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I was watching a show on TV Sunday about the new wealthy who have made it big (generally through a lot of risk and hard work and in some cases many years). They have time share planes, yachts that cost $5,000 a month docking fees, several homes they rarely visit (one guy forgot where they were when asked), etc., etc. On the other hand they give tens of millions to charity and leave their money not to their kids, but to other causes. We could discuss the wealthy for a long time, but the bottom line is I am jealous, but they earned it and so be it, I would not have it any other way and good luck to every American who strives for that goal. I hope they are happy too.

However, that is nothing compared to some parts of the Middle East. Take the United Arab Emirates where they have run out of things to add to their conspicuous consumption so they have turned to license plates.

An article in the paper today tells of a man who paid $14 million for a plate that simply read “1 and his cousin paid $9 million for “5. I guess I could get “3477 for about a years pay if I really tried. So while Americans delight in putting messages on their cars with missing letters so they can stick to the size limits, in other parts of the world it is clearly less for more.

Remember that the next time you fill up your tank in your vehicle with the plate that reads “Fluffy.

Conspicuous Consumption-oh, how I remember that word from Economics class. It is hard to imagine wasting that much money for a license plate. So much good could have came from spending the money elsewhere.

chonsigirl;904290 wrote: Conspicuous Consumption-oh, how I remember that word from Economics class. It is hard to imagine wasting that much money for a license plate. So much good could have came from spending the money elsewhere.


How much gas can you put in your car for $14 million?

And how many hungry people could you feed?

What do many people spend their extra money on? Conspicuous Consumption is getting smaller for the average person.

My response would be. If the arabs are throwing their money away like that, then work out what it is these idiots like to buy, make some, and sell it to them, get some of that money back that is being wasted buying their oil from them.

Fouteen Million dollars for a liscence plate? That guy seriously needs the peasants to guillotine his ass. Still, I bet the people that sold him the plate are not complaining. What a gobshite.



I have to say, that when I see these endless aspirational shows that basically involve rich people showing off to poorer people all the rubbish stuff they own and how cool they are, I am reminded of the Europe of the 17th and 18th century. Soon they will be living in castles and having the hoi poloi carrying them around in litters, the fashion police will of course praise their edgy coolness, and hip sophistication. At least the old aristos had some sense of taste.

What's really sad is that all this crap is being directed at the young and impressionable, as if this sort of vacuous life where all that matters are the rims on your bentley are what is the "bottom line". Money is not an end in itself, its a means to an end. But you can't buy taste and class of course, and how obvious that is nowadays.

OK Dr. G any ideas lets get busy there has to be something else they need that is useless and we can sell for millions. :wah: Of course if our GAS cost what their's cost 10Cents a gallon we would be rich, not millionairs but rich. Some how I know they are enjoying sticking it to us with GAS prices. :-5

[QUOTE]My response would be. If the arabs are throwing their money away like that, then work out what it is these idiots like to buy, make some, and sell it to them, get some of that money back that is being wasted buying their oil from them.

Fouteen Million dollars for a liscence plate? That guy seriously needs the peasants to guillotine his ass. Still, I bet the people that sold him the plate are not complaining. What a gobshite.



I have to say, that when I see these endless aspirational shows that basically involve rich people showing off to poorer people all the rubbish stuff they own and how cool they are, I am reminded of the Europe of the 17th and 18th century. Soon they will be living in castles and having the hoi poloi carrying them around in litters, the fashion police will of course praise their edgy coolness, and hip sophistication. At least the old aristos had some sense of taste.

What's really sad is that all this crap is being directed at the young and impressionable, as if this sort of vacuous life where all that matters are the rims on your bentley are what is the "bottom line". Money is not an end in itself, its a means to an end. But you can't buy taste and class of course, and how obvious that is nowadays. [/QUOTE]

rjwould;904506 wrote: jealous of what?


I wouldn't mind a few of their toys or the ability to get in my plane and fly to the south of France. Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share that I too worked for for many years, but it is nice to dream just a little.

In the non-economic area I am enormously wealthy and for that I am very greatful and that is all that really matters.

Ah, but money won't buy you health, or loved ones around you. You could do much good with it, and help those in need. But a smile on a family member's face means more than all the moola in the world.