Q-Bot Argument - More money = better?

[MissingDietCoke]

Went to Legoland this holiday, was manic. While queuing for a ride my DD 6 noticed the Q-Botters and asked why some people went straight to the front and got on rides first, my DH replied "because they've paid more money so they get to go to the front of the queue". DD was perplexed by this, which led to a discussion/argument with DBro.
DD said that this wasn't fair, to which DBro replied, "that's life honey - if you work hard and have more money then you get better things, of course it's fair"

For context, we are comfortable - in that a couple of days in Legoland and a couple of nights in a holiday inn isn't too much of a stretch, but I still have to save up for it. DBro is very well off, far more so than us.

Me and DBro ended up in an argument. I said I didn't want him saying things like that to her, he couldn't see why not "as it's true".
I said that I disliked the whole Q-Bot system for that very reason and it shouldn't be allowed. He totally disagreed and it got a bit out of hand, him arguing that it's the very reason he paid for private education for his kids etc etc (My kids are state schooled and I'm very happy with that). He asked me to think of just one thing that money can't improve, excepting family and love (which obviously is a hell of an exception) and he had an answer for everything I came up with that was difficult to disagree with. It's left me a bit confused and a bit sad and I can't quite work out why. He's such a lovely man and I adore him but the world is black and white to him and he seems very far removed from our upbringing as a normal northern family with hard working but ultimately not wealthy parents.

AIBU to be a bit upset with him for his views? And for his explanation to DD? Or am I being a snowflake?

Well it's basically true, if you have more money you can buy privileges , that's capitalism. It doesn't however mean they've worked harder, some of the hardest working most valuable professionals aren't the highest earners. I think I would've just said something like that to DD.

What Zippy said.

The qbot is also for people with disabilities that mean they can struggle to queue.

My son with adhd/autism gets one with evidence from the GP of why he can not queue.

I'd hate to think that others thought we bought our way to the front of a queue because we work harder than them.

I think that the paid queue-jumping systems are awful. Not for disabilities as pp said, that's completely reasonable. But the two-tier ticket pricing is just a horrible system.

And it's not about how hard you work, it's about how much money you have and are willing to pay for things.

I hate the idea of giving children the message that people who are wealthy "work harder". Privilege is usually inherited not earned.

Working hard does not necessarily equate to being paid more.

DHs company director rocks up at 10am most days, misses days of work at a moment's notice and basically does nothing when he is there.
My friend is a nurse working 12 hour shifts looking after seriously ill children. Heavy lifting, night shifts, understanding- she works bloody hard.

Guess who gets paid more?

I do however think he is right about money buying better stuff. I also disagree with the Qbot system.

You both jumped to an assumption that those using it are better off financially. We went there once (almost 2 h drive away) as we had coupons making it affordable. It turned out that the offer had ended the day before. We found ourselves paying the full price and then realised that buying an annual pass would be only £20 more so decided to do it. It totally broke the bank at 4hectime and I cried in worry. We end up queuing and got to enjoy little of that day.

When we got back and kids talk about going again, I said we would need to save to get the Q bottlers so we could make the most of it during our time there. So we did. Kids asked for cash for their birthdays and used this and I saved each week. We absolutely loved it and felt it had been worth it as such a different experience. We only went again twice that year but in the end, it still came cheaper than paying the full price each time.

People always assume that only those with money can afford these luxuries but it is often a case of saving priorities or presents from family members.

*understaffing

You dont get qbots if you have a disability you have a queue access pass, which doesn't mean you go straight to the front just means you have to electronically queue, the wait time is the same, just means you dont physically stand in a queue but you still have to wait else where

I think that the paid queue-jumping systems are awful. Not for disabilities as pp said, that's completely reasonable. But the two-tier ticket pricing is just a horrible system

How do you feel about 2 (or 3 or 4) tier airline tickets?

Or 5 tier theatre tickets with better positions the more you pay?

What DBro said is true. More money gives you more opportunities to buy better and more opportunities.

Maybe your children might take pay into consideration when thinking about future career options. Help and guide them.

I disliked the whole Q-Bot system for that very reason and it shouldn't be allowed.

So, using that line of argument, you and your family shouldn't be allowed to go to Legoland at all, because there are some families who can't even afford the basic entrance fee, so it isn't fair that you get to go to a theme park when they don't.

Your dB is essentially correct, except for the "work hard" part. Plenty of people work incredibly hard and earn very little. He probably meant work hard at school etc to gain qualifications (esp as he was talking to a child) but even then that part isn't as simple as he's making it out. But, those with money can and will have opportunities that others don't. He can afford to pay to have a shorter wait if he wants to. You can afford to pay to visit the park. Others can afford neither and settle for a run around the local play park. It doesn't mean anyone is better than anyone else, or that they deserve more, just that they can afford it.

Your Bro is correct to a point but I really wish he wasn’t.

Of course he is correct: more money = more choice & opportunities.
Without meaning to sound harsh, I am surprised you even need to ask, it's very naive to think otherwise.
A weekend at Legoland and two nights away is a hell of a lot of money for a hell of a lot of people.

It's clearly not true that hard work is directly related to earning money. I bought the qbot when I went and I actually felt really awkward about it and didn't like it especially at a kids attraction. We were basically paying for our kids to skip the queue ahead of other kids in a very ublic way. I wouldn't do it again.

I was referring to the having more money part of what he said.

Working hard doesn't always lead to more money.
However, rarely do you EARN more money without having to work hard. There may eventually come a point where you can kick back and have others work for you.

Note I said EARN to exclude inherited wealth.

Simple solution; next time go to the other side of London and go to adventure island at Southend, you rarely have to queue at all, there's loads of rides for all ages, if you don't want to ride it's free to get in (you just buy wristbands for those who do) and if your child needs to be accompanied on a ride (and is a certain height) then you ride for free with then. But the queues (or lack of) are well worth it. Plus all the fun of the seaside.