ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | I totally understand the question

Elena Carbonell — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:17:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Elena Carbonell
Post title: I totally understand the question

I think I get it.
It's more like people thinking: "eh, you are not working in a project right now, maybe you can buy the presents for that birthday we have next weekend or you can go to the school to help with this activity that will take all morning".
In that case I have to say that most people don't understand and that they don't take that into account when I tell them that I have to be available. Many people think that being your own "boss" means you can work whenever you want. Being my own boss means I can work WHEREVER I want and with my pyjamas!
We definitely cannot decide on our "WHENEVER".

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Perhaps the question should be reworded

casey — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:08:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: casey
Post title: Perhaps the question should be reworded

I think perhaps what the question was meant to ask was "Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available _during your regularly scheduled work hours_?"

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | You may not always "have to," but surely most of us often "need to"

María Eugenia Wachtendorff — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:22:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: María Eugenia Wachtendorff
Post title: You may not always "have to," but surely most of us often "need to"

I manage my time. None of my clients "assumes" that I will be available at their beck and call.

But let's face it: if you have to pay the rent, bills, etc., and the market starts playing tricks like the ones we've seen recently --excuse me if I'm wrong!-- then, when several clients call all at once with "urgent" projects, you magically become "available" against all your principles and better knowledge.

After twenty years as a full-time freelance translator, my huge family and all my friends have come to understand how this choice of mine works. I may miss a birthday party once in a while, but... such is life! :)

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | I have a dog that understands I must always be available

Muriel Vasconcellos (X) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
Post title: I have a dog that understands I must always be available

Her name is Snow. She is so insistent that I pay attention to her IMMEDIATELY when I'm at my computer that we have been working with behaviorists for 3 years to try to change her mind. She used to throw hissy fits when I didn't pay attention to her; now she just lies and groans and mutters for hours on end. Her twin sister, Sunshine, is just the opposite - totally patient. Her message is always "That's fine, Mom. I can wait. Do what you have to do."

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Exactly

Jenn Mercer — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Jenn Mercer
Post title: Exactly

[quote]Gianni Pastore wrote:

The question is "do your friend of family make a fuss when you let them down because of a sudden job?"

My answer: yes, my friends do not always understand that I have to spend the night working rather than going out with them.

G [/quote]

Gianni,

This is a much better restatement of the question and I have often had this come up in the past. However, now that my husband understands how much more I make with translation than with writing, it makes a bit more sense to him. I have also found that he is more understanding after a thin month. For my daughter, it is harder to explain, but I try to spend more time with her when I am not working rather than spending all my excess time on marketing.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Other

humbird — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:08:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: humbird
Post title: Other

Life is unpredictable. I cannot be "always available". My life's priority is always chainging each day, each week, and each month.

Having said that, I have to admit my job is fairly important to us.
My hubby understand that ane thank God, he is flexible:)

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | You are 100% right!

suraj jaiswal — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:31:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: suraj jaiswal
Post title: You are 100% right!

[quote]Gianni Pastore wrote:

The question is "do your friend of family make a fuss when you let them down because of a sudden job?"

My answer: yes, my friends do not always understand that I have to spend the night working rather than going out with them.

G [/quote]

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | In my case they consider me a rich jobless Man

Mohamed Gaafar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:27:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Mohamed Gaafar
Post title: In my case they consider me a rich jobless Man

[quote]Interlangue wrote:

Some family and some friends consider I should be permanently available for THEM (even though they are not for me!).
I sometimes chose to be available for customers rather than some activities with friends and/or family.
[/quote]
After so many years I have manage to introduce the concept of a freelancer to my very small, limited, circle of interest community wife, mother, bank employees, tax authority, door man; etc. Some of them started to get the notion others still strongly believe that I'm a rich jobless dude :) cheers

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Other

Interlangue (X) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:52:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Interlangue (X)
Post title: Other

Some family and some friends consider I should be permanently available for THEM (even though they are not for me!).
I sometimes chose to be available for customers rather than some activities with friends and/or family.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Most of the time they do

Catherine Winzer — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:51:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Catherine Winzer
Post title: Most of the time they do

On the whole, I find my friends and family to be quite understanding about my workload. They have their own commitments and they are understanding about mine.

As many others have said, I don't consider myself to be always available.

As has also been mentioned, I do find that some friends with more regular working hours than mine have a tendency to idealize my lifestyle, thinking I can work or not work whenever I want. While I do appreciate the flexibility that I have, I try to explain to them that it's not quite that simple: when you have a deadline to meet, you can't take time off whenever you please, and when you don't have work, you can't pull jobs out of thin air. :)

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Couldn't have said it better

Maria Garcia — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Maria Garcia
Post title: Couldn't have said it better

[quote]JOHN WINDER wrote:

Having worked in the educational sector for a long time with its rigid timetables and fixed holidays, the freedom and flexibility of the freelance lifestyle is something I very much enjoy. Former colleagues sometimes have an idealised view of my current lifestyle, believing that I work just when I want to and I can be free to meet them in their holidays at the drop of a hat. I find that if I am as busy as I like to be I need to plan holidays and longer social activities a little way in advance. I am not sure whether everybody in salaried employment understands this. [/quote]

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | I am my own person!

Leanne Young — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:09:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Leanne Young
Post title: I am my own person!

I have decided that I will be available when it suits me. This is a freelance job - I am not employed by anybody and should not have to sit at the computer all day waiting for jobs to perhaps drift in. Most of the clients that expect this are not worth working for as they do not realise the value of what you can provide and work to keep your relationship alive.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | I don't have to "always be available"

Andrea Riffo — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:58:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Andrea Riffo
Post title: I don't have to "always be available"

So, "other".

Greetings

[Edited at 2009-10-06 15:00 GMT]

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | I, too, took it to mean - is there a fuss

Sheila Wilson — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:42:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Sheila Wilson
Post title: I, too, took it to mean - is there a fuss

[quote]Mary Worby wrote:
No, they don't make a fuss. I don't let them down. If I have commitments to my family, I keep them. Likewise my work commitments. [/quote]

The important thing is not to let friends and family down.

However, I had to answer "it depends". My husband is retired and would really like me to be available all the time, and sometimes makes a fuss when he decides at the last minute to do something or go somewhere, not realising that I have already committed myself to a job. Still, he's happy to spend the money ;-) so he has to be ready to compromise on my time.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Excuse me...

Parrot — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:41:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Parrot
Post title: Excuse me...

I need not always be available :p

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Those that answer "Yes" are very, very lucky

Rocio Barrientos — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:30:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Rocio Barrientos
Post title: Those that answer "Yes" are very, very lucky

Please share your experiences!

Thanks!

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | not always available, but

Gianluca Marras — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:20:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Gianluca Marras
Post title: not always available, but

I try not to work at weekends, sometimes I do when my children are still sleeping in the morning or in the afternoon.
But my girlfriend knows that, if I am enjoying a thursday off at the swimming pool, I have to answer the phone and check emails every hour, cause if a job arrives I have to answer.
At the begininning she could not accept this, then she bought a very smart telephone for me, which is like having my computer with me. But at the same time I try to guarantee Sunday OFF and no emails when I am travelling for my holidays.

Some friends make jokes about me. When I say I am given an urgent translation, they call me the surgeon!

[Edited at 2009-10-06 13:52 GMT]

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Other/NA

texjax DDS PhD — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:18:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: texjax DDS PhD
Post title: Other/NA

I run a medical translation business, not an ER!

Therefore, I must not (namely, I refuse to) be available all the time. Period. ;)

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Other

Sophie Dzhygir — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:14:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Sophie Dzhygir
Post title: Other

I must not be always available.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Not misunderstood... badly worded

Fiona Grace Peterson — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:55:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Fiona Grace Peterson
Post title: Not misunderstood... badly worded

I completely agree with Josee - some clients (and agencies) have funny ideas about availability, like the 10,000 word job that arrives on Thursday evening and is expected for Monday morning..

(Of course everyone has different working hours and circumstances, and some people don't mind working weekends. But still... ;) )

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Same here

Josée Desbiens — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:50:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Josée Desbiens
Post title: Same here

[quote]Iris Shalev wrote:

With two children, I can't and don't want to be 'always available'. [/quote]

And I have three! I would put it that way. Clients are the ones who think that we must always be available...We have to draw the line ;)))

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Almost frightening

Sunny Sky — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:42:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Sunny Sky
Post title: Almost frightening

To me the idea "must always be available" is almost scary...
Honestly, it is NOT necessary to be always available, not even as a beginner in the business. What counts much more is good and quality relationships with your customers.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Another other

Rebecca Garber — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:34:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Rebecca Garber
Post title: Another other

I spent several months one year working *every* weekend.
Never again.

I work the occassional weekend job for long term clients (which we schedule in advance),
but I am otherwise not available on weekends.

I keep my commitments to my family *and* to my clients.
It does mean that I take my computer on vacation, but I also limit what I will undertake until I am back home.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Yes

neilmac — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:22:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: neilmac
Post title: Yes

I AM always available, so please send any work you can't be bothered taking on to me :-)
Seriously, my friends and family all understand my position as a freelance and that my work pays for my rent, transport, food etc etc, so know that it must take priority over most "social" activities.
I also co-run a pub quiz in English once a week [Tuesday evenings, Sally O Brien's pub in Avenida Aragon, Valencia Spain, all welcome]and that too is extremely important to me. It's about commitment.
As for my clients being available or not, I don't pay them, so why should they be?

[Edited at 2009-10-06 12:23 GMT]

[Edited at 2009-10-06 12:24 GMT]

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | No misunderstanding

Mary Worby — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:09:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Mary Worby
Post title: No misunderstanding

[quote]Gianni Pastore wrote:

The question is "do your friend of family make a fuss when you let them down because of a sudden job?"

My answer: yes, my friends do not always understand that I have to spend the night working rather than going out with them.

G [/quote]

No, they don't make a fuss. I don't let them down. If I have commitments to my family, I keep them. Likewise my work commitments.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Same here

casey — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:45:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: casey
Post title: Same here

[quote]JOHN WINDER wrote:

Having worked in the educational sector for a long time with its rigid timetables and fixed holidays, the freedom and flexibility of the freelance lifestyle is something I very much enjoy. Former colleagues sometimes have an idealised view of my current lifestyle, believing that I work just when I want to and I can be free to meet them in their holidays at the drop of a hat. I find that if I am as busy as I like to be I need to plan holidays and longer social activities a little way in advance. I am not sure whether everybody in salaried employment understands this. [/quote]

Exactly. Friends and even some family members think that I can work around their holidays at the drop of a hat. They don't understand that there are deadlines to be met or that I can't simply turn the answering machine on without notifying my clients in advance that I will be unavailable.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Poll misunderstood, I believe

Gianni Pastore — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:28:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Gianni Pastore
Post title: Poll misunderstood, I believe

The question is "do your friend of family make a fuss when you let them down because of a sudden job?"

My answer: yes, my friends do not always understand that I have to spend the night working rather than going out with them.

G

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Can't

Iris Shalev — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:14:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Iris Shalev
Post title: Can't

With two children, I can't and don't want to be 'always available'.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | AWARENESS OF THE FREELANCE LIFESTYLE

JOHN WINDER — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:11:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: JOHN WINDER
Post title: AWARENESS OF THE FREELANCE LIFESTYLE

Having worked in the educational sector for a long time with its rigid timetables and fixed holidays, the freedom and flexibility of the freelance lifestyle is something I very much enjoy. Former colleagues sometimes have an idealised view of my current lifestyle, believing that I work just when I want to and I can be free to meet them in their holidays at the drop of a hat. I find that if I am as busy as I like to be I need to plan holidays and longer social activities a little way in advance. I am not sure whether everybody in salaried employment understands this.

Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available? | Other

Cecilia Civetta — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:46:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Do your friends and family understand that you must always be available?
Poster: Cecilia Civetta
Post title: Other

I needn't always be available.
Cheers :)
Cecilia