I feel poor today.
It is very unlike me to feel that way. I have always maintained that richness is more a state of mind, than the state of your bank balance. I personally know people, whose miserly attitude truly belies their bulging pockets. And I also have met people who are the exact opposite of that – those who never think twice before giving away something to others, though they might not be in a position to do so, comfortably.
As for me, I don’t recall a time when I really wanted something badly, and couldn’t afford to get it. It helps that I don’t have very expensive tastes ! So, I have always considered myself well-off. Until today, that is.
S happens to be working in the field of credit cards. Today was one of those days, when some issue came up, because of which he had to get some work done, while at home enjoying his weekend. He had to make some changes in the database, which entailed him going through the transactions made by one of the card customers. I happened to see them too (big mistake !).
This person had spent unbelievable amounts of money, shopping in the most expensive places all around the world, for an entire month ! In fact, his one month credit card bill amounted to a figure, which I would probably never earn in my lifetime ! Just the thought that I could never ever attain that state, makes me so sad. I wonder, if people like this person even realise the value for money. Born a shaikh, he has obviously been brought up in the lap of luxury. And his next few generations will also continue to live in a similar fashion…
Sometimes, the gross disparity in the world just makes me feel, it is all so unfair…
7 responses so far ↓
Tauqeer // August 2, 2008 at 12:14 pm |
lol
Gauri // August 5, 2008 at 8:17 am |
hmm.. the disparity shocks me too… it’s sad you know.. but this guy u mention has spent perhaps equal to our earning of a lifetime in one month… Just the same way, when we dine out, we spend about a month’s salary that our house maid earns… how’s that?? so dining out makes me feel awfully guilty, but I have still not curbed tht.. sadly, the disparity is there… so glaring and so very real..
Gee // August 7, 2008 at 1:35 pm |
Tauqeer,
I know, it seems pretty laughable to me too, in hindsight !
Gauri,
You’re right…there’ll always be two ways of looking at things (if not more !). In the very least, you can console yourself saying that you’re better off than so many others…
In any case, I’m now over the hangover !
dharmabum // August 11, 2008 at 8:43 am |
kaupeena vantah, khalu bhagyavantah
Gee // August 11, 2008 at 1:05 pm |
DB,
Though I’ve learnt Sanskrit, I couldn’t understand that !
Would you be kind enough to explain ?
dharmabum // August 12, 2008 at 4:12 am |
er…it might sound crude, but the ‘kaupeena’ is a loin cloth. it means, the one who owns but a loin cloth, is indeed fortunate (bhagyavantah)
Gee // August 12, 2008 at 6:39 am |
True !
Actually, I did a search on the word kaupeena, and found some funny links related to it. So, i was wondering how it could have been related to a profound quote !