Luxury? You want it? Work for it!

Don’t expect luxury if you’re not prepared to work. I hear all these people throw the word around like a ball and yet they don’t know what it means. They expect someone to come along and give it to them. Who? Their parents? They themselves had to work for it. Some were given vast acres of land and developed it – but most worked hard. Now that the kids grew up in mild laps of luxury (we’re not talking about St. Tropez here, more like a summer house in Protaras) they expect it to continue. Somehow these people still expect money to flow into their wallet. Where from? The banks are bust. The parentals only have X amount. Is someone going to grow €100 bills on trees?

Ultimately now with the recession (which was brought on by bankers’ greed for luxury) it is a luxury to still have a job!

Germany is right...

Was ist das? Screamed the Germans when they heard of Britain’s idea to cut VAT rates. The German finance minister, Peer Steinbrück) criticised Britain’s plans to cut the VAT rate which would mean a whole generation would pay off and added as a remark would you buy a DVD player if it was lowered by less than a pound during the recession. No. So the VAT cut does not help anyone. And now everyone has turned against Germany demanding that they contribute some of their (hard earned) cash (may I add) to the recession because they were not conservative with their spending.

Why should Germany help? It’s Germany’s money and they should keep it. Maybe I’m being insensitive because in Cyprus the recession has not been that bad compared to other countries. However, I don’t see why Angela Merkel should sign away her country’s money to other EU states because they are going bankrupt. France has been pressuring Germany to cough up with Sarkozy saying that while France works, Germany thinks. I love the French but please don’t tell me that they work when they take days off like it’s going out of style and when they have the most national holidays! What? Now France decides to work. Merkel must b doing something right saying no to Europe as she still retains something ridiculous like 95% ratings in her party polls.

America has practically been printing money to save well… everything… Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the banks, the motor industry… and it has got them nowhere – so how will adding on more billions to the package help Europe? And why should Germany do it?

To rub the Europeans up further, not only are Germans happy to have Merkel reject the EU’s demand for more cash but they are not going to cut back on their Christmas shopping as… they don’t have to. Their economy is still robust, so why should they? Of course there are political reasons too – Germany goes to the polls in September, and no one will change tax rates before Christmas… but still… this time (as it usually is when it comes to money) Deutschland hat rechts.*

*And I hope my German grammar is right too!

Gold Diggers / Sugar Daddies

‘Greek men are not like red wine’ said the gold-digger from Athens ‘they do not age well. But desire for money… that ripens with age perfectly… perfect enough to commit the perfect marriage.’

Yesterday's post states that money is not everything – but it is a tool for survival and a comfortable life. In this post I want to ask how money buys us things: namely people. People say that love is blind – but is it blind to a big bank account and a trust fund, especially during these times of recession? I once went on a date with this girl. ‘What car do you drive?’ she asked me. I told her. ‘My mother drives a Porsche.’ She is either a) dumb b) wants me to know what I am competing against with her mother or c) both a and b. Don’t you think that money makes a man more attractive? Not only to women but to men. You’ll probably disagree with me (on ethical grounds) but think about it; money buys you things – especially people, their affection and their trust. Women are attracted to men because they see a rich powerful man who will provide for them and men like rich men to do business with (I don’t mean that kind of business). My point is that people are attracted to rich people; money opens doors, buys style, gets you that reservation at Nobu or the Bowery Bar and of course the reputation/admiration/envy that you desire and think you deserve. Even you – wouldn’t you rather go out with someone who has money rather than someone who is broke and always says ‘that’s too expensive’ and would rather rent a DVD (where you split the €2.50 charge) instead of going to a movie. I’m sure you’ll agree that going out with a man who has money will make it ever so much more easier and pleasurable. But there is a catch with this: going out with a man/women who shows off how much money they have is tacky. My friend was telling m all about this girl he dated who was really faux-rich and was boringly middle-class and told him how much she owned, and what she did (lunch) and the whole time all I wanted to do while he revealed his tales of financial delight was puke into my latte… and then make him drink it! No! Make her drink it! Or do you remember the Anglo-Cyprian (that I blogged about) who told me to spend time in her multi-million house. I dumped her because of that. It’s just so tacky. But with people who are powerful and wealthy – know it and do not need to show it off – don’t tell me you don’t find that attractive. Personally I’m attracted to their address books… imagine all the important people I can gain access to if I take it. Maybe if she dumps me it can be my going-away present…? But seriously money talks… and it talks best when it’s making its way into you’re pants, bed and heart. And when anything happens, you’ll crash… just like Wall Street did.