She Strengthens

The Unspoken Truth About Wealth Inequality in Expensive Cities

Living in expensive cities like New York can be a constant reminder of the vast wealth disparities that exist. From luxury high-rises to upscale restaurants and coffee shops, it’s clear that some people have a lot more money than others. But what’s even more striking is the sense of entitlement that often comes with wealth.

In my experience working in a leasing office for a luxury building, I encountered numerous clients who believed their high incomes entitled them to special treatment. They would often yell at me over the phone when their lease applications were denied due to bad credit scores, as if their wealth should automatically override any financial red flags. Meanwhile, my friends who worked in high-end restaurants and coffee shops told me about customers who would stiff them on large checks, send dishes back to the kitchen after eating most of them, and even question their career choices.

The underlying assumption is that certain jobs are inherently “better” than others, and that those who work in service industries are somehow lesser beings. It’s a rude and misguided assumption, and one that needs to be challenged.

A recent Reddit thread brought this issue to the forefront once again. A user shared their experience working at a grocery store to pay off debt, and was met with condescension from a coworker who asked if they were “embarrassed” to be working there. The implication was that taking on a side hustle to make ends meet was somehow shameful.

But the truth is, there’s no shame in hard work, regardless of the job. In fact, many people who work in service industries are some of the hardest working individuals out there. They deserve respect and dignity, not scorn and condescension.

The Reddit thread sparked a wave of responses from others who had similar experiences working in “embarrassing” jobs. There was the doctor who started out as a bagger and worked their way up, the engineer who was looked down upon for not having a four-year degree, and the college grad who took on a serving job to pay off debt.

Each of these stories highlights the importance of rethinking our attitudes towards work and wealth. It’s time to recognize that every job has value, and that those who work hard to make ends meet deserve our respect, not our scorn.

As one Reddit user so eloquently put it, “If you think someone should be embarrassed about what they do to earn money — no matter whether it’s their side hustle or full-time gig — it’s time to take a good, long look in the mirror and figure out what deep-seeded issues are making you feel that way.”

Let’s work towards creating a society where every job is valued, and where wealth and status aren’t the only measures of success. It’s time to challenge our assumptions and treat each other with the respect and dignity we all deserve.