Smugly Unaware

[brainiac3397]

I know its not really there fault cause they probably arent consciously aware of it, but as someone who has been skirting the poverty line by a thin margin, I find myself annoyed by the smug ignorance of folk who never experienced a life where buying a cup of coffee required checking ones bank account.

I got a camera recently, a Nikon D5500 with two extra lenses for different purposes. That shit cost me nearly a thousand bucks. We have a guy at the workplace who is a PhD fella who has interests in optics and photography and stuff, but the guy doesnt seem to understand that I can afford a few thousand dollar camera set up. Of course the dude has two homes and spent his youth traveling the world (he had recommended I do that for the best experience. I can barely afford flying inside the country. Dafuq am I gonna fund a globe tour?)

Aint the first time I experienced this either. I occassionally run into people who are incapable of understanding how one must adapt to live poor. Academics and intellectuals are usually the worst if they have no poor background. Their concept of poor is "my father was some middle class professor, executive, or bureaucrat". Yeh, well my daddy did manual labor and never finished college. Theres a huge difference between white and blue collar that is only clear when you give it a try and see just how hard shit gets.

Worse when u dont look like a stereotype poor. No shit Im buying nice suits and an expensive camera, I dont want to get stuck in the rut where I deny myself life simply because Im afraid to spend money. I just wish people were a bit more conscious about this issue and a bit less stupid about it.

[James Comey]

Tell me about it.

I'm pretty much roughly in the same situation as you are, if not slightly better. Since I've pretty much have had to adopt to myself, and since I'm a college student (not a very rich one), I have to keep a pretty careful eye on my finances. Yes, I do indeed have to match prices, or look for bargains, because I don't want to go in fucking debt.

It's worse when people say platitudes like "well, if you don't like your job, just get a better one" or "if something's too expensive don't do it"; well, bitch, I'm pretty much stuck in between a rock and a hard place in regards to college and employment, which could require me to take out a loan; my teacher told me not to be afraid of loans, but again, I'm not looking to fuck up my prospects in the future.

You pretty much can't say shit unless you've experienced it; at best it's pretentious. Honestly, otherwise, just shut the fuck up. (not directed to you, brain)

/endrant

[Ky]

I haven't been in that situation, so it would probably be wisest not for me to profess an opinion.

[brainiac3397]

shut up u bourgeous parasite

worst case of such ppl are ones who think the "poor lifestyle" is cool or edgy. No, Im not dressed in jeans tearing at the ends cuz its fashionable. Im not doing grunge if my shoes are dirty or worn. My nondescript polo shirt isnt an avant garde symbol of the struggles of the faceless proletariat lost in the masses of global consumers.

[James Comey]

Seriously. Some people like the "gritty lifestyle". Live it for real, please.

[the Analogist]

I was relieved to finally get a job where I THOUGHT I would be able to save money. Well, even though my income more than doubled, I no longer qualify for free healthcare, or as many food stamps. I needed to move into a bigger house (to rent) because of my growing family. Rent continues to deplete my savings between 2nd and 1st paychecks. On top of that, our new "CEO" wants to break the union and make us pay even more for health insurance. I NEED the expensive plan.

Its still "better", but it doesnt quite feel like it.