'First world problems'

[swee'pea99]

First world problem is longhand for a sneer isn't it. I dislike the phrase as it trivialises others issues in a lazy offhand way. It's of no consequence to me if it's accurate or not, I immediately feel the need to take against those who use it.

What's wrong with a good sneer I'd like to know. You probably go around being nice to people and polite and considerate all day. Where's the fun in that?

 

[Nigeyy]

I also agree -and I have a feeling it won't get any easier either. I also fear for my kids and strongly suspect they'll have it harder than I have. However, if you're struggling financially, it would seem to make sense that you don't go for an iphone (when there are cheaper alternatives offering similar functionality) or a leased car (buy a used one on a loan, or if you don't need it, don't have one), nor live in an expensive area unless it's absolutely necessary for you. Of course I don't know the full picture, but from the brief description, it doesn't sound like they've made some good choices -compounded by the fact they didn't add "I made a bad choice for my means..." or "I can save some money by giving up my phone/car/location etc". There seems to be a lack of self realization here and a disconnect (mind you, it could be all this stuff was edited out, admittedly!).

Of course, it's easy to write off this young person as just another feckless youth, but economic reality is rather different for young people today than it was when I was starting out. The situation regarding rents, job security, pensions and student debt has degraded significantly over the last twenty years.

 

[Markymark]

What's wrong with a good sneer I'd like to know. You probably go around being nice to people and polite and considerate all day. Where's the fun in that?

...does he feck.

 

[T4tomo]

Carlisle's not that bad.

Have you been to Carlisle?

 

[midlife]

I'm sat here in Carlisle as I type...........................

Shaun

 

[jonny jeez]

The coffee shop close to my office has stopped taking proximity payments.

I am managing to cope but the stress of having to fight my card from my wallet is playing havoc with Ipane 7se attention.

 

[mustang1]

Thread title reminds me of this sob story, from the weekend Guardian:

View attachment 117794
Well, I for one have coped by not getting an iPhone (because my ebay HTC Sensation does the same job for a tiny fraction of the cost) or a leased car, because buying a second hand one is so much cheaper. Perhaps you could try not being such an entitlement numpty?

1. Doesn't do same job. (No iTunes integration for example, I know you may think who wants that pile of crap).
2. Cheaper for a reason. Reminds me of a car I bought, brand new. My uncle bought the "same" car, used. Mine had 4 doors, zero miles, air conditioning. His had fewer doors, accident damage, higher miles. He claimed it was the same car but the only thing same was the colour.

Buuuuut, I'm being pedantic, and totally see your point.

 

[mustang1]

I love the "..I'm already taking sandwiches to work..." bit. I might be wrong but this really sounds like a kid who has had a lot of things provided for them, and they just assumed that living where they want, having a car and a nice phone was easy and expected. Yep, they cost money and someone has to pay for it somewhere! (and if it's now you, you budget accordingly and work out where you can afford to live, that's how other people cope). Assuming this person went to uni (and it might be likely given they are "24, new to living and working in London"), it's interesting that there is no mention of student debt either.

Good point!

I used an iPhone years ago and really liked the way it done things. I moved to a cheaper phone since then and dislike certain inadequacies but learned to live with it.

 

[mustang1]

My first world problem is that some of these emerging market countries are getting expensive to holiday in. Who do they think they are?

 

[Racing roadkill]

My first world problem is that some of these emerging market countries are getting expensive to holiday in. Who do they think they are?

Quite, I used to like holidays in Taiwan, but the price of Tian Bu La has gone through the roof of late, Don't even mention the bubble tea cost now.

 

[Fnaar]

Had the chimney sweep round earlier, and he wasn't all cheery and covered in soot. Neither did he sing "chim-chimminy", or bring a Victorian waif to clamber up the flue.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Had the chimney sweep round earlier, and he wasn't all cheery and covered in soot. Neither did he sing "chim-chimminy", or bring a Victorian waif to clamber up the flue.

You should have had him put in stocks, then invited some peasants to lob rotten fruit at him.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Had the chimney sweep round earlier, and he wasn't all cheery and covered in soot. Neither did he sing "chim-chimminy", or bring a Victorian waif to clamber up the flue.

We have a lady sweep around our way.......if her mind is as dirty as her job..

 

[User482]

Oh absolutely - I couldn't agree more. I fear for my offspring. But it doesn't change the fact that after 30 years of reasonably well paid work, I have never had a car as new as 'a leased car', nor have I ever had - nor would I ever have - an iPhone. I can't afford it/them, so I go without it/them. I don't get coffees from Starbucks either, and I hardly ever eat out/takeaways/deliveries. I shop carefully, and cook. I eat well - but cheaply.

What gets me is the boo hoo woe is me dirge from someone who just assumes an entitlement to things I've always ruled out as being too costly and/or not worth the money. As one of the respondents in the Guardian put it: 'You're a grown up now. Stop whingeing and live within your means.'

I've re-read the article and I'm not sure why you think it displays entitlement - the author is asking for advice. I would agree that an iphone might be an extravagance for someone on a tight budget, but I know that I wasn't particularly good at budgeting age 24, and also that my circumstances (cheaper living costs, less debt, better job security) were rather different.

 

[swee'pea99]

I've re-read the article and I'm not sure why you think it displays entitlement - the author is asking for advice. I would agree that an iphone might be an extravagance for someone on a tight budget, but I know that I wasn't particularly good at budgeting age 24, and also that my circumstances (cheaper living costs, less debt, better job security) were rather different.

As a whiney 24 year old might say, wha'ever.