Hey, Rich People, Start Spending Your Money!
Last month, we noted that acting poor is all the rage among the rich. Sort of like reducing your carbon footprint was the big thing last year. Vanity Fair's Michael Shnayerson brings us more obnoxious examples of the wealthy complaining about how poor they are now. For instance, the laidoff Lehman executive who is cutting her maid's rather than sell her handbags or the ghastly idea of flying commercial.
Now many bankers, along with discovering $15 bottles of wine, are finding other ways to cut back—if not out of necessity, then from collective guilt and fear: the fitness trainer from three times a week to once a week; the haircut and highlights every eight weeks instead of every five. One prominent “hedgie” recently flew to China for business—but not on a private plane, as before. “Why should I pay $250,000 for a private plane,” he said to a friend, “when I can pay $20,000 to fly commercial first class?”
But here's the thing, the problem facing the economy right now is the lack of demand. So, if you have money, you should be spending it and enjoying it and keeping your maids employed. We'll still think you're assholes, but we're gonna think that no matter what.