Is there a class gap and should it be narrowed?

[Pickle2]

Caption competition / thought bubbles not really required....

http://www.london-oratory.org/tlos/h...p?cat=5&sub=24

I'm sure the lad in the middle is disguising wood.

[The Lone Gunman]

Sorry but no: it takes hard work plus luck. Sometimes just plain luck will do; just plain hard work does not necessarily get you far.

The lottery win I spoke of is happening to have whatever mental characteristics it takes to sign up for a relatively easy and well-paid line of work like ours. Many people work harder and don't do so well, not having the good fortune to have, and have found, a skill that pays so well.

Was it Gary Player who said "the harder I work the luckier I get"?
You carry on believing it is about luck. I will continue to work hard. The only "luck" I see is that there is work for me to do. If that dries up I will work hard at something else. Unless I strike it really lucky and find I am a world class sportsman (though at 45 I doubt it) or I am the worlds best guitarist or something, but I suspect you have to work hard at those things too.

[expat]

Was it Gary Player who said "the harder I work the luckier I get"?
You carry on believing it is about luck. I will continue to work hard. The only "luck" I see is that there is work for me to do. If that dries up I will work hard at something else. Unless I strike it really lucky and find I am a world class sportsman (though at 45 I doubt it) or I am the worlds best guitarist or something, but I suspect you have to work hard at those things too.

No, it is not just about luck. I work hard too, and I'm not denying that you do. I'm just saying that a lot of people work harder and don't earn so much. A person is lucky if they find themselves in a position where, if they work hard, they will get well paid. Most people are not in that position.

[blacjac]

I would disagree (and agree with TLG).

If a person finds themselves working hard but not getting the rewards for it, it's not down to luck, it's down to bad choices.

Someone who works really hard for minimum wage has chosen to work for minimum wage rather than choosing to try improve their skills (training, education) or trying to find a better paid job.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

I would disagree (and agree with TLG).

If a person finds themselves working hard but not getting the rewards for it, it's not down to luck, it's down to bad choices.

Someone who works really hard for minimum wage has chosen to work for minimum wage rather than choosing to try improve their skills (training, education) or trying to find a better paid job.

This is interesting - I have started a new thread on luck vs hard work

[shoes]

These people will not stop until we are all poor. That's fair in their eyes, and they truly believe it.

They must all be killed.

[breezeblocker]

All depends on what you aspire to. It's hard to break away from the loadsa money angle. If you can avoid working all hours for the foreign holiday the latest TV or a big car, your life can be sweeter. More money or less money, it's a choice we make. Whichever you choose is up to you. For me, I cut my cloth according to my means. Less work, less stress and more time with my family. Getting home way before kids bedtime is sooooo much better for me than looking at them snoring when I get home.

[realityhack]

I think luck has a small part to play - being in the right place at the right time...

I'd say we've worked harder (initially) and smarter (always) to work less and earn more.

[BrilloPad]

I would disagree (and agree with TLG).

If a person finds themselves working hard but not getting the rewards for it, it's not down to luck, it's down to bad choices.

Someone who works really hard for minimum wage has chosen to work for minimum wage rather than choosing to try improve their skills (training, education) or trying to find a better paid job.

Indeed. Imagine being a teacher. Or a nurse.

[Alf W]

At my public school it was drummed into us that all people should be treated as equal.