Roommates Quote by Doree Shafrir
““She also felt like there was something slightly more insidious going on, about how you were now supposed to feel like your work was your everything: where you got your paycheck, yes, but also where you got fed and where you found your social circle. Everything had started bleeding into everything else. These kids—she felt no compunction about calling them kids—expected that their workplaces would provide all this for them, as if work were an extension of college, with its own clubs and student organizations. Even more disconcerting was that many TakeOff employees lived together or had roommates who were in some way connected to other TakeOff employees, and now there were even apartment buildings that were actual dorms for grown-ups, where you lived in a suite with a few other people and had common areas and nightly activities. It was almost like a return to the days of Henry Ford, when a company provided you with housing and meals and social events. What had happened to having to figure out life on your own?””
About This Quote
Source Article: “The TakeOff Effect”, 2018
The piece describes how modern workplaces blur personal and professional boundaries, creating dependency on employers for social life.
In simple terms: Work is becoming a whole life ecosystem.
Key Takeaway
Set boundaries between work and personal life.
Themes
work-life balance
corporate culture
social dependency
community
identity
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- career planning
- personal budgeting
- mental health
- social networking
Key Concepts
boundary theory
corporate paternalism
social capital
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of your life are work‑driven?
- How can you cultivate personal community outside work?
A Different Perspective
Relying on employers for community can limit independence.
