Elton John didn't know what a mortgage was

[UnquietDad]

Did anyone hear this on the radio the other day?

One of his employees had to explain to him what a mortgage was and why you had one.

He's not always been rich. How can you get to the age of 60 without having at least the vaguest idea of what a mortgage is?

Anyway, the point of the story is that he paid off all his staff's mortgages. I don't know how many staff he has, but it must have cost him a six-figure sum at least.

Eh? How did he think normal people buy houses?

oh come on
hes played Monopoly

ooh

maybe the devil's dandruff addled his brain

Love the idea of Elton playing Monopoly. I can just picture him thumping the table in a huff because David has got two hotels on Mayfair and charged him a fortune in rent.

David would be one of those smug twats who land on Mayfair and buy it in the first loop. And then smirk about it.

In fairness to Elton, there wasn't so much home ownership about in the days before he was rich. Possibly (I'm making this up as I go along).

So he paid them off after learning what they are? That's quite sweet (but dim).

It is a bit like the Queen Mum who asked what the (ironing board?? vacuum cleaner??) was when she went on one of her visits.

Must have been the gin !!

Amusingly, my dad claims not to know what one is either - hadn't realised he was at one with Elton on this

I think the Queen Mum also didn't know about pressing the button to get the light to change so pedestrians can cross.

I'm sure there's all manner of super fancy sleb stuff that all of us are clueless about. I suppose if you don't ever encounter such things in your day to day life, you don't think/know about them.

Abs that probably true -Queen, high-end celebs etc probably have no idea how to use a cashpoint or parking machine, what cash-back at the checkout is, what a PITA it is to get a doctors/dentists/hospital appt. that fits into your day etc

Surely he must watch the news and be curious when people refer to mortgage lending? Must be weird to live in a little bubble, completely cut off from the majority.

Still, it's nice if he did pay off his staffs mortgages

Well, according to the all knowing wikipedia, he spent his early life living with his grandparents in their council flat (so no mortgage there), then they moved to semi near by (probably rented). Then, as young struggling musician, probably in no way able to get a mortgage, so still renting. Then early 70s - gets super famous, probably buys property/ies outright.

So, it is entirely conceivable that he's never encountered mortgages (or the last time he was in a position to was in the 70s, and he's probably done a lot of drugs sports since then and forgotten).

If he doesn't know what a mortgage is, presume he has no idea how much house prices are?

The story seemed to imply that he'd paid them off without the staff knowing. I wonder how? It doesn't quite ring true. Does your employer know how much your mortgage is for, and who with, and how much you have left on it? Could they pay it off without your filling in a form?

Hmm, you'd be a bit pissed off if he did this after you'd just finished paying off your own morgage.

But, no, cannot see why/when staff would give those details to an employer.

I want to believe he paid the mortgages off! It is feel good friday, after all. Well done Elton !

Aw, Bless. How nice of him.

Remind me not to listen to him if he spouts off about any political issue though.

If he has never heard of a mortgage then I have to assume that he has never read a newspaper.