Ever felt like the poor relation?

Person_one

dirtysexymonkey wrote: »

from your posts you dont strike me as a very happy person so you must hide your happiness well.

Still following me around the forum DSM? Does that make you happy?

bluebeary

members of my own faimily are doing well but thats their own hard work and i would never ask for owt from them, even though they send me far more than i send them at birthdays and christmas, im happy and so are they, i hope

cazziebo

Most of the most successful, wealthy people I know come from what would be judged to be the worst possible backgrounds. Some of the most unlikeable people I know were brought up in the very privileged environments. The happiest people I know are the ones who appreciate who they are, understand the world and the inequality in it, and demonstrate a genuine, caring interest in that world.

Inequality is a real scourge. If you haven't already, read Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett's book, The Spirit Level. Inequality leads to more crime, more ill health, more unhappiness, earlier mortality. Sadly, the UK and US are named as the most inequal societies.

neverdespairgirl

aliasojo wrote: »

I wonder if I'm a product of my environment too. :think: Do you think people achieve more if they are surrounded by higher standards?

Obviously there will be exceptions and people will have tales of 'whoever' who pulled himself up from nothing etc, etc but this is more of a 'general' thought.

I think for a lot of people, it helps. For me, certainly. I worked harder at secondary school because there was more competition, while at primary school, I found it easy to coast along happily.

There are people who will acheive in any circumstances, and there always have been, as you say.

neverdespairgirl

Person_one wrote: »

Its pretty obvious that there's a bit of a 'network' among people who went to certain private schools, and that money can buy you opportunities (look at how many rich kids do unpaid internships at top companies while their poorer peers have to get !!!! jobs to pay the rent). We certainly do not yet have equality of opportunity in this country or anything even remotely resembling a classless society.

I don't think it is that obvious, and I went to one of those schools, as did my sisters and brother. I've never benefited from such a "network", though.

desert_rose

Depends how you define successful. People with loads of money have a common characteristic (if they haven't inherited or won it) and that is a driving ambition.

They just don't give up and have a level of determination and focus which most of us simply don't share.

For me, I'm happy to be successful on my own terms: a decent job, a nice home, kids grown, flown and happy with their lives, very little debt and the love of a good man.

Now that's riches beyond compare!

gratefulforhelp_2

desert_rose wrote: »

depends how you define successful. People with loads of money have a common characteristic (if they haven't inherited or won it) and that is a driving ambition.

They just don't give up and have a level of determination and focus which most of us simply don't share.

For me, i'm happy to be successful on my own terms: A decent job, a nice home, kids grown, flown and happy with their lives, very little debt and the love of a good man.

Now that's riches beyond compare!

:t:t:t:t:t:t:t:t:t:t That was supposed to be clapping.

Person_one

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

I don't think it is that obvious, and I went to one of those schools, as did my sisters and brother. I've never benefited from such a "network", though.

Which school did you go to? Harrow? Eton? Westminster?

dirtysexymonkey

Person_one wrote: »

Which school did you go to? Harrow? Eton? Westminster?

your 'knowledge' falls short again. its unlikely that the poster went to any of those schools what with her being a girl.;)

neverdespairgirl

Person_one wrote: »

Which school did you go to? Harrow? Eton? Westminster?

Nope, I'm female! My brother went to Westminster, though.