WITH the recent showing of the movie, Crazy Rich Asians, I saw a bunch of judgmental, nasty commentary regarding rich people’s spending habits on my newsfeed. I don't really get why some people become upset when the rich spend their money and use their purchasing power. Hello, the devil is not Prada.
When others see lavish posts about handbags costing by the hundreds of thousands or fancy parties costing millions, many raise their eyebrows and say that kind of extravagance is sinful and obscene. They refute that the amount can go to the poor and already feed hundreds.
Yes, in a perfect world, all of us can buy what we want. Anyone can carry a Birkin handbag, ride in a private jet, and drop millions on a couture outfit without nary a care in the world. But, sadly, reality bites. Inequality, whether it’s power or the distribution of wealth, is omnipresent in all countries worldwide.
But, see, what people do with their own money is none of anyone’s damn business. (Unless, of course, they belong to the list of corrupt politicians or they fool/scam people to buy and pay for their conspicuous consumption.) Let the truly rich do what they want without judgment because it is their money. If they choose to spend it on items you consider frivolous, then that’s your problem. Their money, their prerogative.
What will the ultra-rich do with all that money if they won't spend it on themselves? Think of it as when you get your bonus and you splurge it immediately on yourself or your loved ones. It’s just that the richy-richies’ splurging habits are on a whole new, different, out-of-this world level.
Always remember, majority of those who become affluent work hard for it. And even if they inherited it from daddy, is it so terrible to have their children benefit from the fruits of their labor? Of course, their kids will enjoy it. Don't expect the rich people to think like: I should not buy this mansion; instead, I’ll give the money I worked hard for to the poor. Naturally, their own children are on top of their list of priorities.
And before you cast judgment, consider this—I bet they have charities that they've donated to and keep on donating to, while most of those who complain have never given a cent to those in need. The bitter “inggiteras” have the audacity to criticize those who are privileged when they themselves haven’t done anything. So before you bat your eyelash on other people’s spending habits, double check first in the mirror.
Curb the green-eyed monster when you examine the lifestyle of the rich. Comparison is the thief of joy and envy stirs up so much negative feelings. Instead, use the rich people’s lifestyle you see on your newsfeed as a source of inspiration to motivate you so that you can improve your own standing. Always aim to be better, not bitter.
Let me end with this quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby: “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me. They possess and enjoy early, and it does something to them, makes them soft where we are hard, and cynical where we are trustful, in a way that, unless you were born rich, it is very difficult to understand. They think, deep in their hearts, that they are better than we are because we had to discover the compensations and refuges of life for ourselves. Even when they enter deep into our world or sink below us, they still think that they are better than we are. They are different. ”
Yes, talk about feelings of entitlement! In my case, being rich is not the ultimate ambition. It is nice to have the spending power, true. However, to be happy, at peace, and content are my goals...but then, that's a totally different story.