[devilbunny]

> Spend more time with different people from different backgrounds. This sentence is the result of being alienated from your fellow human beings and honestly sad to hear. Realize that we’re all the same.

This is a very kind, very real statement right up until the moment that people realize that I can spend far more than they can. At which point I frequently become, in their opinion, either an asshole or a mark. I don't think I'm better than the guy who regularly waits my table at a favorite local restaurant - in fact, he works at least as hard as I do, has a great personality, and is always pleasant with us, and he gets GREAT tips (and not just from me). But I've seen a lot of people try to fuck me over just because I have more than they do. Not like a 20% markup. Try 200%. And labor on top.

Lucky for me, I've cultivated good relationships with solidly blue-collar folks over the years. I could tell them that I wanted XYZ done, and I wasn't particular as long as it happened in the next few years. So when their business went slack, and they needed the money, they had a job for more or less as long as they needed to pay the bills. I get a little price break, they get a steady income. And when I need to pay them, I'm happy to do it in cash. Maybe they report it, maybe they don't, not my concern but the one great thing about cash is that you never have to worry if my check will clear (yes, this is a very US-centric problem).