How far you can compromise as your status grows?

Hello everybody,

I am finding this as a big issue for the generations past, present and the future.

Earlier in my childhood, we used to cook only ration rice at our home according to our income. In those days, the ration rice will have lot of stones and worms. It will take an hour to clean the whole sack and make it fit for cooking. So while we eat, even if we find stones or worm, we used to keep them aside and eat the rest.

We used to have only limited clothes to wear and if they are torn, we used to stitch them by hand and wear it. I used to have only one pair of slippers which I would keep for a year. I remember when I was in my higher secondary, the school suddenly changed the uniform from half saree to salwar kameez. Since it was a sudden change and there was only one year left for my school studies to complete, I bought only one set of uniform. I used to come home wash, dry and wear it for the next day. I used to change my school bag only once in three years. And much more to stay but do not remember all.

And after I started earning and my brother joined in supporting, we are leading a quite decent life with little luxury. A decent house, decent clothes and other facilities have come our way.

But now, compared to our earlier days, ration rice seems to have improved a lot in quality. Still we are unable to compromise on consuming it. We prefer rice only from super markets. Every occasion we buy a new dress. We don't compromise on wearing even if the colour of the dress fades out. We hardly prefer MTC buses to travel inside the city.

Though these changes are not considered big at this period, I really wonder at our mind set.

Hi vanaja,
It is true that our childhood had limited comforts.
Even though my father was lecturer and was earning decently (compared to others @ that time), he used to donate so much to others and we were left with little.With that my mom used to manage everything in the household, on top of it, she wanted to save some money for buying clothes, gold or household items. This could be done only by reducing monthly ration where we were ended up eating just rice, sambhar, without much vegetables and no fruits at all.
In case of occassions/festivals, there would be a big argument with mom and dad over expenses.
In case of any guests at home, both won't mind spending money and cooking delicious food at home. (which used to make me so mad at them as they give good food for others and not to us).
I never had a good dress during my school days other than my uniform. So I never used to go for any outings, parties, marriages etc.
In collage days, I had only 3 dress which I wore for almost 3-4 yrs.
Once I started earning, things were different. I used to buy good clothes for myself, brought fruits to home and gave pocket money for my brother.
When I visit India, I see that my parents havn't changed at all and my mom still bargains for one rupee.
We learnt the value of money because of all those childhood hardships.
Still I control spending money for kids like buying toys and other things.
I keep telling them that this is very expensive toy, we can't afford etc.
I don't spend money unnecessarily, but can't control buying
clothes and jewels for myself.
~Punitha

hi punitha,

thank you for a quick response. while we were eating ration rice, where to think of fruits and charity.

in those days, we didn't find or treat our difficulties as discomforts. but now i am able to realize what is comfort and discomfort.

Very true, we couldn't have realized discomforts and comforts.
Now being at different situation, we are able to realize that.

~Punitha

Originally Posted by srinivasan_vanaja

hi punitha,

thank you for a quick response. while we were eating ration rice, where to think of fruits and charity.

in those days, we didn't find or treat our difficulties as discomforts. but now i am able to realize what is comfort and discomfort.

Hi Vanaja,
That is a good thought. As far as status is concerned we need not let it affect us at all. Depends on what we compromise, when it comes to food if we can afford it then we certainly should get the better quality stuff. When we could not afford it , it was enough that we ate something to appease our hunger.But if we can do better now why not?? If we do no eat healhty stuff then we have to pay the doc right??? If you have come to a good position in life then we rather stay within the limits and need not overspend.My two cents!!!!

Hi Vanaja & Puni,

I too belong to your group. Coming from a middle class background...I still look at the past & compare with present situation. Those were the times, I used to get new dress on special occasions like deepavali, birthdays etc. & ration shops as you mentioned, I remember we used to stand in a big queue for rice,sugar,palm oil etc. I used to run & catch buses, especially the crowded ones. Now the life style has changed, I am unable to compromise. Prefer a car or an auto, now mindset has changed, we look out for good quality in everything from footwear to the rice we eat. We buy & accumulate things whenever we have a sale...unable to avoid temptation!

hi janani,

i pay for the doctor more at present than the past. though i plan not to overspend, somehow or other i land up in spending.

only if you spend you get to know about what to buy and what not.

hi anu shiv,

yes i very well understand that you belong to our group. in those days, i have seen people who are quite rich buying ration goods.

since you have classifications in ration card today, we find only people who are economically backward buying in ration shops. but we never leave our allowance of buying sugar from ration.

my father worked for TUCS and got retired. in those days, when he was in Beasant Nagar branch, few well known cine actors would buy groceries from his store.

Hi Vanaja and Puni

What uboth have mentioned is cent percent correct. I also come from a middle class family and have gone through the hard days when we used to buy ration items and get new clothes only during diwali. Those days only one person used to earn and we were in a joint family. But still our parents were generous and were very co-oprative. Now everyone has money but that affection is not there. Now when they get married they want to stay separate and enjoy life but when a kid comes they think of the parents to look after their kids. Its kali yug so we cant complain about anyone.

My husband is very economic and does not believe in overspending. Whereas i am fond of everything and want to be uptodate. I still adjust with him. His family is a big one. four brothers and eight sisters. Now only two brothers and six sisters are there.