An interesting article about the Smiths.
http://therebutforthegraceofgodblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/introducing-smiths.html
Please read.
I thought it was an interesting read this time of year, especially with the new year around the corner. I agree with the blog that we look at other people’s situations through our own glasses of experiences. Often times, those glasses are tainted with not enough information and “the way I do things is right”.
People have different priorities and experiences that drive to the outcome we all see as the end result. We are not privy to every conversation and decision a couple makes.
The Smiths on my street get a new car every 3-6 months. They just got a new Mercedes. Most people would ask why is this family getting a new car every 3-6 months and why high-end cars. I would never…. But the guy works at a car dealership and this is one of the perks.
So as 2007 draws to a close and 2008 is about to start, I am going to try to be less judgmental of people and refrain from gossip.
Let’s be honest, refraining from gossip is hard. For instance, Britt Spears is living paycheck to paycheck and makes over $700k a month. And Paris Hilton’s grandfather just announced that 97% of his net worth (estimated at $2.3 billion) will be going to his foundation and not his heirs. (He mentioned that part of the decision was based on Paris’ behavior.)
Hey, I said I would try … and it’s not 2008 yet.
The Smiths
December 28th, 2007 at 03:26 pm
December 28th, 2007 at 04:04 pm 1198857852
Of course I used to be guilty of this as well. I try to be more aware. My pet peeve is, "*I* would never buy that!!" Well, no one asked you to. LOL. But I am sure I said the same thing many times when I was less wise.
We're the Smiths as we live in a very nice house and have lots of electronic equipment. It is often assumed I make six figures and we paid upwards of $400k for our house. What they don't know is I made $45k when we moved here and that we downgraded in price significantly from our condo in the land of expensive (& we didn't even pay $300k because we bought so long ago). We spend less on electronics than most people do on eating out annually. We buy on discount and have gotten a lot deeply discounted from friends in the industry. The assumptions I hear about us though are crazy. I guess a relative was wagging her tongue behind our backs about our s'posedly insane energy bills - big house. Little does she know we pay less to heat & cool our house in extreme temps than it ever did to heat our condo. HEr bills are higher than ours!!!! LOL. Our house is extremely energy efficient, and all new energy star appliances and such. As far our friends no one seems to put 2 & 2 together than we drive very old cars and thus we have a lot more money for the things more important to us. (Well they assume we spend tons on repairs. But we don't).
December 28th, 2007 at 06:56 pm 1198868213
A more difficult phenomenon, in my opinion, is when the tables are turned. Some detractors have NO problems letting you know that they don't think you are doing it right. Agree or disagree, there is no doubt that you are the Smith to them. We are all Smiths in our own way, but how we react to our detractors, I think, is the most difficult part in all this.
I try my best not to let detractors bother me, and at the same time, to openly examine their criticisms to see it holds merit. But, that's not an easy thing to do. I am only human.