I hear you. When I was a little boy, my mother always told me never to speak about money. Never haggle over the price of something. Someone tells you the price, you buy it or you don't but you do not negociate like a cheap salesman. Also, you never ask someone how much he's making, or how much his car or sneakers cost. Also, if you can help someone, always do it for free and make sure to refuse any payment for it. Because it's the "good thing to do".
Not doing these things were the sign of a poverty-mindset, as we say nowadays. I was raised not to hate money, but to never put it on a pedestal. That is a very European thing. Perhaps because unlike our American cousins, it is not as vital to our survival. If I go to the dentist, I usually pay 30€, not $400. If I am hospitalized for a week, there won't be a dark suit knocking at my door with a 10-years monthly payment plan for me to sign. So naturally, money doesn't have the same value.
Perhaps also because us Europeans come from centuries of royalty and nobility-values where the ability to go an fight for the king and uphold traditional values were more important - Try and bribe your way out of a quarrel with Louis XIV and see how much your money is worth (if you think I exaggerate, wikipedia "Fouquet").
Americans are and have always been a nation of adventurers and merchants. And their nation was born right at the time when traditional European values were giving way to the new paradigm- Industrial revolution. You don't erase 2000 years of culture in history in just 200 years, so the European's money talk aversion does not surprises me. Same for our American cousins.
Anyway, I digress. Great article Tom, loved the little story-time at the beginning.
This is my problem with the money talk issue. On some level I get it and agree with the underlying idea behind it. Modesty, privacy, not wanting to needlessly induce envy (or indeed pity) and so on. I like the aristocratic disdain for work and mercantilism. It ‘resonates’ as they say. But if you are on the lower end of the scale the aversion is more of a hindrance than a virtue.
As with virtually everything, I don’t know the solution, but I know a problem when I see one. And maybe highlighting the problem- even if it is only a vague feeling- is the first step towards striking a better balance.
I hear you. When I was a little boy, my mother always told me never to speak about money. Never haggle over the price of something. Someone tells you the price, you buy it or you don't but you do not negociate like a cheap salesman. Also, you never ask someone how much he's making, or how much his car or sneakers cost. Also, if you can help someone, always do it for free and make sure to refuse any payment for it. Because it's the "good thing to do".
Not doing these things were the sign of a poverty-mindset, as we say nowadays. I was raised not to hate money, but to never put it on a pedestal. That is a very European thing. Perhaps because unlike our American cousins, it is not as vital to our survival. If I go to the dentist, I usually pay 30€, not $400. If I am hospitalized for a week, there won't be a dark suit knocking at my door with a 10-years monthly payment plan for me to sign. So naturally, money doesn't have the same value.
Perhaps also because us Europeans come from centuries of royalty and nobility-values where the ability to go an fight for the king and uphold traditional values were more important - Try and bribe your way out of a quarrel with Louis XIV and see how much your money is worth (if you think I exaggerate, wikipedia "Fouquet").
Americans are and have always been a nation of adventurers and merchants. And their nation was born right at the time when traditional European values were giving way to the new paradigm- Industrial revolution. You don't erase 2000 years of culture in history in just 200 years, so the European's money talk aversion does not surprises me. Same for our American cousins.
Anyway, I digress. Great article Tom, loved the little story-time at the beginning.
This is my problem with the money talk issue. On some level I get it and agree with the underlying idea behind it. Modesty, privacy, not wanting to needlessly induce envy (or indeed pity) and so on. I like the aristocratic disdain for work and mercantilism. It ‘resonates’ as they say. But if you are on the lower end of the scale the aversion is more of a hindrance than a virtue.
As with virtually everything, I don’t know the solution, but I know a problem when I see one. And maybe highlighting the problem- even if it is only a vague feeling- is the first step towards striking a better balance.
Tom, what a kind and undeserved surprise. Thank you kindly.
You’re welcome. And make no mistake, it was well deserved. Cheers.
I appreciate the Alumni selections you offer. Don't worry...you are still the star for me.
That’s very sweet of you to say Lynn. What’s the point of having an audience if you can’t shine that light (however bright or dim it is) on others?