Carol McGiffin: The Way I See It
THEWAY ISEEIT... Wisewords fromourfeisty, fearless andfunny columnist
‘Idon’t like having a go at young people. I think they have a tough enough time as it is, and I sincerely believe that the majority of them are not whingeing, over-indulged, self-entitled “snowflakes”. But then one comes along who really doesn’t help their cause.
This week, Eddie Ledsham found himself in the spotlight after he posted a video of himself moaning about having to work. Eddie is just 22 years old and this was his first job as a teacher.
Although he was warned his first year might be tough – tell me a job where it isn’t – he couldn’t hack not getting home until 6.30pm, or that he had to do marking, or miss football because there was work to do. As a result, he was ready to give up and leave after just three weeks, because it affected his “emotional and psychological well-being”, he said.
What? At 22, I didn’t even know what those words meant! I just wanted to work, however hard, and for however much money.
In the end, he stayed for a whole term, after his mum gave him a pep talk. I hope she said, “Listen, sonny, the world doesn’t owe you a living and work is tough. Now get on with it, you wimp!”
I wouldn’t be surprised if he now wants to be a singer, go on The X Factor, be a reality TV star – in fact, anything that doesn’t involve “real” work.
Well, don’t worry, Ed – I’m sure someone will come and hand it to you, laid out nicely on a plate…’