education, and a bit of a life-plan.

Alas, Tony doesn't seem to agree.

new hope and happiness

Now to obtain a successful window cleaning round you need:-

A)Design window cleaning business templates and stationary.

B) Communication and sales skills

C) A well planned and stategic territory

D) Health and safety and employment knowledge.

E) Window cleaning skills

F) Accountancy skills and tax awareness.

In fact to be Successful at anything is an achivement. Take for example the ministry, few excelled at it. Most were indifferent. A window cleaner has a responsibility to their clients and can be a the only form of communication for the elderly, and those housebound for a variety of reasons. In fact the role that a window cleaner can play in his community can place his profession at the forefront of community responsibilty. Least thats the way i looked at my window cleaning experience and why i started a post on the subject many months ago.

Laika

I might be paranoid but I swear JWs used to look down on me for working in an investment bank.

Some of the JW window washers I knew were quite wealthy. I knew one guy who supported his wife and pioneering with just 1 days work washing windows. Amazing.

steve2

I might be paranoid but I swear JWs used to look down on me for working in an investment bank.

I think it would be fair to acknowledge that the organization - and many Witnesses themselves too - do look down on most worldly occupations that require college or higher levels of education.

But the point the OP makes is a good one: Our looking down on window washers - or using the term as a putdown of the JW mentality is reverse snobbism. You don't have to be sensitive or touchy-feely to concede the point.

Fernando

Too true.

Maybe we should instead be focussing on the hounders' (Pharisees') giant sized arrogant attitudes which seem way out of kilter with the image of humble workers ("slaves") that they hypocritically seem to want to project, whilst glorying in their draconian power and authority over the contemptible "laity class" of "dumb sheeple".

"Dare to question us and we'll kill (DF) you in front of all your friends and family."

One thing about this site that bothers me

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