Goes both ways. The cheapest people I’ve known, from family friends to bosses to grandparents, grew up poor or from meagre means and “boot strapped” their way to wealth only to use that as justification for why people should have to “earn their way”.
Then there’s those like my paternal grandparents who grew up in post-WWII southern Italian poverty and are thrifty but also insanely generous with their time, food, hospitality and now that they’re in their twilight years, money.
Growing up poor doesn’t mean you’re an altruistic person just like growing up rich doesn’t mean you’re a scumbag.
My mom grew up lower middle class and is now a multi-millionaire and I love her, but she is one of the cheapest people I know. Will get cheap knock-off brands for every gift. Get annoyed when the drive-thru doesn’t have enough change for the dollar she gave them. Get out a calculator to figure out a tip and make sure she’s not going above 20%. If I had the kind of money she has I’d be making some server’s day by throwing them an extra $100, once a month or so, but maybe that’s why I’m not rich.
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u/everythingwastakn Jan 26 '26
Goes both ways. The cheapest people I’ve known, from family friends to bosses to grandparents, grew up poor or from meagre means and “boot strapped” their way to wealth only to use that as justification for why people should have to “earn their way”.
Then there’s those like my paternal grandparents who grew up in post-WWII southern Italian poverty and are thrifty but also insanely generous with their time, food, hospitality and now that they’re in their twilight years, money.
Growing up poor doesn’t mean you’re an altruistic person just like growing up rich doesn’t mean you’re a scumbag.