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It's all about the money, money, money
Sep. 16th, 2012 01:02 pmThis was quite an interesting article, I think the Managing Director is the most noxious, isn't she? The call centre worker in Sunderland was pathetic, as in: arousing pathos in me. The fact that he could now buy a meal in the canteen rather than bringing in a packed lunch made me feel a bit teary. It made me think of luxuries I could not do without:
1. Taking the train rather than the coach, or the tube into town rather than the 73 bus.
2. Non Ryan-Air flights.
3. Cup of £2.50 coffee.
4. Food shopping at Waitrose, not Tesco's.
It's all about the food and travel for me. Dave and I sometimes do the "if we won the lottery" conversation* and my answer is not things: I can't drive, I get homesick on holiday, I don't dress well, the idea of even more technology** makes me feel ill - my idea of fun is always about making life easier. I would travel first class, I would take a black cab from the tube station rather than waiting for the 253, I would never go to Argos. I could live in that middle class bubble where everything and everyone is always lovely and treats you nicely (I still remember when we got the sleeper train to St Ives, how the train manager took us directly to our berth rather than viewing us as inconvenient cattle).
The supermarket check-out worker who wants "£1,200 a month instead of £1,000 would give me enough to pay my bills and clear my debts, then I could maybe learn how to drive" is a prime example of how just a bit more would make life easier for 90% of people. People look around and see what others have - if everyone's about the same, then they're more or less happy. If the disparity is wide, then they aren't. Those in the higher tax bracket who see their friends having a three week vacation in Mauritus whereas they're only going to their holiday home in Padstow are going to be as envious and resentful as the person taking a caravan holiday in Skegness whilst their next door neighbour goes to Tenerife.
At my work, I get a 33% discount on my organic veg bag, which only equates to a saving of about £100 a year, but I probably prefer that to being paid £100 more. Being from up t'north, getting free or cheaper stuff is more important than earning a lot - last night, I went for pizza and the South Yorkshire birthday girl pointed out that we were the only two taking home our leftovers: I do love a good leftover.
* I have never bought a lottery ticket.
** People keep telling me to get a kindle. I don't want a kindle; I enjoy going to the library.
1. Taking the train rather than the coach, or the tube into town rather than the 73 bus.
2. Non Ryan-Air flights.
3. Cup of £2.50 coffee.
4. Food shopping at Waitrose, not Tesco's.
It's all about the food and travel for me. Dave and I sometimes do the "if we won the lottery" conversation* and my answer is not things: I can't drive, I get homesick on holiday, I don't dress well, the idea of even more technology** makes me feel ill - my idea of fun is always about making life easier. I would travel first class, I would take a black cab from the tube station rather than waiting for the 253, I would never go to Argos. I could live in that middle class bubble where everything and everyone is always lovely and treats you nicely (I still remember when we got the sleeper train to St Ives, how the train manager took us directly to our berth rather than viewing us as inconvenient cattle).
The supermarket check-out worker who wants "£1,200 a month instead of £1,000 would give me enough to pay my bills and clear my debts, then I could maybe learn how to drive" is a prime example of how just a bit more would make life easier for 90% of people. People look around and see what others have - if everyone's about the same, then they're more or less happy. If the disparity is wide, then they aren't. Those in the higher tax bracket who see their friends having a three week vacation in Mauritus whereas they're only going to their holiday home in Padstow are going to be as envious and resentful as the person taking a caravan holiday in Skegness whilst their next door neighbour goes to Tenerife.
At my work, I get a 33% discount on my organic veg bag, which only equates to a saving of about £100 a year, but I probably prefer that to being paid £100 more. Being from up t'north, getting free or cheaper stuff is more important than earning a lot - last night, I went for pizza and the South Yorkshire birthday girl pointed out that we were the only two taking home our leftovers: I do love a good leftover.
* I have never bought a lottery ticket.
** People keep telling me to get a kindle. I don't want a kindle; I enjoy going to the library.
