In a society where industriousness is prized, being lazy is often seen as the ultimate transgression. But perhaps the very concept is flawed. Maybe it’s time to take a closer look at who’s doing the judging and take a more nuanced view of what’s perceived to be inactivity

Words: Gordon Cairns

After an exhausting day at work and a long commute home, you turn the key in the lock, hoping for a scene of domestic order – perhaps even the smell of dinner gently simmering in the pot. Instead, you find your housemate lounging on the couch, eyes glued to their phone. About them lie unwashed mugs, a dirty plate, an empty crisp packet, even the morning’s muesliencrusted cereal bowl. The TV is on mute in the background. An expletive followed by the word ‘lazy’ springs to mind. But is this a fair description or a sign of your own struggle to put their behaviour – and what you perceive as their failure to do what you’d like them to have done – into context?

Many would agree that ‘lazy’ is a loaded term, often used indiscriminately to describe a raft of actions (or perceived inaction) that don’t fit the norm of so-called acceptable behaviour. It might be directed at a colleague staring serenely out of a window, a waiter in no rush to take an order, a checkout assistant scanning groceries at what feels like a snail’s pace. It’s also a form of self-criticism, an explanation as to why a task isn’t yet complete or a deadline has been missed.

Different view Yet there are voices that argue there’s no such thing. Social psychologist Devon Price, for example, titled his recent book Laziness Does Not Exist. But if that’s true, why are so many happy to judge others as lazy? Devon offers an American perspective: ‘It’s very deeply embedded into our history. The Puritans, who really helped shape the belief system of this country, believed that hard workers were predestined for heaven and that anyone who had trouble staying on task was already consigned to hell and that it was immoral to offer people in that position any charity or social support. By the time the United States became a country, this line of thinking was already deeply entrenched.’