Posted by WorryGirl on May 12, 2003, at 19:10:43
In reply to Re: The seriousness of sanity, posted by noa on May 12, 2003, at 18:52:29
> All of this was reinforced for me more, when I recently read "Nickle and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich.
>
I am with you on everything you said!
I just picked up that book about two months ago. I read it nonstop until it was finished. I think it was very courageous of Barbara to do what she did. Even though she admitted that she still had it easier than the average low wage worker, I was impressed with her being willing to actually live that kind of lifestyle for fairly long periods in different places. Especially considering her upper middle class background. I don't know too many people at that income level who would be willing to do what she did.I have worked low wage jobs throughout part of my late teens and twenties, when I was married the first time and my husband was often jobless. Even though we had months where we didn't have enough money to pay the electric bill, we somehow managed to eek by in the end. Compared to some of the people this lady worked with, though, we were living comfortably.
One of the biggest reasons I am usually an appreciative person, especially of the little things, is because I have had a very small taste of poverty and have never taken material things for granted since. I also refuse to judge someone based on their lifestyle, occupation, or living conditions, race, etc. If anything, I'm a reverse snob, but I try not to be. It's just that one thing that gets my blood boiling is how arrogant a few people can be just because they have a fancy degree, or make a lot of money, etc. Thankfully, there are many gracious and humble successful people out there, too.
I get the most angry when I see how rudely service people are sometimes treated; or worse, when they are treated like they're invisible. Sorry to be on the soapbox so long, but that book sure opened my eyes.
poster:WorryGirl
thread:226042
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030506/msgs/226189.html