[oowolf]

Get this: Stopped at a "garage sale" in ritzy Hayden Lake McMansion, picked up a 2 year old microwave for 25$(I buy for re-sale). Ritzy rich lady says:"I have more microwaves, leads me inside and every friggen bedroom has not only its own microwave but a fridge and big screen tv. She was replacing the microwaves because they were "too old"(2years)--probably because she saw new ones with dvd players built in or some other stupid crap.
And this nation is full of human beings who have been brought to this sorry state of existence.

[lotrfan55345]

We only have TWO refrigirators and *gasp* ONE microwave! And I can happily say all our cars get over 20mpg. And we only have 1 energy sucking hdtv.

/not my fault family is 'typical'

[BabyPeanut]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JoeW', 'a') refrigerator costs something like $30/yr to run.

[BabyPeanut]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('oowolf', 'G')et this: Stopped at a "garage sale" in ritzy Hayden Lake McMansion, picked up a 2 year old microwave for 25$(I buy for re-sale). Ritzy rich lady says:"I have more microwaves, leads me inside and every friggen bedroom has not only its own microwave but a fridge and big screen tv. She was replacing the microwaves because they were "too old"(2years)--probably because she saw new ones with dvd players built in or some other stupid crap.

[oowolf]

I will buy a copy of this book as soon as I can find a used one. I'm obsessed with trying to comprehend how people can be so easily and completely manipulated, and the WHY of manipulating people to exist in ignorance when such activity is so obviously detrimental to our survival as a species. Thanks.

[RIPSmithianEconomics]

Wow. It's hard to believe that my parents didn't have a single fridge until the early 1980's. But, having been to America, I can believe this. You guys have turned being fat into an art form. I'd never seen anyone over 250 pounds except Lennox Lewis himself before I visited Boston.

My question is, didn't people who are 600 pounds wake up someday, realise they were 300 pounds, and start to get a bit, well, nervous?

[frankthetank]

One of my brothers has four...one upstairs, one small one in the basement, a freezer in the basement, and a refrigerator in the garage (not sure if he uses it...i;ll have to ask)...He just likes to buy things that are cheap


A lot of people i know have a refrigerator and then keep a freezer in basement/garage...

I wanted to get rid of our refrigerator, but the GF was not impressed with the thought...

[linlithgowoil]

americans are a bit annoying though. im referring to the stereotype, of course. the type that expects cheap petrol, a job, a big house, a big car and endless cheap imported goods.

lots of people in my country, scotland, are like this now too. its all to do with status i think. people show you the stuff they've got. 'look at my plasma tv!', and i think, great - you paid £2000 for something that shows the same old crap as i can see on a tv that cost about £300.

its actually going to be hilarious to see it all collapse. i really cant wait. as you may be able to tell, i dont really care for material possessions. as long as i have somewhere to live, food, clothes and maybe a bit of beer, im very happy.

[JoeW]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BabyPeanut', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JoeW', 'a') refrigerator costs something like $30/yr to run.

[JoeW]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JoeW', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BabyPeanut', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JoeW', 'a') refrigerator costs something like $30/yr to run.

[LaLaLand]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('uNkNowN ElEmEnt', 'G')ood God, three and four fridges? Fire place dampers wedged open? I'd like to know how Americans can pay for all of this???

[LaLaLand]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NevadaGhosts', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Anonymous', 'T')hey can't! Your average family isn't buying 6 fridges and sticking one in each room. Only the top 5% can buy this shit.

[ECM]

Just a couple of experiences from my life and the American attitude.

Where I grew up in Illinois money was everything. Want a date with a girl? The first two things that typically come out of their mouths is "What type of car do you drive?" and "What do you do for a living?". Sometimes you would also get " Do you own or rent?". It would be nice to get in a little small talk before being measured up financially. Of course, I should expect no less from a community that has bars where it is well known that you must be a top wage earner as a man to even get service let alone a girl to talk to you and these places are no fancier or upscale than many others.

Also, the phrase I love to hate but heard many times is "I am better than you because I make more money."

Americans are shallow materialist and the Japanese are much the same with many Europeans and Asians catching the disease.

[threadbear]

ECM, I don't mean to be crude, but the way you describe the dating game, would it not be simpler to have an arrangement with a prostitute? These people seem to want to be purchased, but do you want to have a long term committment with one?

When we were young, my friends and I never even discussed how much money a guy did or didn't have. It was considered unhip, superficial and parasitic.

[Half-Mad]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NevadaGhosts', '
')
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '"')What's more, Americans are adding refrigerators so they don't have to travel far for a cold drink. "We're seeing that second, third, or fourth refrigerator in a home," says Elliott. "People want a small one upstairs, one in the basement, maybe one in the garage."