The Challenge Of Getting Paid For Your Skills In Lubbock

If you have a skill, any skill at all, chances are, someone’s tried to get you to do something for them for free. Maybe they phrase it as “whip something ups” or “take a look at this real quick” or “do it for exposure” but unfortunately, that doesn’t translate to legal tender. Trust me. I checked.

I asked Lubbock locals to tell me some of the wildest things people have asked them to do for free, and they showed up with bells on. My goodness! Not only do we have a talented buch of folks in town, but we’ve also got some rather audacious people expecting services, skills, and talents for nada…

Lubbock’s Creative “Exposure” Economy

Artists, photographers, and musicans in Lubbock are apparently out here running on good vibes alone. Asking bands to play for “exposure” is ridiculous. Or, going so far as asking them to “pay to play”? Ha! You’re not fooling anybody! You are literally asking to profit off of them at that point! That’s not how this works…

Established artists being asked to design album art for people, followed by them screaming about the prices they are quoted, or saying “Well, I can get it for free if I just use AI!” just shows we are still living in a world where people don’t understand that time equals money, especially when it comes to skills. You want quality? You want real art? You pay for it. Plain and simple.

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The Favors That Get Out of Hand

Once people find out that you’re good at something, they think they can use it to their advantage. If you work for a moving company, you know how hard that job is. Instead of negotiating a price, your pals are calling you up and offering pizza and beer. NOPE.

If you’re a doctor, a nurse, or someone in the medical field, think of all the times you’ve been asked for free advice, or if you can give someone’s kid stitches after a ball game. Free help is always at your discretion. Don’t forget that.

It’ll Be Quick!” (It Never Is)

Hairstylists point out the number of people asking them to give their kid a “quick trim”. Since when is giving a child a haircut something quick? NEVER. They paid for their license and schooling, you pay for the haircut. The end.

The Moral of the Story

The next time someone asks you to do something for free, take a deep breath, smile, and say, “Sure, as soon as rent starts taking exposure.”

Because whether you’re an artist, a nurse, or the only person in the family who owns a truck, your time and your talent have value. Giving up the goods for free doesn’t get you anywhere. Don’t let people walk on you, friends. Demand what you’re worth and stick to your guns.

Ten People in Lubbock Who Would 100% Be Left Behind After The RaptureWe aren’t all headed for those pearly gates, and that means more tamales to go around at our apocalypse party! Gallery Credit: Chrissy Photo by Tya Syahara on UnsplashThat One Frat DaddyHis halo may be long gone, but his kegs seem to be eternal. That dude never runs out! He’s also got a killer plug… Photo by Vitaly Gariev on UnsplashYour Uncle Who Swears Hooters Had The Best WingsHe isn’t really heaven material, but the grill in his backyard is usually fired up. He’ll be the new pitmaster among the heathens. Photo by Vicky Hladynets on UnsplashThe DJ At Every AfterpartySomeone has to make the playlists down here! Enjoy listening to Creed or whatever up in heaven, guys! We’ll be jamming the good stuff down here… Photo by channnngma on UnsplashThe Woman Who Always Sneaks Her Flask Into Market StreetI mean, she’s the life of the party, even on the bread aisle! We definitely need her for the epic post-apocalyptic shindig. Photo by engin akyurt on UnsplashThat One Dude Who Does Nothing But Argue On FacebookHe’s not leaving until he’s finished voicing his opinion anyway, AND, he could really benefit from a beer and a toke of the devil’s lettuce… Photo by Kaffee Meister on UnsplashThe Buffet WarriorHe’s there every time you’re there, guarding the chocolate fountain with his life. He’s fought much harder battles with his toilet than Armageddon and somehow survived. He also makes a great jalapeno cream cheese spread. Photo by Jared Rice on UnsplashThe Ex Who is “Spirtual” And NOT ReligiousLeft behind, and she can’t wait to tell you why over her 5th Jameson and Diet Coke. Photo by Brandi Alexandra on UnsplashAdolph’s Karaoke QueenIn this case, Heaven’s gain is Hell’s loss. Lucky for us, she’s staying behind and bringing her karaoke gear to the party. SWEET! Photo by Emma Dau on UnsplashThat One Sports FanaticHis loyalty to the Dallas Cowboys is eternal, and so is his cooler full of Bud Light. Photo by Ryan Ancill on UnsplashThe Man Who Sets Up His Lawnchair To Watch For TornadosIf he can sit through the hail while his roof gets blown off, surely he can sit through the rapture. BRING CHAIRS TO THE PARTY, SIR! The Seven Deadly Sins of a Lubbock Tailgate PartyIf you want to get into heaven, you have to follow this tailgating code in Lubbock. I’m sorry. I don’t make the rules, but your salvation depends on them. Gallery Credit: Chrissy Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash1. Showing Up Empty-HandedIf you aren’t contributing, don’t bother coming! Seriously! Even if it’s only a 2-dollar bag of tortilla chips, you’ve GOT to make some kind of effort. Arriving with no cooler, no food, no nada, screams “ROOKIE!” Photo by Nathan Hurst on Unsplash2. Wearing Burnt Orange…or anything that isn’t red and black, for that matter. Even neutral colors are going to pull in a side-eye from folks. Photo by Dennis Klein on Unsplash3. Bringing Cruddy SalsaWhen you bring watery, super bland salsa, Jesus cries. Don’t make Jesus cry. You’ll get judged harder for bad salsa than you will for forgetting paper towels. Just don’t do it. Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash4. Blocking Another TailgateTruck space in the parking lot is sacred. Tailgates aren’t just tailgates. They are dining tables, chairs, and status symbols all rolled into one. If you park stupidly, you’ll make enemies before the game even starts. Photo by Mae Mu on Unsplash5. Skipping the Grill All TogetherIf you didn’t cook over an open flame, did you really tailgate at all? Cold sandwiches are for picnics at the beach, not Jones AT&T Stadium parking lots. Photo by Matt Benson on Unsplash6. Up and Leaving Before KickoffEven if the season has been rough, bailing early is truly an unforgivable sin. Unless you’re absolutely trashed and have to take an Uber home, you’d better not be leaving early, mister. Photo by Gary Chan on Unsplash7. Trashing the LotIt may be dusty in Lubbock, but it ain’t trashy, and we want to keep it that way. Leaving your beer cans, greasy plates, and broken folding chairs is tailgate blasphemy. Judgment day is coming for anyone who carelessly tosses their trash on the ground and walks away.