Do you prefer a job where you sit all day or one where you stand all the time?

waitress - I prefer waitressing
United States
August 17, 2007 8:40am CST
I've had a lot of different types of jobs in my life and definitely prefer the kind that keeps me on my feet and going all day. I've spent more time than I like to think of behind a desk and think there are so many more drawbacks to that than one where your moving around the majority of the time. For one thing I can't stand sitting in one place for a long time even though I'm busy with the work in front of me. My first thought is that I will get a fat butt! Sitting is just not my thing! I was a hairdresser for years and although I loved the work I felt like I was standing in one place for long periods at a time and that got old. I loved waitressing because I was always on the go (not to mention the great tips...lol). Which type of job do you prefer? Sitting at a desk and only using your mind or one where you are constantly on the go?
4 people like this
25 responses
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
17 Aug 07
When I was younger I definitely preferred the kind of job that kept me moving, ctry, but due to injuries that have left me with a bad back, I would definitely have to say I would rather have a desk job right now. My back virtually "screams" if I have to stand for very long periods. Yeah, my butt has gotten fatter, but I think there could be worse things, lol.
2 people like this
@ssh123 (31073)
• India
17 Aug 07
I do not like extremes. I like to work in a office where I can keep going to all departments and meet all people. Thanks and have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@jlenti (10)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I've worked both types of jobs and I would have to agree. I currently work in an office where I also have to go out into the shop for roughly 20% of the day. It's nice to mix it up, get to stand up after sitting in front of a computer all day.
2 people like this
@ssh123 (31073)
• India
18 Aug 07
Thanks for agreeing. Have a nice day.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
18 Aug 07
hi sweetie, my job is a sit-on one where i need to sit and work on computers. i have a specific place and need to work within that limit. i hardly have the opportunity to move around and excercise my spine and leg muscles. even though i like my job, sometimes it feels miserable and those times i desperately want to go out for a walk. a minutes or 2 mins walk or even bit of stretchings help a lot. i feel, it's better and always advisable to have a job where we are on the go constantly. this, ofcourse keeping the health factor in mind. i wish i could but without help. I am glad to here that your profession keeps you on the move. good for you. good luck.
1 person likes this
@Nardz13 (5055)
• New Zealand
19 Aug 07
Hi there. I would like a job where I can have the choice of both options, of standing and getting up and walking around the place... I dont like to be stuck in sitting or in one place, for too long...
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 Aug 07
i tried different kinds of work which involves both sitting and standing..when i was on a call center i am on the desk sitting for 12 hours..but then i felt like my butt was on fire..lolzz..then when i was on Jollibee a fast food chain..i always stand up for 10 hours or more..no sitting and my feet aches so bad when i gets home..i also got an arthritis because of this..i also work for a dental clinic where i assist for making the tooth and most of the time i stand up for all day..guess i wanna just prefer the sitting job..where in i have a choice to stand up sometimes when i get my butt tired of sitting..while when on a standing job i don't even have a chance to sit when i want to.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Aug 07
Standing all day messes with my varicose veins. Sitting all day messes with my back. I would like a job where I stand some and sit some. That's why I would like to retire to being a gatherer of plants, and/or wild vegetation. Walk/stand for the time to gather. Research uses/recipes on the internet (sitting). Process the plants (could be sitting or standing depending on the process). Eventually teach other people. I liked being a Correction Officer (except for some of my coworkers and some of the inmates). I sat, stood, and walked. But most of the time it's not very intellectually stimulating. But some days, it was a little too stimulating.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I agree with #1 above. Standing, sitting, and intellectual stimulation when teaching. It's the best.
1 person likes this
@akumei1269 (1749)
• India
17 Aug 07
Whether i like or not i have to do the job i am doing . There is no scope for changing it in this age and there is no taker of my service than the present Govt. office . My nature of job is sitting all day long whe in office and walking all day long while in the field ( for official work) . B\However while at office I seldom sit continuously for more than one hour at a stretch .
1 person likes this
@suzieque (2334)
• Canada
18 Aug 07
I would sit all day than stand all day. Standing all day is tiring and your foot would hurt. Sure you might get a fat butt sitting, but at least you're comfortable!
1 person likes this
@DavidReedy (2378)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I wouldn't mind one where I stood all day, if I didn't have to move around a lot. My health flakes out when I have to move a lot.
1 person likes this
18 Aug 07
I would prefer to sit. My feet aren't in the best shape and they wouldn't last very long if I were to stand on them all day long. I had a desk job but I wasn't tied to it all day long. I did have to run up and down the stairs quite a bit.
1 person likes this
@youless (112096)
• Guangzhou, China
18 Aug 07
I am working in a trading company and most of the time I just sit at my chair and work. I think it is suitable for me. I can't stand all the time.
1 person likes this
• India
18 Aug 07
I would prefer a job which is interesting and allows me to use my creativity and abilities. It does not matter whether I sit whole day or stand. For me job satisfaction is much important.
1 person likes this
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
18 Aug 07
I like the kind that keep me on my feet. I am the type of person that has to be moving, I am allways on the go at work and at home. I would probably fall asleep if i had to sit at a desk all day!!! LOL
1 person likes this
• Indonesia
18 Aug 07
my hobbies and maybe my work is programming computer software, so there's a lot time spend on computer, and offcourse i get bored sometimes, but the point is how i enjoy my works and hobbies.
1 person likes this
@lesnan (537)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I prefer jobs that allow me to move around. Sedentary jobs are boring.
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
17 Aug 07
I don't know. When I've had jobs where I'm always on the go, I've wished I had more of a desk job. And when I've held desk jobs, I've wished I could move around more. I'm just always wanting what I don't have.
1 person likes this
@sunshinecup (7871)
17 Aug 07
I think no matter which if there isn't a good ballance between the two, both are hard on the body. I have had both types and I have to say, too much of either one tears me up. It kills my back, my legs and my neck. So the ideal job for me would one were I could set and stand as needed. To bad I haven't found that job yet :o(
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I have worked mostly sitting at a desk but also spent majority of that time on my feet. I was forever moving around, attending to staff issues, problems with lots of things so even though it was a sitting down job, I found myself up and about most of the time. It all depends on where I am in my life and whether I can be bothered working on my feet for long hours at a time. I know I can do it as I have worked in bars at night before.
1 person likes this
@anonymili (3138)
17 Aug 07
I would have to say that having worked in office environments for over 20 years, it's the only kind of environment I know. I would HATE to be on my feet all day. I would much rather work in front of a PC with colleagues around me that have to deal with members of the general public all day every day, that would bore me rigid and would do my head in. I earn way above the average salary in this country and knowing what the industry standard wages are for retail or catering jobs where you mostly have to stand on your feet all day - would not be enough for my way of life - i.e. my mortgage, bills, holidays, etc :) At the end of the day, it's what we're used to and experienced in. You enjoy being on the go, and I enjoy sitting at a desk. I have to admit that my bum goes numb sometimes, but I get up whenever I need to and go chat to a colleague or get a glass or water :)
1 person likes this
@mistissa (1349)
• Netherlands
17 Aug 07
I think I prefer a job where you can do both. To sit too long will hurt your back and so does standing too long.
1 person likes this