Wednesday, January 16, 2008

And so we want to be REAL

We are fakes all this while. Our livelihoods have all been subsidized. Rice, electricity, water, medical, education and fuel. The fake rich, are we really?

Let me see. This house: 3 young kids, 1 amah, and us two. Oh no, this amah is leaving next month; in her place, another helper and a driver coming in.

Three cars; one is mine - a good-brand; 2 of his - 1 high-branded and 1 - generic. Oh, I forgot, we just bought another 1 two days ago, got the number we like (NOT tendered at all), out tomorrow maybe. Not a luxury brand, it's Korean. Safe and spacious for our growing family.

Then we've just told our pool constructor to re-do the plan, "splash pool for the kids, on top of the lap pool." Then the landscaping and the bla bla bla.

Furnitures in the house: one or two da vincis, scan teak woods, pine woods, lorenzos, etc.

Electrical goods: large screen TVs, (non-alcoholic) wine chiller, kitchen items all Kenwoods. PS2, WII, yah, we've got them.

Now you think I'm showing off? Bl**dy 'ell. I'm not. You are missing my point.

You think we're trying to copycat the lives of those hollywoodians? Gosh, you don't know nothing. Crap analysis, you did.

Let me put this to you. At least one. Some of us are into 'VALUE', but you mistaken it for 'LUXURY.' But if it's luxury, why not? Why can't we enjoy them? We've work hard all our lives and a little luxury is alright.

And you say, we should be tight with money. For what? We're not bringing them into our graves. Ahh, for our kids? Come on lah! I thought you are the one who says our kids are spoilt, we should change the new generations' mindset. They should not be spoon fed. ya di yadi yaa.

Yes, we have kept some for the kids' education. We're keeping some for when we become empty-nesters. But that's it. To pass it to their next generation, I'm sorry, the kids have to do that themselves. We both agree. If we had work hard to give them some luxuries today, and perhaps spoilt them along the way. They got to get it in their heads that to keep up living this way, they need to work hard, may be harder than us. We are giving them the education now they require to achieve that in the future. Our parents gave us education only. So, tough.

Sounds selfish? I think a little less selfish and hypocritical than some of you supporting the idea of abrupt petrol price hike. Take away the luxury you get; in-service training schemes, government paid domestic helpers, whatever extra allowances you got, and claiming every little cents when you can claim, I'm sorry you are the FAKE one. You are the true myopic.

Wake up. You think we Bruneians live in LUXURY. Go get a pair of binoculars. Drive along the road, and open your eyes wide. Tell me what you see. So, please lah. Get REAL.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree with you wholeheartedly. We have worked hard for our monies and we deserve our luxuries. As for the kids - when they grow up -- they will and are capable to create their own wealth. Have faith in our kids because i am sure we have instilled the right values in them. What is this about the dependency culture??? Stop spoon feeding them. Let them explore their potential and be independent. (Believe in them). These traits mentioned will make them better and stronger persons and citizen. Isn't that good for nation building?? We want our young to be resourceful, creative, independent and savvy. I say...down with spoon feeding!!
Of course, we need to educate our children not to be over-dependent on parents and the government. We don't want to breed over-dependent individuals -- they will be spoilt, wilh screwed mindset and attitudes. I say, let the kids learn to stand on their two feet. It will do them a world of good and they will appreciate and respect the oldies as persons in their own rights -- not merely as parents a.k.a dispenser of monies and stuff!!!

Anonymous said...

I am happy to hear there are sound-minded ppl out there. Thanks for this winx dear. And staar, yes you are right too. I used to buy the 'necessities' for myself when I started to earn my living, until at one stage I realised that there were actually luxuries, you guessed it, branded handbags, shoes, clothes, cars... But then I said, I deserve them because I worked darn hard for them. I never felt like showing them off, owning those branded goods, because all the time, the self-satisfaction was there. I felt good. And now, I have toned down (maybe I am getting older and hopefully, wiser - ahak!) so feeling grateful to God that He let me have all the good ones in life and I am now working myself so that I would also lead a good one in the afterlife, amin. Great stuff winx. Love your blog, love your ideas and thinking too...All the best.

Winx @ Silver FairyAngel said...

In my rush just now, I think I ter-delete one comment.

Dear commentor, sorry that I ter-delete your comment. If you don't mind, you can post it again.

Iatah ni akibat MIB.

Anonymous said...

If you can afford it why not...but if half of what you buy is paid through credit facilities, then i should think thats a whole different story. Nevertheless as you said luxury items can be 'price for value' but in most instances Bruneians tend to indulge in one too many. But yes i do agree that if you've paid for all the basic nesseceties, saved a percentage for a rainy day and still have a good amount left over then why not splurge. you only get to live once afterall. The key is prioritising, something we bruneians tend to oversee

Katie-Ella said...

Hello, just stumbled onto your blog.I agree that you have the right to spend your money any way you wish. The problem is with people who have unsustainable debt or who haven't allowed for the rainy days.