The Absent Uncle: Mercenary

I was having a conversation with my son earlier today, about history, about futures, and the choices in between. 

With this age thing you start to see how things just repeat themselves, certainly with different parameters and circumstances appropriate to the present time. But repeat they do – just look for the similarities and there they are.

Our conversation reminded me of a lesson I learned and a word that was redefined during the conversation held some 30 odd years ago. 

And here we go – back to the Websters.

Mercenary: Working or done for payment only; motivated by a desire for money or other gain: venal; greedy. (Was curious about the definition of venal, but it only makes mercenary more of a negative word.)

As a kid growing up, I had always thought of “mercenary” as a soldier for hire; kind of a French Legionnaire type. But is that only what a mercenary is?

I was in a job compensation discussion with a potential employer when I was labeled “a mercenary” during the negotiation. I was taken aback by the label and although we ultimately came to an agreement (and subsequently had a great employment relationship) I found myself thinking about the word and really truly questioning words such as “mercenary”, “employee/employer”, “dedication”, “fairness”, “altruism”, and “charity” among others. 

It would be a conversation that shaped my outlook going forward. 

In that negotiation, I was looking out for my family – our well-being. I was taking a chance; leaving a secure, well-paying position, uprooting my family and moving a fair distance. I am sure the negotiator was looking out for the company as well. If I wasn’t a fit, who was the next interviewee? Sort of a mercenary as well from the opposite point of view.

Another point of view is the airline instructions about the drop-down oxygen masks in case of emergency. They correctly point out to put your mask on prior to helping a child or others. None of us would consider it a mercenary point of view to save yourself in order to save others.

We are all mercenaries at some level; in my mind it is not negative, not something to be ashamed of regardless of the past connotations of the word’s usage. Uphold your word, fulfill the obligation, and receive the compensation promised. Fair enough.