---political correctness of the highest order---
Thursday, February 25, 2010
31 Jul 2010
As the first post of 2010, what better way to kick off another year of trite banter than a snide article to educate the unwashed heathens within my circle of influence.
I'd like to debunk the common misconception that my family is wealthy, and provide reasonable (seriously) explanations to the contrary that do not attempt to insult the reader's intelligence. If at the end of it all you still insist otherwise, then you've already made up your mind long ago with bias and no amount of convincing would change your mind, logic and reading comprehension notwithstanding.
Misconception 1: I live in a private condo in the prime district
Being a capitalist world, you should realize that housing prices rise & fall with market demand and other undefinable economic factors that retards with MBAs keep trying to predict and rationalize. We went in and bought low when everyone else was busy putting their money into fixed deposits. Simple logic. Looking at the prices you probably paid for your built-to-order HDB flat, who the hell are you to call me rich?
Misconception 2: I own personal transport
If this was in the 80s - 90s, I'd agree only the wealthy would be able to afford personal transport at my current age. Again, market forces. Look it up if you can't grasp this concept. Did you know my 2.0L Accord costs less than your 1.8L Civic because of time & space? COE was cheap, car demand was down, prices were in the shitter. Again, a no-brainer. Did I also mention that my petrol is all half priced cuz its from across the causeway? How many of you have the patience or time to do that on a weekly basis? Nobody? Can I claim you're actually more wealthy than I am? Since your time is more valuable than mine?
Misconception 3: I buy plenty of expensive original game software/toys
Did you also know I hardly spend money on anything else? I don't buy Boss shirts or Pedro shoes. I cut my hair at QB house and my wardrobe comprises mainly of 'old' generic brand clothes that are over 5 years old. LV to me means Levis, and I sure as hell won't spend $500 on a pair of what's-that-brand jeans. I won't even mention the fact that practically every girl out can easily spend hundreds on makeup that lasts a few months before replenishment is necessary. Remember when Coach and Kate Spade were luxury brands? Know any females these days who do not own at least one or ten of these merchandise? Let's not even go near shoes. My gaming collection has lasted me for over 2 decades in comparison, and I buy perhaps 10 games and 3 toys per year on average. In math terms that's $1k for 365 DAYS to support my spending habit. Beat that.
Misconception 4: I own a phone that costs over $1k with hardly any features
And this very same phone will last a good decade before I've any urge to change, just like my previous 8850. I'm willing to pay such a price because I love the phone aesthetics and will not get tired of it, ever. Try telling me the same thing with your iPhone in a couple of years. My mobile plan expired years ago unlike majority of you who can barely clock 21 months before getting the next in-fashion phone. Do the math, the average person spends just as much on phones over the years as I do. Also, I use my phone for calling & sms period. I don't need to surf the net or check my email. I have a perfectly good computer at home to do that. I don't even need a bloody camera although the Luna 8600 does come with one.
Misconception 5: I work for fun because I can always ask my parents for money
I'm not serious about my current job because I loathe it, am on bond, have wanted to leave since 4 years back, and will be leaving later this year. While I do wish my parents were so rich that I could just live off them my entire life because I've no backbone and damn hell proud of it, I can't because *surprise* my parents can't afford it. My dad continues to work hard even though he wants to retire because my family isn't completely financially free. Like a lot of other families out there, there is a high chance we'll have to downgrade to a HDB flat once he retires JUST so my parents will have enough cash to live out their lives. So much for being 'wealthy' eh?
Misconception 6: I am high class with expensive tastes
Where the hell did this come from? My main pastimes are playing video games and soccer, the former I've already clarified and latter the national hobby. In most cases, soccer is free and only investment required is some sportswear and shoes. Hardly anything that could even be remotely construed as expensive. Benchmarking against a typical young executive's lifestyle (nightlife, traveling, entertainment), I live like a freaking monk by comparison. Yes, I like expensive cars and equipment and envy the high life but that's just it. I don't live pretentiously nor try to impress upon anyone that my social status is higher than what it actually is. What I like doesn't equate to the ability to own it. Who doesn't want to own a fancy (in your own terms) car? Who actually owns one? Neither do I.
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY??
-e|even¹¹-
I'd like to debunk the common misconception that my family is wealthy, and provide reasonable (seriously) explanations to the contrary that do not attempt to insult the reader's intelligence. If at the end of it all you still insist otherwise, then you've already made up your mind long ago with bias and no amount of convincing would change your mind, logic and reading comprehension notwithstanding.
Misconception 1: I live in a private condo in the prime district
Being a capitalist world, you should realize that housing prices rise & fall with market demand and other undefinable economic factors that retards with MBAs keep trying to predict and rationalize. We went in and bought low when everyone else was busy putting their money into fixed deposits. Simple logic. Looking at the prices you probably paid for your built-to-order HDB flat, who the hell are you to call me rich?
Misconception 2: I own personal transport
If this was in the 80s - 90s, I'd agree only the wealthy would be able to afford personal transport at my current age. Again, market forces. Look it up if you can't grasp this concept. Did you know my 2.0L Accord costs less than your 1.8L Civic because of time & space? COE was cheap, car demand was down, prices were in the shitter. Again, a no-brainer. Did I also mention that my petrol is all half priced cuz its from across the causeway? How many of you have the patience or time to do that on a weekly basis? Nobody? Can I claim you're actually more wealthy than I am? Since your time is more valuable than mine?
Misconception 3: I buy plenty of expensive original game software/toys
Did you also know I hardly spend money on anything else? I don't buy Boss shirts or Pedro shoes. I cut my hair at QB house and my wardrobe comprises mainly of 'old' generic brand clothes that are over 5 years old. LV to me means Levis, and I sure as hell won't spend $500 on a pair of what's-that-brand jeans. I won't even mention the fact that practically every girl out can easily spend hundreds on makeup that lasts a few months before replenishment is necessary. Remember when Coach and Kate Spade were luxury brands? Know any females these days who do not own at least one or ten of these merchandise? Let's not even go near shoes. My gaming collection has lasted me for over 2 decades in comparison, and I buy perhaps 10 games and 3 toys per year on average. In math terms that's $1k for 365 DAYS to support my spending habit. Beat that.
Misconception 4: I own a phone that costs over $1k with hardly any features
And this very same phone will last a good decade before I've any urge to change, just like my previous 8850. I'm willing to pay such a price because I love the phone aesthetics and will not get tired of it, ever. Try telling me the same thing with your iPhone in a couple of years. My mobile plan expired years ago unlike majority of you who can barely clock 21 months before getting the next in-fashion phone. Do the math, the average person spends just as much on phones over the years as I do. Also, I use my phone for calling & sms period. I don't need to surf the net or check my email. I have a perfectly good computer at home to do that. I don't even need a bloody camera although the Luna 8600 does come with one.
Misconception 5: I work for fun because I can always ask my parents for money
I'm not serious about my current job because I loathe it, am on bond, have wanted to leave since 4 years back, and will be leaving later this year. While I do wish my parents were so rich that I could just live off them my entire life because I've no backbone and damn hell proud of it, I can't because *surprise* my parents can't afford it. My dad continues to work hard even though he wants to retire because my family isn't completely financially free. Like a lot of other families out there, there is a high chance we'll have to downgrade to a HDB flat once he retires JUST so my parents will have enough cash to live out their lives. So much for being 'wealthy' eh?
Misconception 6: I am high class with expensive tastes
Where the hell did this come from? My main pastimes are playing video games and soccer, the former I've already clarified and latter the national hobby. In most cases, soccer is free and only investment required is some sportswear and shoes. Hardly anything that could even be remotely construed as expensive. Benchmarking against a typical young executive's lifestyle (nightlife, traveling, entertainment), I live like a freaking monk by comparison. Yes, I like expensive cars and equipment and envy the high life but that's just it. I don't live pretentiously nor try to impress upon anyone that my social status is higher than what it actually is. What I like doesn't equate to the ability to own it. Who doesn't want to own a fancy (in your own terms) car? Who actually owns one? Neither do I.
Misconception 7: I'm a brat because my parents had the money to get me whatever I wanted
Totally agree with the brat portion. But that has nothing to do with money. I want things to comply to my standards because (usually) my methods of doing things are the most practically efficient though hardly ever politically correct. I'm goal driven and want to get things done, not hand out silver platters to every yahoo who can dial my number. I'm impatient with people because I often need to make concessions for them that almost always involves inconveniencing myself or cause me financial loss. Being generous and helpful isn't an issue if it MAKES SENSE to do so. I'd be happy to drive across the island to pick someone up because he's handicapped than to take a 2 minute walk to the canteen to do someone a favor to buy them coffee. I'm different that way, but its completely unrelated to how much I've got in my bank account, which is not much. If it matters, I seldom got the toys I wanted as a kid unless it was meant as a reward or occasion.
So in totality, my net expenditure doesn't really differ much from the average person. Where I spend more, others spend less and vice versa. The only reason why people seem to *think* I'm rich is because the stuff I buy are usually expensive and constantly visible, although bloody durable. I seldom have to change or replace any of my big ticket purchases. Comparatively, the typical 20-something owns considerably less tangible assets but his 'invisible' intangibles make up for it. I use my money to buy things. You use your money to buy lifestyle. Hence, what I'm implying is if you think I'm wealthy, there's a 100% chance you're just as well off as I am. So next time you have the urge to label me 'rich', please remember you're probably being a hypocrite. "Pot call Kettle black" yada yada.
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY??
-e|even¹¹-
