“Most of them in the 40s are already stable and don’t want to quit. Even though the pay may not be so good, they’re willing to work all the way[1]. It’s an easy-going life.”

[1] I interpret “all the way” as all the way to retirement age or beyond, no change of direction, not giving in to boredom or stagnation, sticking to the chosen career despite occasional challenges (FOLB, pains, disappointments, setbacks).

I feel in this one-line description the stereotypical wage earner is not ambitious, often non-aggressive (even passive), often not so expensive. As such, this guy is often retained for his loyalty, value-for-money. This is by no means a general rule, not even the dominant pattern. Just look at Jack Zhang.

The observer was comparing SG (white or blue collar) employees across 3 or 4 age bands, and this is his/her brief observation of the cohort of 40-something. This observation is becoming increasingly descriptive of me… Semi-retired on the back of my passive income streams. Actually, my style of easy life is a common aspiration, even among my friends in a various age band:

• Kun.Hu .. gave up on trader or desk quant domains. He gave many incisive explanations
• XH.Fu .. really treasures his free time
• H.Yi .. didn’t feel the need to earn higher and higher
• Kam of RTS .. went to Swift