This kid's "challenge" really got under my skin.
At first, it struck me as emblematic of the kind of whining entitlement that my peers and I spend so much time, well, whining about when we observe these Kids Today--unwilling to work, unfamiliar with any notion of perseverance in the face of obstacles, etc.
Walking the dog last night, however, I engaged in 2 pastimes common for downtown NYC residents: First, I strolled along Bleecker Street and looked--sometimes with some degree of yearning--into shop windows. Next, I bumped into a friend--another NYC old-timer--and we played a rousing game of Bitch about the way the New Rich Have Destroyed the Far West Village--a fun and easy game for any number of players.
These simple pleasures reminded me of 2 important truths about life in New York--1) the incredible, abundant, pervasiveness of beautiful, desirable and just insanely expensive objects available for sale and, 2) the tendency many of us have of only being able to look UP the ladder--**Everyone** is richer than we are. **Everyone** is making more than we are at their jobs, in the Options Market etc. **Everyone** has a more fabulous apartment/house/country house than we do.
Those two realities DO make it a challenge for people on a budget--and, ultimately, almost EVERYONE is on a budget, even if it is one set by the trustees of your Grandfather's estate--to make it to the end of the month without over-spending on luxuries.
So--while I still feel the kid's Blog post reads like a Manifesto of Whiny, Youthful Entitlement, I empathize with his dilemma.
You think, what do you want?
You think, make a decision...
Updated On: 1/4/14 at 09:22 AM
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