We Don't Count...

       If this post should get you a little down, check out the title link for a boost to your spirits-this kid shows you how best to respond to an employer rejection letter. 

   
        “We don’t count…” my friend said when she learned that no one had unlocked the door to our new meeting place. Arrangements had been made; we even had been invited to meet there.  However, no one had informed the person with the keys when to open up the venue for us.
             I can understand how my friend felt. All too often those engaged in a job search tend to believe this. If you aren’t employed you may have to rein in your spending. This may mean not  attending many social or public events you once frequented. Even at those events or meetings you do attend, people seem to shy away from you when they hear you are out of work.  Sometimes it seems the unemployed only count when we are talking about indicators of our local or national economic health.
           I never have figured out just why that is. Do they think unemployment is contagious? (For the past three years it almost has seemed that way.) Perhaps they don’t know how to respond, and what to say to an unemployed friend. Could they be afraid the unemployed will ask them personally for a job, or a helping hand?
          Whatever, before long the invitations start to drop off. You know, fewer “…let’s go to lunch (dinner, coffee, the movies, etc…)”. Fewer invites for the kids to their friends’ birthday parties-ouch, now even the kids don't count. Maybe no mention gets made of events or gatherings that you once were a part of.
           These all are well intentioned reasons, I am sure. A host or hostess probably thinks they are helping by not asking you to spend money at a tough time. Perhaps that parent rationalizes even birthday presents can be expensive. But these acts only heighten and intensify the reminders that things are not what they once were.
           It doesn’t take long for the unemployed, and their families, to begin to feel and believe “…we don’t count.” With the amount of rejection and negativity they encounter just in the job search, this kind of “help” is not what they need.  Those friends and neighbors who were so evident when times were good are still out there, and their support and fellowship are more important than ever. The
unemployed need to feel wanted, valued; in short that they count.
           It might be as simple as an invite to Sunday lunch, with an offer to pick up the check. It doesn’t have to be the same friend(s) every week. In fact it would be great if those in the job seeker’s network of friends and acquaintances would coordinate and plan some of these kinds of activities.
            Oh, yeah, and if someone would be sure to remind someone to unlock the door so that the Job Seekers’ group can get to their meeting place on time.
           

           So, what do you think?  Do the unemployed count for more than economic indicator?