Coins and change
Plain and rich
It was an early Saturday morning. I was at a gas station having my motorcycle fueled up. There was a slight commotion between a customer and a crew.
Before attending to me, the crew shared, “Kulang daw ng 67 cents yung sukli nya (referring to the customer). Iba talaga ang mayayaman Sir. Bilang lagi yung pera.”
At first, I thought, if that was me, that would have been fine. 67 cents isn’t that big a deal. So naturally, I quickly judged the customer. His car’s not even that good, I told myself.
Then I realized three things.
First, if that’s the way he is, why would I care. We have our way of living and differing opinions. If someone’s actions do not conform with my beliefs, I should not have any problems with that and mind my own business. As they say, to each his own.
Second, I am conscious of my money too. I monitor my every financial transaction like a madman businessman. DOWN TO THE LAST CENT. I’ve had this habit for quite some time now. I believe that what gets measured gets improved. Every penny counts. That being said, I would have still let that 67 cents go.
Lastly, the rich live simply. It isn’t recency bias. But I’ve known or met rich people who just don’t care. Like they’re in some sort of a club with plain white shirt, shorts/pants, and slippers as their uniform. It served as a reminder that showing off achieves nothing. I’d rather be rich in my pajamas driving a sedan than be broke in branded clothes boasting an SUV.