How fortunate we are.

[stefmcd]

Never foolish to be grateful for what you have. Most of the humans who have ever lived would consider our lives heavenly. And yet there are probably less smiles than ever. We're twisted creatures. Quite a feat to create a safer, more secure unhappier society.

[earlofsodbury]

Thoughtful thread for a Friday, I like it We should be mindful, and gratitude for our good fortune is right and proper.

I sometimes find myself talking nonsense about 'guilt' - like a few here I grew up with less than f-all and could get a bit 4-Yorkshiremen about it - so ending-up with a few quid to spaff on trinketry still feels a bit odd, but guilt is a pointless, self-indulgent emotion that does no-one any good.

Instead, a visit to the FR I think.

[kevkojak]

I was watching a Jimmy Carr interview a few weeks ago (some podcast or other) and he remarked that even the poorest members of western society enjoy a life with conveniences and luxuries that 50 years ago (less than two generations) even the top, top tier of society - Royalty and the like - could only dream of.
It's a sobering thought really. With all their wealth and land and servants, most of the ultra elite throughout history didn't even have a flushing toilet. We take an awful lot for granted, it does make you wonder just how bad the people living on the modern day breadline have it.

[Griswold]

I was watching a Jimmy Carr interview a few weeks ago (some podcast or other) and he remarked that even the poorest members of western society enjoy a life with conveniences and luxuries that 50 years ago (less than two generations) even the top, top tier of society - Royalty and the like - could only dream of.
It's a sobering thought really. With all their wealth and land and servants, most of the ultra elite throughout history didn't even have a flushing toilet. We take an awful lot for granted, it does make you wonder just how bad the people living on the modern day breadline have it.

As many of them rely on food banks, (choice between eating and heating), I'd say VERY BAD!

[theancientmariner]

As many of them rely on food banks, (choice between eating and heating), I'd say VERY BAD!

Indeed but then how would say those are doing who who don't have a home, those who don't have access to food or running water, those to whom 'heating' would be more layers of dirty clothing, burning rubbish or huddling under dirty blankets. That's in our own country. It gets even worse, if that's possible, overseas.

[trident-7]

It's not what we have but what we do with it that counts

[MartynJC (UK)]

I guess this will degrade into BP territory or definitely G&D rather than watch talk.

But. I’ll make a comment to the OP.

Us on TZ are probably a minority of the population. But we aren’t the richest either. We are indeed fortunate. I think most of us do spend carefully, if not we wouldn’t have spare cash to spend on our expensive trinkets. I was fortunate to have a good salary when working and a good wife who kept me in check on frivolous matters. Both of these meant I could afford to buy some nice time pieces and the TZ forum meant I could try out wearing some belters.

A wirst watch is an acronym these days. I fear soon to go the way of the bowler hat and breifcase (and tie).

[Tom-P]

A wirst watch is an acronym these days. I fear soon to go the way of the bowler hat and breifcase (and tie).

(An anachronism methinks sir.)

[kevkojak]

As many of them rely on food banks, (choice between eating and heating), I'd say VERY BAD!

That's another discussion for another thread. There's a strong, strong argument that grocery prices have been inflated the past couple of years through corporate greed, and energy companies are scalping us to the bone!
There's also an argument that the "heating/eating" thing is a myth and mostly down to poor choices. Last year (2022/23 tax year) I earned on paper less than half the "living wage" and I didn't have any benefits or handouts, or use food banks. I did sell off some of my unnecessary 'things' to make ends meet in the tighter months I suppose, but that's something anybody can do. I feel comfortable making this argument because I've lived it, I survived the closing of my business and a separation while living on a few hundred quid a month.
So no, not "very bad". The ones using food banks still have a telly and a bed and hot running water. They might be the lower end of the socio-economic ladder in the UK but they'll still be in the top 20% of the world in terms of comfort and luxury.

[gregory]

We are indeed fortunate and blessed.

I’ve paid £130 this week for straps alone, and further amounts for watch boxes.

For new additions.

Don’t get me wrong, outgoing pieces have seen me up on the deals. More money in from a cull that went out. But still: blessed.

Great thread.

Have a great weekend all.

G

[Griswold]

That's another discussion for another thread. There's a strong, strong argument that grocery prices have been inflated the past couple of years through corporate greed, and energy companies are scalping us to the bone!
There's also an argument that the "heating/eating" thing is a myth and mostly down to poor choices. Last year (2022/23 tax year) I earned on paper less than half the "living wage" and I didn't have any benefits or handouts, or use food banks. I did sell off some of my unnecessary 'things' to make ends meet in the tighter months I suppose, but that's something anybody can do. I feel comfortable making this argument because I've lived it, I survived the closing of my business and a separation while living on a few hundred quid a month.
So no, not "very bad". The ones using food banks still have a telly and a bed and hot running water. They might be the lower end of the socio-economic ladder in the UK but they'll still be in the top 20% of the world in terms of comfort and luxury.

All of them? You know this for certain, how?

[Saint-Just]

They might be the lower end of the socio-economic ladder in the UK but they'll still be in the top 20% of the world in terms of comfort and luxury.

Being in the top 20% of the world when those around you are in the top 4 or 5% will make you feel poorer than to have average comfort and luxuries in a much poorer society.