Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Weird reactions to early retirement announcement.
Old 10-12-2015, 10:03 AM   #1
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
bclover's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: philly
Posts: 1,219
Weird reactions to early retirement announcement.

First, thanks all for everyone's well thought out opinions to my thread last week about accepting a package. my corp is offering.

I've had some rather interesting discussions this morning.

So after giving it some thought I submitting my paperwork to apply for what they are calling VSP (voluntary separation program).

Of course this is all the topic today and to make matters worse there was an article in a Delaware newspaper over the weekend that painting a not so nice picture for the future.

Mods, delete if we're not supposed to link stuff.

DuPont CEO Kullman's exit seen as turning point for company, Delaware

Anyhoo, me and a few others told some coworkers that we were accepting the package.
comments have been eye opening to say the least.

1) "must be nice to have a rich husband leave you a bunch of money".
So I jokingly say, that while my late husband did love us enough to make sure he had all his ducks in a row, losing your spouse at 52 is not a route I would suggest anyone to take.

2) " I wish I could lounge around the house and do nothing, some of us have to work for a living"
WTF correct me if I'm wrong but 22 years at the same company did require me to leave the house every once in a while

just as an example.

Now I hope I'm being sensitive to the fact that there is a real fear around the watercooler today. people are truly frightened about the future of their jobs, I get it but dang it all, what is with the "I'm miserable, let me make you equally as miserable" attitude.

and another compadre J who put in his application is fielding some snide cracks.

Did anyone else get this when they said they were retiring early. wow
bclover is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 10-12-2015, 10:12 AM   #2
Full time employment: Posting here.
ShortInSeattle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 518
I'm so sorry that you've had to deal with such nastiness.

The second comment is rude, while the first is downright horrible.

Congrats on your decision! I suppose an extra perk is that you won't need to deal with the meanies too much longer.

SIS
ShortInSeattle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:14 AM   #3
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,401
It looks like you made the right decision. People are scared and their jealousy is showing. Just try to ignore it and focus on ER.
Meadbh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:16 AM   #4
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
audreyh1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Rio Grande Valley
Posts: 38,001
They should be grateful that you are leaving - maybe means one less cut for folks who can't afford to leave.

Sounds like very sour and bitter grapes! These folks are forced to realize they can't afford to do what you are doing.
__________________
Retired since summer 1999.
audreyh1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:21 AM   #5
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Fair Lawn
Posts: 2,938
Some very nasty co-workers there. Sounds like they are bitterly jealous.
mystang52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:24 AM   #6
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
steelyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NC Triangle
Posts: 5,807
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meadbh View Post
It looks like you made the right decision. People are scared and their jealousy is showing. Just try to ignore it and focus on ER.

I agree. It's easy to get caught up in those kinds of remarks while still on the job, but they magically disappear once you're able to do as you please with your day.

Most of my friends are still working and they'll mention it in a non-jealous way, mainly they're curious about how they can follow in those footsteps too.
__________________

steelyman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:26 AM   #7
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
MRG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,078
Wow,

Time to go. Those are way beyond anything I've heard of. I got snubbed by a couple of folks I started with, but nothing like what you heard.

The worst I received was my mangler who said he was envious. He was middle 60s and I retired at 56, so I understood it. Those folks you're with are scared of their future.
MRG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:28 AM   #8
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Lakewood90712's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,223
Fear often brings out true colors. A couple of fearful / small minded , soon to be ex co-workers to avoid.

Avoid even thinking about these unfortunate encounters if you can. Consider it background noise.
Lakewood90712 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:33 AM   #9
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 5,176
Quote:
Originally Posted by MRG View Post
Wow,

Time to go. Those are way beyond anything I've heard of. I got snubbed by a couple of folks I started with, but nothing like what you heard.

The worst I received was my mangler who said he was envious. He was middle 60s and I retired at 56, so I understood it. Those folks you're with are scared of their future.
+1 I am appalled that people actually said these things to your face! Mine was just "I am envious" comments also. "I wish I could do what you are doing but I still have 2 years left til my youngest is done with college" kind of comments.
tmm99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:36 AM   #10
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South central PA
Posts: 3,469
I got all sorts of positive, envious, congratulations. Then, half the group quit over the next 6 months!

Work environments, especially in publicly traded corporations where it's all about the shareholders and paying layers of management, are clearly very stressful. Most of the reactions are out of their own fears and wishes, and have nothing to do with you.
EastWest Gal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:37 AM   #11
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,358
DH never heard from a co-worker he had been friends with after he told her he retired after a similar situation at work. One day she called to drop by, asked how the job search was going and when she found out there was no job search she not only didn't drop by but we never heard from her again. I guess if misery loves company maybe the opposite is also true.
__________________
Even clouds seem bright and breezy, 'Cause the livin' is free and easy, See the rat race in a new way, Like you're wakin' up to a new day (Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether lyrics, Alan Parsons Project, based on an EA Poe story)
daylatedollarshort is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:39 AM   #12
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Big_Hitter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Les Bois
Posts: 5,761
it's just sour grapes - enjoy your ER!
__________________
You can't be a retirement plan actuary without a retirement plan, otherwise you lose all credibility...
Big_Hitter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:45 AM   #13
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 162
No matter what in life, there are always people who will project their negative attitudes on you rather than join you in your positive accomplishments. I would be grateful that I wouldn't have to associate with them much longer.
enjoyinglife102 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:56 AM   #14
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Sunset's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Spending the Kids Inheritance and living in Chicago
Posts: 17,008
I've been told I look too young to be retired, which I guess is kinda nice.

Too bad these people cannot express it in a more positive way, after all, they all will retire or die on the job someday.
Sunset is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 10:56 AM   #15
Moderator Emeritus
Bestwifeever's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 17,773
Say "You're welcome" after you point out to them that your leaving might keep their jobs safe, which they apparently need.

And please, burst into tears if someone throws the "lucky your DH died" comment at you. That's so awful, it is just hurtful.
__________________
“Would you like an adventure now, or would you like to have your tea first?” J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Bestwifeever is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 11:03 AM   #16
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Bozeman
Posts: 194
Frankly it's not surprising. I blame it on the negative social conditioning that's going on all around us. The drive at work for promotions and pay raises: knowing that they're limited and "if you get it, I won't" plus the whole materialistic, keeping-up-with-the-Jones's attitude everywhere.

When I retire I'm just going to give my notice and not go into the details. Those coworkers that want to know can come and ask and I'll tell them individually, as well as extend the offer to describe to them how I went about ER. I'm interested to see who wants to hear the details, I can't really tell despite having been with most of my coworkers for 4 years now.

So don't let it get you down. As others have said, it's just jealousy and a sign of the concern for their own futures.
l8_apex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 11:23 AM   #17
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Big_Hitter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Les Bois
Posts: 5,761
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bestwifeever View Post
And please, burst into tears if someone throws the "lucky your DH died" comment at you. That's so awful, it is just hurtful.
agreed, very uncouth
__________________
You can't be a retirement plan actuary without a retirement plan, otherwise you lose all credibility...
Big_Hitter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 11:35 AM   #18
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
ivinsfan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,951
Tears? I'd probably say, Did you really just say that? I guess you were raised by wolves.
ivinsfan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 11:42 AM   #19
Recycles dryer sheets
Greencheese's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 265
I feel like these reactions are the same as other situations of success. Sure there's some luck involved but success is usually the result of hard work and planning. Yours just came to fruition before others and it's not "fair" that they can't have their cake and eat it right now too.
Greencheese is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2015, 11:47 AM   #20
Moderator
rodi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 14,169
I think it's human nature - and as other said, based on fear for their own financial security.

I announced my retirement (at age 52) shortly after 2 other people in my small development group had retired. The folks who I worked closely with weren't surprised because I'd been open about reducing expenses, maxing savings in order to retire early. Those who I interacted with less frequently were very surprised... and I got some snarky comments also. One of the worst was from a coworker I'd shared an office with for years... He'd regularly accused me of being "cheap" for bringing in my lunch, not having a smart phone (until prices came down), etc... Same age as me, but he knows he'll be working for decades to come. I attributed his snarky response to jealousy. He later apologized and we're still good friends. (Although I disregard his freely offered "financial advice" about the wonders of leverage and debt to pay for daytrading.)
__________________
Retired June 2014. No longer an enginerd - now I'm just a nerd.
micro pensions 6%, rental income 20%
rodi is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Reactions to ER jim584672 Life after FIRE 28 01-26-2015 09:54 AM
Others reactions to your Financial Independence Golden sunsets Life after FIRE 108 11-14-2013 04:31 PM
Surprising reactions when DW says I retired gotRdone Life after FIRE 55 02-17-2013 11:53 AM
Ft. Hood shooting reactions? Orchidflower Other topics 60 11-11-2009 09:13 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:39 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.