I feel this acutely. In my post-college, early employment, very-low-salary days, many decades ago, I, too, spent money I really "didn't have," per my parents, to buy clothes that let me fit in somewhat better with my co-workers. The irony was that we all worked for a public social services program, with people as clients who had even less than we did. Did we do it because we wanted to set ourselves apart from our clients? Not on a conscious level, certainly, but more because we wanted to project a certain level of accomplishment, if not affluence. I can understand why people choose to get their nails and hair done or buy those jeans. I've been there, done that, and may still have the Tee shirt.
Hahahaha I had started typing several different responses. I’m kind of a different person though- I’ve never been “girly,” and never been into or even know what designer brands are cool. I’ve heard my friends mention some, but when they start talking about that stuff, I tune it out.
I work from home, so no need to buy decent clothes. No need to try to impress anyone.
I have applied for quite a few jobs, and have borrowed clothes for interviews lol and think that if I did have an outside of the home job, I’d probably do clothes shopping at Walmart or Ross’
And thankfully, my children were raised on PBS and streaming, so not commercial television - so, they didn’t have that kind of marketing fed to them.
I’m glad that I’ve never had that “try to fit in” mentality because I’ve never had the budget for it. I can understand it though.
I started a job out of graduate school and drove an old Ford Focus. My boss, who drove a huge gas guzzling Escalade or something, recommended that I get a car that would help me look like the professional I now was. No….. thankfully I knew better than that and still drive an economy car.
I could Zelle you the cost of the book plus postage. Would that work? If not, Amazon it is. I get it. I just published my first collection of poetry with a small press and most people buy it on Amazon.
Here in the UK we can buy The Trailer Park Rules through a few online bookstores, including Blackwell’s which I believe has free shipping to the US. Seems a bit ludicrous to have to buy a US book from the UK and have it shipped back but I won’t buy from Amazon either so…
You make so many good points here Michelle! People are judgy, by nature I suppose, but that doesn't make it okay. I lived in Manhattan for 22 years, and the obsession with clothes is real. Not that I could afford the high-end stores, but still, no two people are wearing the same thing, so you aim to look original. In some offices, people who dressed down were considered uninteresting.
You hear a lot about poorer people "buying an iPhone" but having a good phone is safety tool. It's not just a phone as you say, but used for maps, photos, emails, work, banking, doctor's portals, and everything in between. It's overpriced, but not a splurge. Honestly, I think phones should be partly subsidized, make it part of SNAP (if and when it ever resumes, that is).
I think people who are obsessed with clothes might be the uninteresting ones — didn’t some famous fashion person say your clothes should be the least interesting thing about you?
But what do I know? Currently wearing jeans from Old Navy and a shirt I scored for five bucks at Costco! (I had to replace my entire wardrobe this year and did it on a very tight budget.)
Hi Michelle, I enjoy reading your posts and want to buy “Trailer Park Rules.” Is there any way to buy it that isn’t Amazon? Hate supporting Bezos & co. Thanks, Susan
I learned on Apples — the news industry I worked in for 30 years used them. It’s the system I’m able to best use. I have a Macbook at home (a gift) and an android would not play as nice with it.
I still do a lot of media-related work and the iPhone is stellar at taking and processing pics.
I have from time to time been forced to use non-Apple products and the frustration level is insane.
I need to be able to work. The iPhone allows me to do so.
I keep each phone for as long as possible and don’t replace one until it completely dies.
I feel this acutely. In my post-college, early employment, very-low-salary days, many decades ago, I, too, spent money I really "didn't have," per my parents, to buy clothes that let me fit in somewhat better with my co-workers. The irony was that we all worked for a public social services program, with people as clients who had even less than we did. Did we do it because we wanted to set ourselves apart from our clients? Not on a conscious level, certainly, but more because we wanted to project a certain level of accomplishment, if not affluence. I can understand why people choose to get their nails and hair done or buy those jeans. I've been there, done that, and may still have the Tee shirt.
This was a fantastic read.
Thank you!
Hahahaha I had started typing several different responses. I’m kind of a different person though- I’ve never been “girly,” and never been into or even know what designer brands are cool. I’ve heard my friends mention some, but when they start talking about that stuff, I tune it out.
I work from home, so no need to buy decent clothes. No need to try to impress anyone.
I have applied for quite a few jobs, and have borrowed clothes for interviews lol and think that if I did have an outside of the home job, I’d probably do clothes shopping at Walmart or Ross’
And thankfully, my children were raised on PBS and streaming, so not commercial television - so, they didn’t have that kind of marketing fed to them.
I’m glad that I’ve never had that “try to fit in” mentality because I’ve never had the budget for it. I can understand it though.
I’ve never had the money or inclination for fashion. I wear cheap clothing.
My daughter’s fiancee (jokingly) complained to me that she doesn’t get any of his pop culture references because she saw so little TV as a child.
That’s so funny!
I started a job out of graduate school and drove an old Ford Focus. My boss, who drove a huge gas guzzling Escalade or something, recommended that I get a car that would help me look like the professional I now was. No….. thankfully I knew better than that and still drive an economy car.
I could Zelle you the cost of the book plus postage. Would that work? If not, Amazon it is. I get it. I just published my first collection of poetry with a small press and most people buy it on Amazon.
I would be willing to jump through any hoop — but I myself would have to buy the copy via Amazon.
I don’t like this situation at all, either.
Hi Michelle, I sucked it up and bought it on Amazon. Susan
Thank you. I truly appreciate every reader. And I hope someday I can publish without using Amazon.
Here in the UK we can buy The Trailer Park Rules through a few online bookstores, including Blackwell’s which I believe has free shipping to the US. Seems a bit ludicrous to have to buy a US book from the UK and have it shipped back but I won’t buy from Amazon either so…
Oh, and I really enjoyed your book.
Got it. No worries. I enjoy your blog a great deal!
You make so many good points here Michelle! People are judgy, by nature I suppose, but that doesn't make it okay. I lived in Manhattan for 22 years, and the obsession with clothes is real. Not that I could afford the high-end stores, but still, no two people are wearing the same thing, so you aim to look original. In some offices, people who dressed down were considered uninteresting.
You hear a lot about poorer people "buying an iPhone" but having a good phone is safety tool. It's not just a phone as you say, but used for maps, photos, emails, work, banking, doctor's portals, and everything in between. It's overpriced, but not a splurge. Honestly, I think phones should be partly subsidized, make it part of SNAP (if and when it ever resumes, that is).
I think people who are obsessed with clothes might be the uninteresting ones — didn’t some famous fashion person say your clothes should be the least interesting thing about you?
But what do I know? Currently wearing jeans from Old Navy and a shirt I scored for five bucks at Costco! (I had to replace my entire wardrobe this year and did it on a very tight budget.)
Yes, I think I've heard that phrase too, but can't recall who said it.
Costco is the place to be! Old Navy and H&M clearance can be cheaper than thrift stores.
Hi Michelle, I enjoy reading your posts and want to buy “Trailer Park Rules.” Is there any way to buy it that isn’t Amazon? Hate supporting Bezos & co. Thanks, Susan
I wish there were a way for small indie writers without big followings and money to publish without Amazon. There really isn’t, though.
Great read-I still cringe about how much money I spent on work clothes during my crummy little receptionist job.
The meme with FDR--Lyndon Johnson gave us Medicare, not FDR. FDR was awesome but ignorant ahistorical memes don't help anybody.
Thanks for the correction.
Excellent
Honest words in dishonest times, spoken from the heart. Well done! And thank you!
The i-Phone isn't a requirement. They're an extravagance for most. You probably don't need the BEST camera out there, etc.
Android phones are much cheaper (even free with some plans) and I think "Obama phones" are still around for free.
The iPhone is a necessity for me.
I learned on Apples — the news industry I worked in for 30 years used them. It’s the system I’m able to best use. I have a Macbook at home (a gift) and an android would not play as nice with it.
I still do a lot of media-related work and the iPhone is stellar at taking and processing pics.
I have from time to time been forced to use non-Apple products and the frustration level is insane.
I need to be able to work. The iPhone allows me to do so.
I keep each phone for as long as possible and don’t replace one until it completely dies.
My android and PC have no trouble functioning together and allow me to do a whole host of tasks, that make up my busy days as an activist.
I can understand that you’re used to what you’ve been using.
An android and PC, sure. But mixing Apple and non-Apple works less well.
Does that make Android an Orange? As in apples and oranges. LOLOL
Did you buy your boots? I've been hanging on the edge of my couch in anticipation.