As someone who has taken several language courses after work, I find this very true. Just enduring 2 hours of “personal development” after work is extremely mentally exhausting. You work 8-16, commute, eat, chill a bit, language class 18-20, go home, blank stare because that’s as far as your mental energy reaches now.

I don’t have to pretend for the last 4-6 hours or so, like in many other countries, but 8 actual hours of unhinged freedom before bedtime? Nah.

Well of course you do those things but they are still on your time, eating , chilling a bit,personal development (not worl development) are all personal things and you could chat with someone during your chill tile, before and after language class, have lunch/dinner with them,etc.... you can associate with who you want. You can also go wild in gay club for those 8hrs and no one will tell you different those are your choices. For personal development obligations I don't know about you but I don't have to do those for more than at most one or two months total in a year. If you choose to be a loner like me that's fine just don't use work as a place to fulfill your social needs, or work for a politicial or a religion lol

I am sorry but I have been adulting a long time and that has not been my experience. Even when I was driving across town and doing 12hr night shifts I still has 2-3hrs a day to watch a move or waste time on the internet. I don't have a social life but if I did I can imagine spending it at bars,clubs, hanging out with people,etc... but my lack of social life is my own problem or choice.

Why did the goalpost change from 8hrs to max 2-3hrs?

That was my point exactly, chores and sustenance eat up a lot of the 8hrs of “personal” time.

I didn't know it was a goalpost but are you saying 2-3 hrs of socializing everyday is insufficient? Actually let's say the whole thing isn't enough, so what? You burden your coworkers with your need to talk about politics all the time? Really? If you think you should work less I am all for 4 day work weeks but you know we have to work to eat right? A certain amount of hours a week. Can you not make listen to whatever unrelated political or religious thing you think other people should listen to from your mouth as I try to make money to support myself and survive? If I had a choice I would be home not socializing at all and I am sure you would be on a podium in front of a large crowd telling them how amazing your revelations are but neither of us get what we want. So be courteous and shit in the toilet,eat in a clean dining area, get naked in front of people that aren't being coerced to see you and keep controversial opinions and views where an honest discussion (instead of circle jerking between you and buddies) means heated arguments that will affect how comfortable and productive everyone is outside of places where people have to work and associate with each other like a workplace?

The key assholery you don't seem to get is that I am not a willing participantin that discussion. You are doing it in violation of my consent. I don't even care if it means you never get to express your views or whatever, talk to the mirror at home I don't care. Or see a therapist about your constant need for external validation or to feel heard by strangers. Don't make it other people's problems. You wouldn't like it if you needed a job and everyone is talking about political shit that is horrible just to listen to but speaking up might cost you a job would you?

How is this shit even legal? Or allowed by HR people???