Monday 13 July 2015

Has the world gone mad?

Or have I just read this wrong?

I think I read that Djokovic made a total of £1.88 million to add to his already large fortune by beating Federer in the Wimbledon final yesterday.  I also think I read that some people paid as much as
£44,000 for a ticket to watch the match.

Watching film of babies being pulled ashore from boats in the Mediterranean, people from sub-Saharan Africa desperate to get into Europe for a 'better life' I cannot help but ask myself the question.  'Are we giving folk the wrong message by bandying about these enormous figures, by paying such enormous sums that a great number of people are now getting so rich that it is impossible for the rest of us to even imagine the sums involved?'

I am a retired teacher and I manage nicely on my teacher's pension and my old age pension - but I cannot even imagine what having a million pounds is like.   And what is more, I have absolutely no desire to find out.
 

18 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Income inequality worldwide is getting worse not better. Not sure what I, who am in a similar financial position as you, can do about it. In the US they need to increase the minimum wage and look at the compensation for CEO's. Obviously if you are in a responsible position you need to make more than an average worker - but not 200 times as much.
Much has been written about this.
One only hopes that those with lots of money make large charitable contributions.
Anyway - enjoy the summer weather while it lasts!

Cro Magnon said...

And look what trouble I got myself into recently by suggesting that the really poor children of Africa and elsewhere were more deserving than those who already have enough.

1.8 Million is a good day's work!

jinxxxygirl said...

I have to agree that we pay our actors and athletes too much... I think most everyone would agree with that. Husband and i have a decent retirement.... not great... but we've worked hard to get here... I can remember when my daughter was little that if we ran out of milk in the middle of the week there was no money to get more... I always fed her first and just split what was left between hubs and i... we've become financially secure (somewhat) later in life and it was all thru working hard, making good decisions and good deal of luck... Hugs! deb

The History Anorak said...

It's kind of like a Tory government setting the national 'living' wage at just over £16,000 a year while awarding themselves more than £67,000. But someone must have voted for them!

thelma said...

Inequality seems to be the 'norm' nowadays, and one can only hope the rich get properly taxed for a more even spread of the money. I don't know the answer to 'fat cats', but LS and my combined income from pensions is not anywhere near the average, way below in fact but we survive quite happily.
Never do the lottery by the way because I would find a surplus of money an embarrassment, and would just dole it out to family and charities I think worthwhile.....

Anonymous said...

It does seem a vast sum. I'm not sure I could justify it to myself.

Heather said...

That is an obscene amount for a ticket to watch anything - the price would soon come down if no-one paid it. The original Wimbledon champions received a glass vase I believe and no cash at all. How times have changed. I think many sports have been spoiled by becoming so commercialised. Yes, I think the world has gone mad and will most likely continue to do so.

Mac n' Janet said...

I think athlete, actors and others of that ilk are vastly overpaid. People are always railing against corporate salaries being too high, but at least they're producing something, building companies, providing jobs, while the others do nothing.
I wouldn't turn down more money, but I don't need it.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

I will just say this: Love the new header.
:) m & jb

Gwil W said...

They can and should trace that overpriced ticket back to the source and publicly expose the culprit. You'd be surprised at some the names that spring to my mind. Or maybe not.

Carolyn H said...

Not only are athletes (and actors) overpaid, I've never quite understood why people who earn so much less are willing to pay such high amounts to watch the athletes play what are essentially children's games. And don't even get me started about actors who go through life saying other people's words.

Joanne Noragon said...

The world is out of balance. Something will happen.

Terry and Linda said...

I love, love, love your header!!!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for your wise comments. As you say, we can do little about it. I have never done the Lottery and have no desire to win any money. We are happy as we are. But I am pleased you all seem to agree that some of the sums bandied about are obscene.

john said...

Look at the amount that will be spent in the 2016 election here in the United States. The world is going nuts. Love reading your blog. Jon B

Rachel Phillips said...

I remember my mother saying something similar when Bjorn Borg was always winning Wimbledon. He was rich in his time.

John Going Gently said...

Nurses charge / get 15 £ an hour
My garage charges 50 £ an hour for labour
Go figure

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I've just done a calculation:
If I continue working at my present rate of pay (and manage not to spend any money at all) I shall have £1.88 million by the time I'm 165. The land of opportunity!