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The cheapness of the wealthy
Sep. 22nd, 2006 02:37 pmSome weeks ago, I did a personal favour for someone at work - a favour that required time and money from me. I was promised lunch sometime.
So, the other day, I asked this person (who makes about 4 - 5 times what I do) if we were still on for lunch.
"Sure, sure, sure!" He said with his faux enthusiasm. "Just pick a date!" Then as he played with his blackberry, "hey, you don't mind if I book you in with one of our producer's, do you? That way I can expense it."
Yes, I was a little put-out that he wouldn't sacrifice his own money to return the favour, but hey ... it would probably mean a better quality meal even if the whole social interaction thing would be nil. So, I said "Sounds fine to me."
As he played with his blackberry some more, he said "Hey, blank-blank is giving a presentation on Tuesday, and they're being served lunch ... how about I book you in?"
So, now the decent meal has transformed into whatever quickly prepared slop the folks in the room will be given. (Usually leftovers from these events make up to our department anyway.) And the interaction? In a room of 20 people, now this guy doesn't have to acknowledge my presence at all!
Gosh, I feel so f**king appreciated.
So, the other day, I asked this person (who makes about 4 - 5 times what I do) if we were still on for lunch.
"Sure, sure, sure!" He said with his faux enthusiasm. "Just pick a date!" Then as he played with his blackberry, "hey, you don't mind if I book you in with one of our producer's, do you? That way I can expense it."
Yes, I was a little put-out that he wouldn't sacrifice his own money to return the favour, but hey ... it would probably mean a better quality meal even if the whole social interaction thing would be nil. So, I said "Sounds fine to me."
As he played with his blackberry some more, he said "Hey, blank-blank is giving a presentation on Tuesday, and they're being served lunch ... how about I book you in?"
So, now the decent meal has transformed into whatever quickly prepared slop the folks in the room will be given. (Usually leftovers from these events make up to our department anyway.) And the interaction? In a room of 20 people, now this guy doesn't have to acknowledge my presence at all!
Gosh, I feel so f**king appreciated.
