Prosperity Changes People

Published by

Clarissa

November 26, 2011

I used to have an older buddy in college who was even more permanently skint than I was. I remember how he went on a MacDonald’s diet (meaning he only ate at MacDonald’s for three months) to save money. Of course, he ended up in a hospital as a result.

Oh, I remember those times when we thought ordering a complex mocha drink and a piece of cake was the height of luxury.

Today, my buddy is a tenured prof with a very comfortable lifestyle.

He wrote to me today, saying: “I’m spending this year in France, so if you find yourself in Paris, do come by my place.”

Yes, if I happen to pass by Paris on my jaunts around the world, I’ll definitely pop by his house.

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10 responses to “Prosperity Changes People”

Ashley Pariseau

November 26, 2011

Blah I couldn’t eat McDonald’s that much.

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1. bloggerclarissa
  
  November 26, 2011
  
  Nobody should! He got really sick as a result. He had a perforated ulcer.
  
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Camels With Hammers

November 26, 2011

That’s hilarious.

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B. Hrebec

November 27, 2011

People like this confuse me tremendously, especially the ones who actively despise and ignore people who are just like they were before their successful career. I guess it’s a willfully short memory thing? Or some sort of ingrained self-hate?

Also: Not only is it horrible for you, eating at McDonald’s isn’t cheap at all! Try, I dunno, rice and beans, with fresh vegetables as you can afford them. Very inexpensive, and better for you to boot. (/angry financial advice for single people who never seem to have money and don’t know why…)

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Ol.

November 27, 2011

$$$, sabbaticals, and few students. Welcome to a Canadian university perhaps?

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1. bloggerclarissa
  
  November 27, 2011
  
  Ha ha ha! Exactly!!! My buddy works for a Canadian university.
  
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  1. nominatissima
    
    November 27, 2011
    
    That makes me hope that I get a job at a Canadian university, that sounds awesome!
    Unfortunately I also went through a fast-food phase, not only because I didn’t have much money, but because my kitchen equipment was basically non-functional, so I couldn’t have made a hot meal even if I could afford the ingredients.
    I’m glad my new place has all the fancy new kitchen appliances I need to make a decent meal, I don’t ever wish to see another Dollar menu item again.
    
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Anonymous

November 27, 2011

I don’t understand: why would an offer of hospitality, albeit one that you are unlikely to take up, mean that he has changed?

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1. bloggerclarissa
  
  November 27, 2011
  
  Because 13 years ago when we first met, he and I used to make tons of fun of people who’d say such things and assume that everybody is in the same easy, world-hopping circumstances as they are.
  
  In grad school, my ultra-rich classmates kept asking me, “Oh, you are not going traveling in Europe this summer? Why? Don’t you like traveling?”
  
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Oldies But Goodies | Clarissa's Blog

December 13, 2012

[…] Prosperity changes people. And not necessarily for the better. […]

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