Is coffee-shop coffee too expensive?

[Lorizael]

Because clearly, that uncontrollable fact should be used against him in a debate.

[Ming]

It's ok to have a difference of opions... but not if you are insulting about it. So have a "discussion" and leave the personal insults behind.

[Dauphin]

Well quite, but I was moreso coming from the other way around. The fact his dad is an actuary/lawyer who has/earns a lot of money is by the by. Yet he mentions it quite a bit.

[Dauphin]

Back on topic. A lot of money that is spent in bars, coffee houses and the like is more for the use of the seating area (etc). If you buy takeout then you are probably spending more than you ought to.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Elok
It doesn't "matter" as such. But I reserve the right to tell you it's stupid to throw away money on that scale.
And those people are idiots for having tastes that run to prodigality.

You say that about $2.50?

And why does it matter to you what other people do with their money?

I've got a buddy who is a millionaire. I don't judge him on how he spends his money. He's a millionaire. For him to drop a thousand is small change. For me it is not. Different worlds, not better, not worse, just different.

And I've been poor, not dirt poor, but living on minimum wage from pay check to pay check. I had money for food and rent, that was about all. Even when I earned more money, the most I ever paid for a car was $1,500. Life was fine then, but life is even better when you got more coin, a hell of a lot more better. Tonight I was talking about going to Katmandu and you know what, it feels great knowing that I've got the cash to do it.

Originally posted by Elok
Yes, I own several such things. I got them mostly as gifts, and they have value for me because of personal associations. I don't have strong emotional responses towards physical commodities for their own sake.

Fine, that's your opinion and that's great for you, but can you not understand that other people have different views?

Imman enjoys microbrews. I don't, but I can understand why he does and I don't think he is an idiot for having a different perspective.

Originally posted by Elok
My argument was that it's shameful to spend such a staggering amount of money without regard to utility.

But what is utility? If you think it is an objective, quantifiable measure you're wrong.

Originally posted by Elok
A little vanity purchase isn't too bad. $900 is just getting carried away.

And it ain't art if it's produced in bulk and has a MSRP. It's just a manufactured good supplied to fill a demand

When I was poor, I would have agreed with you, absolutely. Hell, I used to earn $2.25 an hour. But now I make enough money that $900 isn't really significant. But I wouldn't spend $10,000 for a watch. My friend could. It's all relative.

As for art, I've got two prints by Roy Henry Vickers. One is numbered, and cost $400, the other is a poster and cost $10. I enjoy each one, but according to you, neither is art. Which one of us is materialistic?

And my watch, mass produced, but still as beautiful creation in my opinion, but you would automatically say it is nothing because it is mass produced, even though you haven't seen it. Seems rather superficial to me.

[LordShiva]

$900 is not an excessive amount for a suit.

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Elok


It doesn't "matter" as such. But I reserve the right to tell you it's stupid to throw away money on that scale. And those people are idiots for having tastes that run to prodigality.



Yes, I own several such things. I got them mostly as gifts, and they have value for me because of personal associations. I don't have strong emotional responses towards physical commodities for their own sake. I love them for the memories they give me of the places I got them, or of the people who gave them to me.



Impressing the neighbors was Kuci's argument, not mine. My argument was that it's shameful to spend such a staggering amount of money without regard to utility. You want art, go to the museum. Or buy a print of a great painting. Go to a concert. Whatever. Art's just as pretty no matter who owns it. There's no reason to buy art (for yourself, as opposed to a gallery or other exhibition) but vanity. A little vanity purchase isn't too bad. $900 is just getting carried away.

And it ain't art if it's produced in bulk and has a MSRP. It's just a manufactured good supplied to fill a demand invented by a marketing campaign, and you're a sucker for buying into it. This time next year they'll be selling you a refined, elegant, gold-plated toenail clipper or something.

I agree, send the money to Dafur or to help kids go to school.

JM

[Jon Miller]

I really like the looks of Porsche cars. However, even if I were to become a millionaire, I can't think of buying one because the money could be better used elsewhere.

Either invested in a business, helping that business to be successful, or as charity to the poor and needy.

Jon Miller

[DanS]

Originally posted by Datajack Franit
Paying 5 dollars for a mug of burned coffee and artificial flavoring

Italy is probably the only place on God's green Earth that does coffee well consistently at a modest price. You're spoiled.

[DanS]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
I really like the looks of Porsche cars. However, even if I were to become a millionaire, I can't think of buying one because the money could be better used elsewhere.

Either invested in a business, helping that business to be successful, or as charity to the poor and needy.

Jon Miller

Stewardship is an important concept. But it's sometimes tough to cultivate, especially if you have a lot of money. Money ruins many people.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Jon Miller


Send the money to Dafur or to help kids go to school.

JM

Or Doctors without Borders.

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
I really like the looks of Porsche cars. However, even if I were to become a millionaire, I can't think of buying one because the money could be better used elsewhere.

Either invested in a business, helping that business to be successful, or as charity to the poor and needy.

Jon Miller

If you had millions of dollars, $80000 to $100000 wouldn't really be that big of a deal. You'd undoubtedly spend $400k or more on a house after all, and you could still donate a few hundred k to charities.

It's all a matter of personal preference... some of the people here don't get that personal preference is relevant, but oh well

[LordShiva]

Then again, when teh rich spend on frivolous or overvalued things, it's not like that money disappears from teh face of teh earth.

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by snoopy369


If you had millions of dollars, $80000 to $100000 wouldn't really be that big of a deal. You'd undoubtedly spend $400k or more on a house after all, and you could still donate a few hundred k to charities.

It's all a matter of personal preference... some of the people here don't get that personal preference is relevant, but oh well

Not that big of deal to me, sure.

A huge deal to people in Africa.

JM

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by LordShiva
Then again, when teh rich spend on frivolous or overvalued things, it's not like that money disappears from teh face of teh earth.

When money is spent on pure conspicuous consumption, yes, the value does disappear completely.