By: Miran Černec
It was long ago, in a time when Slovenians were considered a hardworking people. Perhaps it was mostly how we saw ourselves, perhaps that is how the citizens of the former brotherly republics saw us too. But as far as I remember, work among Slovenians back then was genuinely regarded as a respected and worthwhile way to spend the working day. Fortunately, things are different today…
And if our ancestors once broke their backs and strained their brains over all kinds of physical and mental labour, today we can proudly say that modern Slovenians mostly compete in the art of not working. Our country is indebted just enough to afford it: from the 150,000-strong army of civil servants with inexhaustible amounts of annual leave, to influencers showing young people the path to wealth without effort; from the brave souls who once tried working but then honourably retreated into permanent sick leave, to the poor souls with grandma’s Mercedes who need social support for a crust of bread – in our happy little land, there is milk and honey for everyone.
Anyone working in the private sector will count a job that allows for quality eight-hour leisure time as a lottery win, of course, without taking on any extra risk or responsibility. And if some oddball still believes in creating added value instead of hanging on the shoulders of others, well, that is their own fault, let them step out of their discomfort zone, plug into the right social network, and there a resident sponsor babe will explain that in the 21st century, only the Chinese still work, and that normal people nowadays do not produce, they just shop online…
And the best part? Slovenians still maintain the belief in their own industriousness. Our conscience is clear, we have everything we need, nothing is missing… As long as it lasts, let it last.
