Carelessness of the rich

 

The family that lives opposite my house inherited the old bungalow from their parents, rebuilt it into a modern house with a swimming pool. By the cars they are driving and having 2 helpers in the house, I can say they are considered wealthy. 

Unfortunately from their actions and  behaviour I would describe them as the "Careless Rich". This morning I noticed a Grab food delivery man spending 10 minutes trying to reach them through phone, door bell and calling aloud outside the gate. I was about to go out to help him shout for attention with my sharp female voice when the wife appeared and nonchalantly said "Oh he is here" and asked her maid to open the main gate. Ten minutes is precious time to earn money for a food delivery man. All she needed to do was to get the helper to look out for the delivery. 

The same household would often pile cuttings from plants without properly bundling up for the Green truck to collect. I have seen the truck workers spending time loading the branches one by one onto the truck under the hot sun.

I think they are not intentionally uncaring. I just think they lack exposure to the plight of the lower strata working class hence the want of empathy. The rich or for that matter all of us tend to live in our own world. Our friends are probably of the same education level as us and engage in similar activities. Unless one makes it an effort to open one's eyes to sectors of society outside our circle it would be rather difficult to realise how others live their life.

Today's papers reported the findings of a survey on who should provide for the essential needs in Singapore. Two thirds of those surveyed felt the government should be the main party to support individuals who do not have basic necessities, 'Professor Paulin Straughan who spear headed the SMU study said more opportunities should be created for youth here to volunteer to show that they can make a difference". She said "It's when you can't see where you can contribute, then you may begin to say the Government should provide". She added that businesses and high income earners can do their part "to bring the community together".

I hope my neighbour's children through their school volunteer work will be more cognizant of how they can make a difference or at least don't act in manners that make it difficult for others to earn a decent living.