One of the most annoying things a friend can do during a rough economy is talk about how much money they make.
My former college roommate continuously talks about how much money he makes working at a big time law firm.
A few weeks ago myself and three other friend were out drinking. After a few drinks, the topic of jobs and economy came up.
I never like bringing the topic of jobs around any of my friends because two of them are unemployed right now, and the 3rd one gets “trigger-happy” and goes off about his job.
During our discussion my former roommate, Sam, did go off, and decided to talk about all the thing he’s planning with his girlfriend, since he has a high paying salary.
The other two were really annoyed and stayed quiet during most of the conversation.
When they went out for a smoke (probably because they were tired of hearing about Sam’s job), I told asked him if he wouldn’t bring up his job anymore.
“I have a job too man, but you don’t see me rubbing it in. I’m sure they’re already feeling like shit for not having any work”
Sam’s reply really surprised me: “Well that’s their fault, they chose to do shitty majors in college and aren’t looking hard enough for anything. I’m not going to stop talking about it. If anything, this might motivate them to do something about it.”
I didn’t want to make any excuses for my friends but the economy is really bad and finding a job is hard. I know they’ve looked for jobs but when no one is hiring, it’s tough to find anything decent.
The rest of the night, we drank and talked about other things, but it really irked me that Sam would actually go out of his way to let people know he has a good job and gets paid more than I do.
Is it rude to bring up pay checks considering the economy is so bad, or does he actually have a point, bringing it up might inspire them to look harder for a job?
dollarish.com
Mr. Savings
Comments (18)
I think that's pretty rude of him to gloat in front of your unemployed friends, especially since he took a swipe at them for picking "the wrong majors". There's nothing wrong in bringing up the topic since it's such a big thing now. He could have just been a bit more respectful of the situation.
I think it is always rude to brag about how much money you are making. I dont think it is rude to talk about the economy and job situations in general, though. Talking about it may reveal some opportunities the jobless didnt know about. Therefore, I would even argue that it is a good thing!
I don't really think Sam is making it a point to rub in that he has a better job and salary. I think Sam is just an asshole who is narcisstic (spelling?) You know, one of those people. Anytime you have done something, they have done something crazier. You make good money, but he makes better. Your girlfriend is hot, so he is hitting on her. Assholes
@Roadlesstaken@xanga - Agreed, there's nothing wrong with talking about it as a conversation, but to rub his wealth in his friends faces is downright rude and disrespectful.
@ShimmerEnShyne@xanga - LOL oh god I hate those people...You can't say ANYTHING without "oh yeah! well i did this, and that and this.." blah blah blah blah blah blah blahh. Dont care! thanks. =P
totally rude... i mean its understandable that u wanna be able to share ur fortunes and wanna flaunt it.. but theres a time and place and HOW u do it...
the only thing that pissed me off about this situation was the fact that he responded to u the way he did...
is he ignorant????? I wouldve put him in his place then and there.... granted it might not HIS fault that they dont have jobs but i think any smart person who would know about the economy now, back then in college would better prepare themselves.... secondly its just the FACT that these are misfortunes ppl are going through WORLD WIDE.... its very insensitive for him to rub into ppl's faces about his "great" career... and to use such an immature excuse of how ppl choose majors and them not finding work hard enuff...are u kidding me??? yesterday alone an additional 98,000 jobs were cut...
ur friend needs a reality check...
sorry im not mad at u.. im mad at ur friends remarks lolol... im a full time college student and working multiple jobs.. my mom got laid off last summer and I'm here busting my ass off to take care of myself... and to send money back home for my mom and brother...
and trust me.. MY MOTHER ISSSS lookin for jobs... its just THAT hard right now....
definitely rude...unless he has info on a place with a good job for hire
I'd call it insensitive.
The economy doesn't have to be bad to know you shouldn't brag about yourself, money or not -- period. Your friend has some sort of overfilled sense of self-esteem and success in his life. People who brag often have other shortcomings in their lives (as I know personally from my uncle being a braggart and his current state of life).
My boyfriend is unemployed, and so are a couple of our friends. One quits her job and resumes it whenever she wants because her family pays for everything for her; she is spoiled rotten. My boyfriend doesn't have that luxury.. he often feels inadequate around our friends, even around me (I work full time). And especially if he goes out and denies having anything to drink or eat because of his lack of funds, and then our friends making LOTS of money put him down for it, instead of just buying him a freaking drink... jerks.
sam is a douche bag. i wouldn't hang out with inconsiderate and self fish people. they ruin the fun moments for everyone and only care about themselves.
its one thing to talk about the economy/jobs but its another thing to gloat about money.
I agree with amyxjaded and haloed...that guy is an asshole for rubbing it in. It's just inappropriate and insensitive, not to mention unnecessary. it's like rubbing salt on someone's wound, no?
Any person to bring up how much money they make and only talk about themselves are just a bunch of greedy douchebag bastards. I usually don't talk about jobs and the economy around those who are unemployed, or even those who are. I work a slightly-higher-than-minimum-wage job, go to art school (which demands alot of money to buy supplies) and live out on my own so I have to buy my own groceries. Even though my parents are paying for my rent and tuition, I do as much as I can to help them out (in this case, not having them put money into my account).
Your friend Sam needs a class in sensitivity. Sooner or later, karma might strike him and he would be out of a job. I'm an asshole, I know, for saying that. But at least I don't rub my ego in people's faces like Sam.
First of all, it IS rude to rub it in the face of people who are unemployed, not because they were fired, but as a result of the economy. This doesn't mean your friend isn't allowed to do it, though, it just shows you what kind of person he is. Secondly, his justification for why he believes it's okay and his theory that their unemployment is somehow their own fault is a pretty ridiculous one. It doesn't matter what background someone comes from because every industry imaginable has more or less taken a hit, and people of all professions are being affected. I just hope your "friend" has enough sense in him to realize this before he eventually loses his job as well.
@haloed@xanga - I totally get where you're coming from. I sometimes find it hard to enjoy myself when my friends choose to go out and have a fun night that requires lots of money. I'm currently unemployed, and spend less than my friends do, so as a result, they choose to taunt me. Here's the thing: one of my friends is dating a wealthy guy and he pays for every one of her meals and drinks. Without him, she'd be penny pinching by now. My other friend is a spendthrift and chooses to live an extravagant lifestyle...on loans. She's also unemployed and is running up the credit card bill. Even though my saving up money might look low-class to them, at least I'm the only sensible one.
I think you guys deserve better friends than this Sam. Friends are supposed to be supportive and never look down on each other. People have ups and downs, and the reality is no one can say for sure they will always stayed being employed when the economy is so bad. If Sam thinks it's so easy to find a job, I would love to see him quit his job and search for another one, see if it's that easy.
Definitely a REALLY insensitive move.
Shit like that is so uncalled for. You can be the smartest guy in the world and not be making a ton of money. Being less fortunate in the time of an economic crisis doesn't mean you "picked the wrong college major." Seriously, that's so rude!
Your friend just seems like a jerk. Of course it is annoying for someone to brag and it is even worse when someone is rubbing it in fresh wounds. But your friend took it to a whole new level when he blamed their being unemployed on choosing the wrong major.
I don't see a problem with talking about it, just as long as he doesn't rub it in their faces. There is no reason to constantly talk about it and try to make them feel bad. Just because they don't have jobs doesn't mean they haven't been trying. He should give them a freaking break.