So, what’s your take on this?
Two guys walked into an office. (This is sounding like the start of a bad joke). They were in the throes of a debate.
To settle a point, one asked me the pressing question, “What’s a reasonable amount to spend on a birthday party?” Looking at the other, he added, “don’t say anything.”
Well, I thought, dinner with family would be a couple hundred dollars, maybe add some friends, it could be $500-$1,000.
I supposed if someone went all out and rented a room, it could be a few, maybe even $5,000.
“Tell her what you’re spending,” urged Guy One. “$25,000,” replied Guy Two.
I’ll let you catch your breath.
Yes, you read that correctly: $25,000 — on a birthday party.
There will be a live band, free bar and a sea of canapes for 200 people. Did I mention the Great Gatsby-esque fountains and fake statues?
After much “OMG, you’re insane!” came a discussion about money and who has the right to spend what.
Point One: It’s his money, he earned it; he can spend it however he wants.
Point Two: Actually, no, money is socially generated. No single person earns money on their own. It requires a network of support.
Point Three: Regardless whose money it is, whatever happened to balloons and a cake?
Party Boy argued he needn’t feel guilty for his lavish spending because he’s doing a great thing by employing a number of small businesses to make the event happen.
True enough. The more money one earns the more one can contribute to economic activity. Ironically, this same person is against raising the minimum wage.
His other point is that he works hard and has a skill set that is well rewarded.
Again, true enough. If he’s able to spend more than the annual income for a full-time, minimum wage worker (that would be $21,000) on a birthday party he, indeed, is being well rewarded — but there’s the rub.
I don’t believe everyone should be paid the same, but the discrepancies we sometimes see can make my head spin.
On Wednesday night, I was at McMath’s graduation ceremony where I heard two remarkable students give the valedictory speech. What stood out was not their accomplishments, but their recognition of all who helped them realize those accomplishments.
An individual’s grit and talent counts for a lot. But, as those bright lights of our future said, it takes a community.
This really isn’t about how one celebrates their birthday. It’s about how we, as a society, recognize people’s value — financially. We may agree it takes a community, but the type of party one can throw seems to says otherwise.
