Is it normal someone called me lazy for wanting to be a teacher?

Someone I know (not a friend but someone like a friend) was recently having a discussion with me. They are working as an assistant manager at a corporation and earn something like 95k a year. I went to university and finished with a bachelor's in art-graphic design but lost my passion for it.

Because of this, I told him I was planning on pursuing teaching because I love children. Then I asked him out of curiosity what summer's are like for a teacher since his sister is one. I asked him if she gets that time off or she has teacher obligations. He immediately told me how his sister gets most of the summer off but she also has a few meetings she needs to attend/set up her classroom. Then he went off on me and said, "Is that why you want to be a teacher, because you're lazy and don't want to work summers?" At this point I got furious with him. I asked why he would say this and he told me I should get a "real job" and not search for jobs with time off.

How is teaching lazy and not a real job? I don't even understand why he called me lazy.

He then went on and on about how I shouldn't be a teacher and that I should actually work. I said excuse me, I work 45 hours a week at my two retail jobs for minimum wage and before these jobs, at age 12-15, I was working for my mother and getting NO pay. I never had a summer off since I was 11 and the only vacation I ever had was when I visited my relatives for a weekend 5 years ago. I never took a break, I did full time work/full time college, graduated, did more hours at work, etc. Yeah I took a day off here and there but I didn't go anywhere.

I just want a fulfilling job. I want to be able to feel like I'm educating/making a difference but also get me time as I don't know what that is yet. I don't think life is about work.

is it normal for him to call me lazy? What did I say wrong?

Voting Results
25% Normal
Based on 24 votes (6 yes)
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Comments ( 6 )
  • KeepsakeDoll

    He's an idiot.

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  • RoseIsabella

    Don't worry about him; he's a screaming asshole.

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  • Avant-Garde

    Success is the greatest revenge. Ignore him and follow your dream. Make him see the error of his ways.

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  • Sodium4

    He's a fucking retard. GOOD teachers that care about their profession work hard all year, and during the summer go to meetings and seminars to improve their teaching skills, shop for supplies, and plan/revise their lessons for the coming year.

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    • donotmockme

      My thoughts exactly.

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  • dinz

    Teachers do a shit load of work outside the school day. A lot of them still work during the school breaks catching up on work and prepping for the next term.

    I think your friend should speak to a teacher and ask them what is a typical week for them, I was like your friend until I had a good discussion with numerous teachers and realised all the work they do behind the scenes.

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