The Singular Perspective of Wealth
Posted on 19 December 2008 by Justin
Over the past 3 weeks I have worked for a service based hospitality/tourism lodge that caters to a wealthy clientele. (For the purposes of this argument, wealthy implies that a couple makes in access of $US 250,000 a year). The clientele is often respectfully curious about how Natalie and I, as Americans, came to be working at a luxury lodge in New Zealand. These conversations usually contain an abbreviated version of why we are pursuing long term travel as a lifestyle and how/when those decisions were reached. These conversations tend to be abbreviated because I find it difficult to juggle drink orders for 9 tables (was that 3 gin/tonics and 1 house Merlot or 5 gin/tonics and 2 house Sauvignon Blancs?) while having a philosophical conversation regarding my personal views on the allure of extended travel.
After several rounds of “good for you”, “it is good to get that out of the way while your young”, and “I wish I’d done that before we started having kids” often comes the awkward questions.
“Does the lodge provide nice staff housing?”
“Well, I am sure the lodge provides you with a vehicle right?”
The staff housing question makes some sense because many seasonal jobs provide staff housing options that are rented by the employer to the employee. In our case, we found that we could make more cash by finding a job that required us to locate our own housing option. The provided vehicle question however, always catches me a bit off guard. Natalie and I are not involved in highly specialized jobs (read: developing next generation nano technology) here in New Zealand. The people who ask these questions often do so while I am making drinks and washing glasses so they should be well aware of my “expert” skill set. In what type of world would an employer give me a car so that I can get back and forth from a job where I spend my days weeding the garden, mixing drinks, and washing dishes?
These questions are usually asked with a slight amount of arrogance, clearly communicating that the interviewer is almost certain of my answer. The question is really just a confirmation of their assumed expectations informed by their class perspective. Except they’re wrong. My seasonal job did not come with a staff housing option (or allowance) and they did not throw in a loner car as a signing bonus. My guess here is that I am not the only seasonal worker in New Zealand providing their own housing and transportation.
Typically, after hearing my response, the interviewer gives me a look that is a cross between “whelp, I just made a fool of myself” and “how stupid are you to work a job with so little benefits”. I am not offended that, according to their world view, even low end jobs must come with excellent benefits or incentives. I was also not offended by the lady from L.A. who wanted to know where I was going to school for my hotel management degree. I am a bit concerned however about the narrow world view of the wealthy.
It bothers me that they are so out of touch with the root causes that create a cycle of poverty for working class people. I am worried about a world where many people who have both power and wealth assume that low end jobs come with high end perks.(The bag boy at the grocery store probably gets all of his groceries for free) Perhaps more than anything, I am surprised that educated wealthy people know so little about working class jobs as to confidently proclaim such incorrect assumptions.
What is it about wealth that causes people to see so little of the world around them to believe that these types of assumptions are correct? Do you have a funny story about the assumptions of the wealth (“let them eat cake” does not count)? Share them.
Tags | New Zealand
Love this entry. I appreciate your perspective. My wife (Kris) and I often talk about matters of wealth and poverty, trying to understand what they are. They are rather ellusive concepts.
While I can’t really think of any specific personal stories about the assumptions others have about wealth, I can surely relate to your situation. I am a campus minister, sort of a missionary. My family lives on the generosity of others. It is interesting the assumptions others make about wealth and how that relates to assumptions about worth. I have friends who recently joined our staff. They tell me stories of how their families have difficulty accepting the life they are choosing. I find it interesting. They never seem to have a philosophical issue with their career choice, the sharing of Christ and studying the Bible with others. No, their singular hurdle is the assumed salary and job security their son, daughter, or sibling will have. The great irony I face is that while I don’t make $250,000 a year, I am very wealthy. I get to perform a job that I find extremely valuable and fulfilling. I make a pretty good wage. I have amazing flexibility in my job. And I have better job security than many of my peers.
“The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him.” (Proverbs 28:11)
“The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.” (Ecclesiastes 5:12)
“The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the maker of them all.” (Proverbs 22:2)
@Ben Andrews –
Your point of view is right on. Friends, family, and/or people with money often have no place in their world view for a lifestyle that reject the accumulation of wealth as a major priority. Take care of yourself and enjoy Kalamzoo. I have still not found any place on earth quite like it. Also, I love the scripture. Thanks for the Encouragement.
Justin and Natalie, just a little feed back on your subject of relating from wealthy people. They did not come from backgrounds like your Grandpa and Grandma
In our childhood we were very poor, but didn’t know it, because our parents fed us and clothed us the best they could, even though we were on welfare! I remember getting my first doll and new dress and shoes in a box from the Goodfellas. As we got older and worked hard to get ahead we appreciate more of how we got there than people who never experienced the sacrifices that we had to. Now we look back at how fortunate we are but never forget how we got here! We are still working hard at helping our family and others to make it easier on them. We thank God every day for our wonderful family who are also helping us by working hard in the business that we started.
May God help us through these economic times but if we have to, we do not have to eat cake, we can eat BEANS!
Love you two, Grandma and Grandpa Miss you and God Speed!
A solid point. Many wealthy people, understand life from many perspectives. To that end, many people who have money use their wealth to help the less fortunate and are well aware of what is going on in the world. Sadly, I think this is closer to the exception than the norm. Of course, it is evident by your lifestyle that you have kept in touch with your roots.
Ben and Grandma I love both of your logical and realistic approaches to wealth. The two of you are two of the most loving and generous individuals in my life. (oh, and grandma, incase you can’t remember, Ben is the man who married Justin and I, our good friend in Kalamazoo.)
Alright, so I have to share my favorite story. Dafney (from England), yes that was her real name. One night she asked me what my husband did around the lodge. It being 10pm at night, and completely dark out, I never imagined the response I got when I mentioned he works on the grounds sometimes.
[imagine her strong English accent]
“Really! Justin is gardening tonight! Wow!”, then Dafney looks outside to the pitch black evening.
I laughed and said “Not unless he has a torch.” (British English for flashlight). Hehehehe. Hope you got a good laugh too!
In my experience, generally the wealthy people that are disconnected from what most of society experiences (i.e. the middle to lower classes) are those who have “old money.” Many of the people I know who have accumulated some degree of wealth throughout their lifetimes, like your grandma Nat, are not at all disconnected in the “Marie Antoinette” way. That being said, money is a tool, and what one does with money is a reflection of who that person is. Therefore, the more money one has at his disposal, the greater the magnification of his character. If you are self-centered, you will do selfish things with your money, if you are other-centered, you will help others with your money.
I don’t think money is evil by any means, but the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (I Tim 6:10). Take for instance the conversion of foodstuffs into biofuels; in our effort to save money so we can support our lifestyles in America and other developed countries by converting food to fuel, we are causing a global economic crisis. Moreover, the pursuit of money is tied to the pursuit of happiness, which in itself is never-ending, or as Solomon put it, “toiling for the wind.” Ultimately, when it comes down to it, humanity is in need of salvation from its dark self and a reason for being. Christ gave us freedom from sin/death and a reason to be.
I know that didn’t really answer your question, about a funny story, but having worked in the retail/restaurant industry for however long I did, I have plenty of aggravating stories myself on the singular perspective monetary wealth breeds. Like the time I was talking to an owner of a (massive 10 MPG H2) who didn’t understand why everyone wouldn’t want one.
Anyway, great post Justin, I love the ones that really make me think!
@Paulie – And think you did Paul. Thank you for sharing both your story (I mean seriously, why doesn’t everyone drive Hummers) and you deep thoughts. You get extra point for referring to a well know literary character.