What does ‘the gig economy’ mean to you?
By Fleur
@Fleura (31377)
United Kingdom
March 19, 2025 10:06am CST
Chatting to one of the people I was working with yesterday, I asked what job he did (you might think it was obvious, but many people who work these events just do it occasionally, like me, and do other things the rest of the time).
He replied that he was a waiter. So then we were talking about how being a waiter is a respected profession in France, while in the UK it tends to be the sort of job that is done by students, or by school-leavers while they look for something better.
I asked him if he described himself as a waiter when he met someone new (we had been discussing on-line dating) and he said that he told people he worked in the gig economy.
‘What do they say to that?’ I asked, and he replied that about half said ‘Oh, so you’re unemployed’ and the other half thought he was some sort of music promoter 
What does ‘the gig economy’ mean to you?
I don't have any appropriate pictures so here's a busy bee!
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2025.
What does ‘the gig economy’ mean to you?
I don't have any appropriate pictures so here's a busy bee!
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2025.11 people like this
10 responses
@shaggin (74036)
• United States
19 Mar
Gig would have told me he does things with music. I think him just being upfront and saying he is a waiter is better. Women may feel he is misleading them and wonder what else be will do that about. A job is a job he is working and shouldn’t have to feel ashamed for doing what he is doing. If it wasn’t for those waiters we wouldn’t be able to enjoy going out to eat.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (144244)
• United States
19 Mar
That's true enough... And I agree that women may think he's hiding something with how he's describing his job. Or, maybe they're in the same type of situation so will understand.
I was wondering how you were doing? Better, I hope. 
3 people like this
@shaggin (74036)
• United States
19 Mar
@DaddyEvil yes feeling a little better. The sunshine is nice to get out in it’s been warm. I keep busy that helps me keep my mind off things. My sons been in a good mood the last two days 
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (144244)
• United States
19 Mar
@shaggin Nice! I'm glad things are going better for you and your son.
We're getting nasty weather again here. Yesterday was so nice except for the strong winds we're getting and then today we're supposed to start getting storms by this afternoon and snow this evening and overnight. I'd sure pass on that if Mother Nature asked my opinion.
We're getting nasty weather again here. Yesterday was so nice except for the strong winds we're getting and then today we're supposed to start getting storms by this afternoon and snow this evening and overnight. I'd sure pass on that if Mother Nature asked my opinion.3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (52209)
• United States
19 Mar
I think of a gig is some kind of event that you are working.
3 people like this
@allknowing (142805)
• India
20 Mar
It may mean different under different circumstances. I will draw a blank really
1 person likes this
@Fleura (31377)
• United Kingdom
20 Mar
The gig economy covers all those jobs that aren't really what you might consider a 'proper job' - just picking up work here and there. Delivery drivers, building site labourers, Uber drivers, kitchen porters, waiting staff... there's a lot more of that type of work these days.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (7167)
• United Kingdom
20 Mar
Up until a few years ago, gig to me was only to do with music. Now it seems to refer to pop-up businesses that don’t last long. Or at least, that’s how I see it.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (7167)
• United Kingdom
21 Mar
@Fleura I might have to take up one of those to help fund my retirement.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (31377)
• United Kingdom
20 Mar
That's pretty much it - all those jobs that aren't really what you might consider a 'proper job' - just picking up work here and there. Delivery drivers, building site labourers, Uber drivers, kitchen porters, waiting staff... there's a lot more of that type of work these days.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (144244)
• United States
19 Mar
That's how a lot of younger people describe their "job" now. They freelance or take on odd jobs because nobody is hiring them in the jobs they want or they really don't want a full-time job and pick up odd jobs to pay their bills.
So many things have changed in the last ten or fifteen years. Supposedly there's a shortage of workers here but everybody claims they can't find a job. (I think they don't want the jobs that are available because of the low pay. I can't blame them for that. They can't raise a family on the money being offered now and a lot of them are living like college kids because they can't afford the rent by themselves.)
When Pretty and I had to find a new place over 7 years ago, everything we looked at was priced out of my range and I had a full-time job making decent money for our area.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (144244)
• United States
20 Mar
@Fleura I agree, big businesses are finding ways to circumvent the laws.
When I was working at Walmart, they kept doing things that were illegal but they got away with it until enough employees sued them and they lost the lawsuit and had to pay us for the time they stole from us. (Their biggest thing was to go in when we were on breaks or lunch and have us work and we weren't allowed to take the rest of our breaks or lunch. They always had me start working before my work shift and clock in on time. I didn't get paid for that extra 15 or 20 minutes before my shift started.)
1 person likes this
@Fleura (31377)
• United Kingdom
20 Mar
You're right, there's a lot more of that type of work these days. I guess 'employers' don't want to take on permanent staff when they don't know what the demand will be, so they just use occasional workers so then they don't have to pay sick pay, holiday pay and all those other legal requirements. If you're healthy and have no dependents it's OK!
1 person likes this
@Fleura (31377)
• United Kingdom
20 Mar
@DaddyEvil True, of course once, almost all employment used to be like that (farm labourers and the like) but then systems changed and laws were brought in to protect workers. Now big businesses are finding ways to get around those laws.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (113576)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Mar
Over here I would think some kind of entertainment
1 person likes this
@Fleura (31377)
• United Kingdom
20 Mar
The gig economy covers all those jobs that aren't really what you might consider a 'proper job' - just picking up work here and there. Delivery drivers, building site labourers, Uber drivers, kitchen porters, waiting staff... there's a lot more of that type of work these days.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16905)
• Raurkela, India
20 Mar
I have not heard of this phrase. I am a senior citizen, getting a family pension and post at mylot and discussionbucks that manages my life.
1 person likes this
