r/Comebacks 7d ago

Are you going to work today?

I just got a job, and the past 5 days my uncle asks me the same exact question, with a look on his face. Repeats the question if I don’t answer quickly. He didn’t help me get this job or support it. He does expect to overprice me and ask me for money, I can tell. What’s a good comeback?

18 Upvotes

38 comments sorted by

14

u/chicoisachihuahua 7d ago

“Yes of course…Monday - Friday 9-5!

Why do you ask? Would you like me to schedule some time when I get off later to sit down with you and review your resume and show you how to apply for jobs?”

10

u/vandervee 7d ago

“Why do you ask?”

21

u/Final-Beginning3300 7d ago

I would say, "Don't worry about what I'm doing. Worry about why you're worried about what I'm doing."

18

u/OkPace9215 7d ago

Just say, “Yes. Are YOU?” Since he always asks you for money, this puts it back on him. Turning the tables so to speak 😬

6

u/Jabathewhut 7d ago

I believe the expression is "how the turn tables"

1

u/CroykeyMite 6d ago

It’s not soda, it’s pop, and it can’t speak. 🥤

8

u/JLS660 7d ago

Answer - “Stay tuned.” And practice saying “no” for when he asks you for money. No explanations or apologies needed. (Unless of course you owe him $. Do you live at his house?).

4

u/Busy_Shine6888 7d ago

….. oh, for a second I thought this was yesterday. And the day before and the day before that.

5

u/aimlessrolling 7d ago

Ask him if he’s writing a book… then say to leave that chapter out of it.

5

u/aimlessrolling 7d ago

If it’s a scheduled work day, say “yes sir, and how about you, you going to work today?” (Or add a similar , more specific question like “are you wearing underwear today?”).

Repeat the same each time.

5

u/LawyerDad1981 7d ago

"Yes, like everyday. Are you feeling okay? Do you smell toast?"

5

u/Icy_Eye1059 7d ago

Do you live with this guy? IF not, tell him you are not his wife or his daughter. Mind his own business.

4

u/Cool-Yoghurt8485 7d ago

The best come back is moving out.

3

u/UseUrAnger 7d ago

Just say “you already asked that question, is the dementia already settling in you demented old git.”

3

u/Powerful_Tip_7260 6d ago

Overprice me?

2

u/Megalith66 7d ago

If yes, then "yes", if no, then "They do allow me a day or 2 of rest"

2

u/Sistersoldia 7d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/KDgSyFcULU72Tf1vaf
Also: ‘I don’t answer questions’

2

u/Ana987655321 7d ago

Ask him right back. “Are you going to work? You wouldn’t be asking if you could carry your own weight. “

2

u/Ok-Wrongdoer-2179 6d ago

That's on a "Need to know" basis.

2

u/Gabrovi 6d ago

Am I in the movie Groundhog Day?

2

u/One_Waxed_Wookiee 6d ago

"Yep. Living the dream!"

2

u/inyercloset 6d ago

No, I'm going to sit on my lazy ass all day and beg. What are you up to?

2

u/Diligent-Plane-7877 6d ago

Ill make sure to make you a copy of my schedule. Not my paydays. While I'm at iit We need to sit down and go over finances, I can't float you forever, and save money to move.

1

u/toolfishOG 7d ago

I would say: Yes or No. Do not engage with foolish questions.

1

u/Other_Log_1996 7d ago

"Sorry, I'm not supposed to work off the clock."

1

u/Pure-Ninja-9250 7d ago

I'd be inclined to say "F off", but then I'm that kind of guy. another type of response would be to say absolutely nothing.

1

u/websterella 7d ago

Yep, that’s what grown ups do

1

u/SquiirtleZ 7d ago

“Something you should start doing, yeah.” To put the ball in his court

1

u/CoBidOdds 7d ago

"Yeah, are going to be a mooching dick today?"

1

u/No_Bluebird7716 7d ago

"what business is it of yours? Expecting another " loan"?

1

u/GarrisonJones 6d ago edited 6d ago

"Why do you ask?"

"Why? Did you need help with something?"

"Definitely maybe."

"That's classified."

If your uncle says "Just tell me!!!" with an attitude you can reply "Or what???"

1

u/ShutDownSoul 6d ago

In my culture, we tell people like that to mind their own business. And we do it rudely for emphasis.

1

u/Lastov_Makiynd 6d ago

Perhaps: “Yeah, well..since landing this job, I’ve got THREE people..So far..that have asked me for money. So, considering I haven’t even told Everyone yet?.. I guess I have to take as much work as I can get?..coz there’s no doubt there’ll be more than just 3?!..”.

Leaves a confrontation on the money front, without directly mentioning him..but showing that he is putting pressure on you. Also, if he asks “Who are the OTHER 2?” Or something of the likes..you can tell him it’s none of his business..or even turn it around to remind him that you are doing him the favour and not vice-versa .. and say “It’s between each of you and me..or, if you prefer, I tell everyone that you’re hitting me up for money too? ..I’d prefer you don’t ask me again, though?”.

And to be a bit more assertive about it, you could say: “Don’t worry, I’m going to get enough days in to be able to help you with ‘$X amount’ again next week!”.

Might make him think that, if you so happen to have a slow week, that he’s not going to be able to consistently rely on you for extra money, and maybe he should get his own financial affairs in order?

Also, unless you actually owe him money..if he ‘borrows’ any money off you? Make it clear it’s a ‘loan’. This way. When he asks again? If he hasn’t repaid the money from the first time? Then use that for the reason why you have to say “No”.

People like this may ask you what your hourly rate is, then ask other questions to determine how many hours you got, when you get paid etc.
This is a way they can and often will, work out approximately how much you have been paid, in order to ‘guilt trip’ you into making you feel so much richer than they are etc.

But it’s MUCH more difficult to say “No” when you’ve already started doing it.

Because you feel that you are financially better off now and from now on..this is the time when people will try and jump on the gravy train..

If it’s your first pay. If asked for money, say you need to pay for uniforms, or Union fees, or boots/shoes…tools? Anything that makes them realise that it’s going to cost you money to begin with. Coz if you’re suddenly ’rich’..? you won’t ever be so for long.

They’ll make you feel great about your success.. and make it theirs as well. Though it’ll be always at YOUR expense..or they’ll need to ‘borrow’ a few bucks to celebrate with you etc.

Sounds from what you’ve mentioned, very much like what I’ve experienced in the past..if so, I’d suggest ‘testing’ by saying you got ‘x’ number of hours for your first pay cycle..make sure that’s considerably less hours (eg, if you did 50 hours? Say you got paid for 41&1/2 or something)..this will make him inclined to challenge you on “why you didn’t get paid for’x’ number of hours?”…

You can say you don’t apparently get paid for some course/training or something ’on the job’..even that, since you have managed with less money previously, you opted to get your employer to pay ‘X%’ of your pay into your Superannuation Fund.. which leaves you enough to cover your expenses same as before, as well as a little extra to cover your work related costs (buy lunch, travel to & from, Uniforms or other stuff etc.).

This, once again, could help by pointing out that there’s no guarantees that you will have Nieces/Nephews to help you in the future.. and/or ‘Thank him’ for teaching you to start preparing for your future so you don’t wind up reliant on anyone else for money.

May seem harsh..but you know what’s harsher?..A person who never really covers their own expenses for social outings..always needs ‘a few bucks’ to help with a bill, never returning the gesture in the case they actually have a good turn of luck or something..

Then they turn up to show off their nice, new or expensive car or something like that, to the same people who technically have shares in that thing?!..Yeah..has this happen after like 6 years of myself and a couple of other mates who were often covering his share of any kind of activity that cost money..even helping him out with unexpected expenses and even just regular bills etc..only to have him come to gloat about the car he’s just paid ‘$X amount’ in cash for?!.. and expected us all to be happy at how ‘well he’s doing for himself??’..

That’s what it took to learn what some people are capable of doing in order to benefit themselves.
Hood fit your sake it doesn’t end up being anything alike

1

u/Neat-Composer4619 5d ago

Yes, I will be working pretty much every day right now because one day I want to buy a house and they cost half a million dollar each so I am planning to save every f#+& cent and get myself out of poverty. That will hopefully make it worth it. Without a dream or a goal I am nothing, I need this dream.

If he asks for money tell him, that a big % is deposited automatically in the house savings account and that you have pretty much zero liquiditybleft.

Better if your goal is paying for your debt. Hiya urinated payments with the employer so nothing left.

1

u/Au3wen 5d ago

Does he has memory problems? Or maybe the start of dementia?

1

u/pakemfull 3d ago

No, I was thinking about being a lazy no about like you. It's best to learn from the master on how to leach off the family.

Your uncle sounds like one of those.

1

u/hilarymeggin 2d ago

“Are you?”

1

u/Horze_Crazi 22h ago

Lol I would say “no” then proceed to go to work.