Because no farmer ever will tell you he had a good year. He should have sold a month earlier than he did, or held on a week longer. Just the way it is, I guess.
In my business I see their books. Good years and bad years. Some things are more volatile - dairy can swing between losses and significant profits. Layers are pretty steady if you are on a contract, as long as you don't get the avian flu. Produce farmers rarely have a loss year, but their high income years are generally not as high as crop farmers, who sometimes do show a significant annual loss. More risk = more reward.
The last few years have been pretty good overall, for my clients.
I have faked it and do when needed. It insults my inner economist, but he puts up with it. As far as work friends, I have had them, and some I really enjoyed. I think we would have given breaks or spent part of our week for each other. That said, I have a very hard time separating value from productivity. The socializing crowd, on the other hand, seems to see value as coming from being a member of the organization.
And neither do I, at least with all of them. I have had some work friends who were close. Have I stayed in touch with any of them? Out of five jobs in ten years, there are two I still consider true friends, the kind you call when you are in a jam.
While I'm griping about such things, let's talk about bosses day and company outings and gifts for fellow employees for $reasons. If I work for you, I do it because you offered me a paycheck. I feel no responsibility to buy you a gift. I don't want gifts from you. We have a contract or similar agreement - I work, you pay. Gifts either direction, company trips, whatever feel like a sham and muddy that agreement of I work, you pay. To other employees when I was one - do your work, avoid drama, and I'll like you. Keep the gifts out of it and don't try getting into my wallet because Sally has worked here for ten years. If I work closely enough with Sally to know she is good at her job, I'll let her know. If I don't work that closely with her, what more do I need than politeness? /soapbox
In my business I see their books. Good years and bad years. Some things are more volatile - dairy can swing between losses and significant profits. Layers are pretty steady if you are on a contract, as long as you don't get the avian flu. Produce farmers rarely have a loss year, but their high income years are generally not as high as crop farmers, who sometimes do show a significant annual loss. More risk = more reward.
The last few years have been pretty good overall, for my clients.