MovieChat Forums > Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) Discussion > Why were they worried about their "jobs?...

Why were they worried about their "jobs?"

posted 8 months ago by whatwazdat (414)
10 replies | jump to latest

So after Alec Baldwin did his famous scene. There was more whining, more bitching... and Alan Arkin's character said something to the effect.. "I can't close these leads, they're gonna bounce me out of a job." Let's say they don't bounce you out of a job, let's say they let you keep your job, and you go on NOT closing. What's the difference? LOL! They are commission only, right? If you go on not closing, you have a job title and no money.

I've always assumed they were commission only. If that's the case, all the threatening from Baldwin, all the belittling, didn't make sense to me. With no base salary, who stays in this work environment? Anybody wanna chime in about sales jobs in the 90's?

[–] mechajutaro (2788) 8 months ago

They were passive little bitched, trapped in the bodies of men. That's the movie's theme

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 8 months ago

This is a stupid post by someone who doesn’t know anything about W2 and 1099’s

If you lived your whole life as a commissioned salesman like I have, you probably made a great living and live a certain lifestyle and also have loans, college tuition etc etc. you live a high quality of life.

Anyway, if you’re at a certain trade like these guys were and that is all they know and now it’s being threatened to be taken away, they are thinking in the moment like what am I gonna do now, this is all I know and all I have. They can’t go back to being salaried employees, and in their minds they would have to be trained in a whole new industry via sales, and these guys knew they were to old to accept change, all the while knowing they have their lifestyle, family, and financial responsibility they are currently dealing with and the fear it could be taken away and having to start over.

Their sales property industry was changing and it was suddenly thrown in their faces and it was a shock to their system. Now, maybe a month or two down the road they think differently and move on and keep prospering or in Murray’s case wilt and die over it

Remember, the movie showed you what they were thinking in the moment not down the road

Get it now….
Genius?

[–] jacotodd47 (1843) 8 months ago

Great living?

Then why did you have to take out loans?

Personally, if anyone came into where I was working and spoke to me the way ALec Baldwin talks to these men - I'd have walked right out. Well, actually I'd have walked right up to Alec, looked him straight in the eye and said GFY.

Then I would have walked out.

Any self respecting individual would do the same.

[–] whatwazdat (414) 8 months ago

Well, you don't know anything about w2s and 1099s if you did that. 😂

[–] jacotodd47 (1843) 8 months ago

In fact, I know exactly about W2's and 1099s. What I'm saying is, if you are a self respecting person, you tell Baldwin to GFH and walk out.

Even Levine, in is desperation, can walk out. Jerry Graff is across the street. Actually this is not true. Levine would have had to first establish that he could in fact go work for Graff. If he finds out Graff will take him, then he can walk too.

The other guys are relatively young men. They don't have to stay there. Straight commission job- no benefits. You can find that anywhere.

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 8 months ago

Again, stupid response

Loans? Holy shit dude, everyone has Loans, leases, mortgages, tuitions etc

Are you 18 years old? Are you still sucking on your mom’s tits?

I’m sorry, but I can’t explain economics and real life to you.

I wish you all the luck to make it past 35

[–] jacotodd47 (1843) 8 months ago

"Loans? Holy shit dude, everyone has Loans, leases, mortgages, tuitions etc"

Really?

I don't.

Well past 35. Been doing as I please since my early 40s.

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 8 months ago

That’s good for you, most people who don’t make a lot of money usually try to live within their means. You have to, no one will extend credit to you. Most people who do make money extend themselves sometimes to have what they want and work the interest rate system to their advantage

[–] jacotodd47 (1843) 8 months ago

Ok, You seem like a decent guy. Stuff like loans, mortgages, I've had them (The US Army paid for most of schooling). It didn't take long to figure out each and everyone of them was a rip off.

The smarter thing to do is have credit cards. You get cashbank bonuses. Pay off the balance in full at the end of every month. In fact, you've been given an interest free 30 day loan. It's a total win.

I've got 15 of them. As far as playing the interest rate game, you don't for sure if its going to go in your favor because you don't know what the Fed is going to do.

Does it mean I'm right? No. I can only speak of the end result. I've been doing as I please since my 40s, I'm in my 50s now, 100% set for life.

Whatever it is you're doing, I sincerely wish you the best of luck.

[–] TearofLys (2643) 2 months ago

"Great living?

Then why did you have to take out loans?"

Great point. He sounds like one of those people who feel the need to appear rich, and will spend everything he has and borrow more to put on that facade.