give me credit, or give me uncoolness
so, i decided to enroll in a gym. i was ready and willing to shell out the rather pricey monthly dues so as to have "endurance and flexibility and achieve over all weight lose". unfortunately, in order to enroll, i needed a credit card. if i didn't have one, they said i could borrow one from a friend and pay the gym monthly in cash so as not to have it charged to my friend's card.
there are a couple of things i've always planned on not having/doing in my lifetime:
- smoke
- be codependent
- be impregnated by a stranger
- get a credit card
it is unfortunate that a credit card nowadays is no longer optional. well, it is but it's no longer normal for a 22 year old, working individual who enjoys her consumerist lifestyle to not have a credit card. i thought a debit card would suffice, heck, i'm even getting a express cash card just so i can balance having control of my money and flashing a card when i buy stuff, which always looked totally cool.
sadly, this is not enough. business establishments really need you to pay for things you cannot afford even if it means using someone else's money. it isn't just with this gym. when i want to buy stuff online too. i mean, i get that it's for security purposes, but it still doesn't deny the reality that we've built a totally new economic structure based on exchanging money that is yet to be earned. i love the idea of convenience, but i hate the idea that i need to commit something i don't even have yet for the convenience. i seriously believe that's what the story rapunzel was about. it wasn't about some chick with pretty long hair on top of a tower. it was about promising your unborn child to an evil witch for a couple heads of cabbage is bound to short change you.
i don't believe there are strong enough arguments to counter capitalism. everything has an exchange value. to have no value is to reduce an object to nothing. what i don't agree with is the movement of society towards saying "yes, you can still buy that" even if you can't. same with this gym. "yes, you can have a one year membership, but we expect you to buy with credit because you obviously cannot consistently pay your monthly dues. plus, cash is so totally uncool."
it just sucks that i am in the aspirational segment of society. i want a freaking gym membership! the place is bitchin' and the people are hot. it's uber near my office too. i believe it is my only hope to become healthy and consequently, to be loved and admired. crap.
and yes, i know i am a special little girl. people love me for me, and i can always use the gym equipment at home. but crap still. huhuhu.
there are a couple of things i've always planned on not having/doing in my lifetime:
- smoke
- be codependent
- be impregnated by a stranger
- get a credit card
it is unfortunate that a credit card nowadays is no longer optional. well, it is but it's no longer normal for a 22 year old, working individual who enjoys her consumerist lifestyle to not have a credit card. i thought a debit card would suffice, heck, i'm even getting a express cash card just so i can balance having control of my money and flashing a card when i buy stuff, which always looked totally cool.
sadly, this is not enough. business establishments really need you to pay for things you cannot afford even if it means using someone else's money. it isn't just with this gym. when i want to buy stuff online too. i mean, i get that it's for security purposes, but it still doesn't deny the reality that we've built a totally new economic structure based on exchanging money that is yet to be earned. i love the idea of convenience, but i hate the idea that i need to commit something i don't even have yet for the convenience. i seriously believe that's what the story rapunzel was about. it wasn't about some chick with pretty long hair on top of a tower. it was about promising your unborn child to an evil witch for a couple heads of cabbage is bound to short change you.
i don't believe there are strong enough arguments to counter capitalism. everything has an exchange value. to have no value is to reduce an object to nothing. what i don't agree with is the movement of society towards saying "yes, you can still buy that" even if you can't. same with this gym. "yes, you can have a one year membership, but we expect you to buy with credit because you obviously cannot consistently pay your monthly dues. plus, cash is so totally uncool."
it just sucks that i am in the aspirational segment of society. i want a freaking gym membership! the place is bitchin' and the people are hot. it's uber near my office too. i believe it is my only hope to become healthy and consequently, to be loved and admired. crap.
and yes, i know i am a special little girl. people love me for me, and i can always use the gym equipment at home. but crap still. huhuhu.