when I saw a new sport BMW. The person stepped out of the elegant, high-end luxury car, which exuded an unmistakable luxury. Dressed in a casual suit that radiated sophistication, he wore sunglasses that covered his eyes and exuded mystery. Despite his young age, he exuded confidence, leaving no doubt that he considered himself an important man. Next to him stood his girlfriend, wearing a similar, obviously high-quality dress, who was impatiently pacing in one place, waiting for the two-minute ordeal to end.
As he was filling the tank, his presence attracted attention and he elicited furtive glances from onlookers. An aura of well-being seemed to surround him, like an energy that hinted at his privileged lifestyle. The sound of the pump came alive, filling the air with the smell of fuel as the tank began to fill. When the task was done, he replaced the nozzle back in its cradle with practiced ease.
With each step he took, the sound of his expensive shoes on the pavement echoed, emphasizing his attraction to a higher quality of life.
With a subtle nod at the cashier, she pulled out her wallet – a high-end accessory in itself – and effortlessly produced a debit card bearing the prestigious Mastercard logo. The transaction was quick, almost a formality for someone used to such transactions.
I, meanwhile, took a mineral water from the fridge, but changed my mind and took a cheaper one instead. Behind his sunglasses, his gaze scanned the room, his posture radiating satisfaction.
He nodded once more to the attendant and then went back to his luxury car, the eight-cylinder sound of the engine revving as he prepared for the journey. So the ordinary surroundings of the petrol station were transformed for a moment by his presence, a living embodiment of luxury that left envious glances in its wake.
The message of the story for me is that one should not be conceited if one is rich. It’s only because of money, but without money you’re nobody. If one can achieve being somebody without money, however, that is respectable. Think of the famous painters and writers who grew up poor and are remembered by the world to this day. Van Gogh, Hemingway, Attila Jozsef, Virginia Woolf, Kafka. Money distorts people’s personalities in my opinion.
Not to mention celebrities and influencers, I don’t think they have anything to boast about, except of course the talented actors and actresses I listed.
If someone is rich, they may not deserve that money. What deserves money is someone who does real and productive, value-creating work. And the majority of people who deserve it are not rich.
Money may make you somebody but without money you’re nobody. But if you can achieve to be somebody without money, that is respectable. Think of the famous painters and writers who grew up poor and are remembered by the world to this day. Van Gogh, Hemingway, Attila Jozsef, Virginia Woolf, Kafka. Money distorts people’s personalities in my opinion.
If someone is rich, they may not deserve that money. What deserves money is someone who does real and productive, value-creating work. And the majority of people who deserve it are not rich.
I don’t deserve anything either (I don’t have anything anyway) because I haven’t put anything on the table – I’m just saying these things in general.