...to feel slightly annoyed when people claim to be "living in poverty"

[ihateconflict]

...and have huge TVs/smoke/drink/have a holiday abroad each year/wear designer clothes and shoes and handbags, and have all the latest electronic gadgets. In contrast, as a "middle class" (hate this label) professional living in an expensive area, i cant afford any of the above (dont smoke or drink, so dont include those). We havent had any holiday for 5 years, let alone one abroad. AND, when DCs were at school, their friends with EMA allowance were the ones who had driving lessons for their 17th birthday, and cars for their 18th birthday. My DCs had to pay for own driving lessons, and didnt get cars until they finished uni and were earning. I am full of sympathy for those in "genuine" poverty, but somewhere priorities and definitions seem a bit wrong

Where are these people who claim they're living in poverty yet smoke, drink and go on holiday? Can't say I've ever met one....

really? I don't know anyone like that. But if they did have all that stuff and claimed to be poverty stricken then obv YANBU

green doesn't look good on you.

Who claims this but lives in the way you describe?

I fear I know who you are talking about and I can tell you this will not end well!

I know a few ihate and I feel the same.

Bizarre name to go with your post.

Also for someone who hates conflict, this is a goady arsed post.

Stargirl, xpost

heres an idea - move to a less expensive area, i seem to recall a whole thread about people thinking they are "entitled" to live in these places even if they can't afford it! As madcap says - green doesn't look good on you.

I won a holiday to Florida last year and am well below the poverty line (although I don't feel poor because I cut my cloth and all that). Are you talking about me OP

mad cap, i am not envious, i am very content with my life, i just think it detracts from those who are in genuine poverty, and who really need help.

Isn't it about debt?

People buy TVs, holidays, gadgets with loans/HP at ridiculous rates. They struggle to afford the repayments and use pay day lenders, etc. to cover these.

Poverty is real, even in the UK. I imagine you don't go hungry to feed your kids. You don't use food banks.

Have you read/listened to anything around this subject? Debt is a huge issue. I would like to see a legal restriction on APR rates.

Have some compassion and empathy OP. Read about it. Listen/watch documentaries. Do some research. Those of us with very comfortable lives shouldn't be judging.

I agree with you that they are not 'living in poverty', but how many people do you know who do this?

It all sounds a bit Daily Mail to me.

Oh dear MadCap so OP isn't allowed to find that annoying? Don't be ridiculous

I totally agree with you. its strange how many of people living in poverty are able to have laptops, ipads etc but don't/cant/won't buy the basic things like fresh food stuff and live off take aways and beer

noisytoys, nooooo, not talking about you, or anyone in particular, and maybe i do need to change my name to " i embrace conflict at opportunity" it is based on observation made over recent weeks whilst working in an area considered to experience a lot of poverty, and i have seen those with all the expensive goods i described, but also people who are living in a freezing conditions, with minimal food, and in appalling hardship, hence my feelings.

She's certainly allowed to have an opinion. Doesn't mean that it's not a ridiculous one. Like many other posters I think it sounds a bit Daily Wail and imaginary

do you know many people like that because I honestly dont I know people who live in poverty and most of them have never had a holiday, op maybe you should take up unemployment smoking drinking and geta hooge telly cos you seem to think that is where the fun is

I fail to understand huge tvs as a marker of poverty. It just seems so Daily Mail. I honestly don't give a stuff what people spend their money on, but would point out that tv is probably the cheapest form of entertainment for families.

Oh and no-one gets EMA anymore so that should make you feel better

OP i think you need another job as the 1 you have clearly upsets you, most people in these areas are up to their eyeballs in debt anyway do you fancy debt on top of your unemployment

but would point out that tv is probably the cheapest form of entertainment for families.
this families who are poorer dont have the opportunity that some people have all they have is to watch TV

Exactly how many people have you met of the sort you describe, who themsleves claim to be living in poverty?

I am having trouble believeing it is more than one person. And of so that person is probably a bit stupid.

Is it time to mention goats yet?

i just think it detracts from those who are in genuine poverty, and who really need help.

what would you consider genuine poverty how do people live if they are in genuine poverty ?

Is it time to mention goats yet?

on at least wait till page 3 for that