Examining my privilege

[scarlettina]

I don't typically think of myself as "rich." Comparatively speaking, financially, I'd say I'm comfortably middle class, if such a thing still exists in these United States. Every now and then--such as my trips to Kenya or Europe--I am reminded that my self-perception isn't wholly accurate in the context of the larger world, that I have resources

Comments

[herself_nyc]

My first thought when reading this was to be impressed that you make conversation with the manicurists! I never do. I just say hello, how are you, and please and thank you, and that's it. (No one else seems to either, maybe it's a NYC thing.)

So I applaud you making conversation, and I suspect that if you don't sound braggy, you're not going to come across as such.

Re: the cat sitter, yeah, I cringed with you there.

And maybe you should make an arrangement with your vet when you do travel that if there's an emergency the sitter can bring the cat in and they'll bill your credit card?

[mevennen]

Bill the card or invoice you, if they'll do that. We have been in a position of being property-rich but cash-poor. Sometimes it has been hard to lay out £10 for petrol: it does make you very conscious when having conversations with people. I just assume that everyone's skint. In the UK, generally, these days everyone is, relative to the culture (i.e. compared to Angola, we are wealthy beyond compare).

[scarlettina]

As I said to herself_nyc above, I've been skittish about giving my card number out since my identity theft. On the other hand, I've done business with my vet for 15+ years. It's probably not a bad idea not to work with them on this.

[joycemocha]

In horse world, the vet frequently bills the owner because it's a barn call. The owner can leave the credit card on file. What frequently surprises me is that even with the barn call fee, horse vet bills are frequently less expensive than in-office small animal vet bills.

Anyway. I would think the vet could set up a billing routine for these circumstances. I've been able to do things like that in the past with small animal vets, and again, with the horse...usually it's a billing because the vet is usually not able to process a credit card at the barn (mobile access issues).

[scarlettina]

I've been skittish about giving my card number out since my identity theft. On the other hand, I've done business with my vet for 15+ years. It's probably not a bad idea not to work with them on this.

[scarlettina]

Re: making conversation with manicurists, at this salon, generally they start the conversation and their English isn't very good. That's why I assume that they're practicing their English. I admit that sometimes it's hard to understand them, but having been in countries where I don't speak the language well, I appreciate the desire to practice, so I try to help. Doesn't cost me anything, and I get beautiful manicures in the meanwhile.