Negative numbers
Oct. 5th, 2006 03:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
desperanceI went into town this morning (in the rain, because that seemed fitting) to pay a lot of bills. Which is Good. The problem, of course, is that I can only do this by running up debts. Which is Bad. So I pondered mightily on the moral dilemma inherent: whether it is a better thing - in a completely neutral, moral context - to leave these debts where they were created, with the utilities companies &c, or to transfer them to those companies willing to advance me credit, viz the banks.
Couldn't decide, so did the practical thing and paid them, on the grounds that extra debt is better than no electricity, no gas, &c.
And then coming home decided that really it doesn't matter, because it is after all only the redistribution of illth.
Besides, I'd been snagged in the bank and hustled into a back office for augmentatory purposes. This happens to me surprisingly often, and I let it happen every time, because I thoroughly enjoy it. This time I came out with an upgraded current account and a new credit card with extra benefits, but that's not why I do it. I just love playing the big slow gent bewildered by the pace of modern finance, while these sharp young salesboys earn their little commissions by pushing new stuff at me.
Also, of course, I love the shiny. There will be fresh plastic and clean stationery; there will be new chequebooks smelling of printer's ink. I've been a sucker for this stuff since I was twelve, when I opened my first savings account. I am a sucker still. I think it's a boy thing.
Couldn't decide, so did the practical thing and paid them, on the grounds that extra debt is better than no electricity, no gas, &c.
And then coming home decided that really it doesn't matter, because it is after all only the redistribution of illth.
Besides, I'd been snagged in the bank and hustled into a back office for augmentatory purposes. This happens to me surprisingly often, and I let it happen every time, because I thoroughly enjoy it. This time I came out with an upgraded current account and a new credit card with extra benefits, but that's not why I do it. I just love playing the big slow gent bewildered by the pace of modern finance, while these sharp young salesboys earn their little commissions by pushing new stuff at me.
Also, of course, I love the shiny. There will be fresh plastic and clean stationery; there will be new chequebooks smelling of printer's ink. I've been a sucker for this stuff since I was twelve, when I opened my first savings account. I am a sucker still. I think it's a boy thing.
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-10-05 10:09 pm (UTC)I'd really like a bank manager to say, 'No, get a grip, live within your means', but I guess that's against their religion.