I've heard it a million times. People have criticized us for not being flashy, for my kids wearing Crocs (years ago before they were popular).
They'd even criticize my Dad for not driving his car anymore. My Dad always snapped back (in his NY kinda attitude) and put people in their place. "The owner rides in the back" he would say.
On the other hand people that are close to us have complimented us for being down to earth and not trying to keep up with the Jones' or is it the Gonzalez's?
It's all relative, and certainly not a DR state of mind only.
In New York, it's tough to pay rent, utilities, amenities, and lead a comfortable, sustainable lifestyle. People here do what many others have done; share living quarters, bills, ration themselves, etc.
People lead lives as prescribed by their personal priorities. If you only care to impress, you will make decisions accordingly. Conversely, like the Spanish saying goes: "No tienes con que caerte muerto"... If you worry about things such as putting food on the table, having a rainy day fund, retirement income, then most of your productive worker life is normally spent stashing money away like squirrels stash away nuts.
Younger people don't think about this because they're likely busy boosting their ego impressing women and friends. As you get older, these vanities are usually replaced with whatever current realities at hand. Not to say there's exceptions to the norm. I'm 34 and by no means I care to impress anyone. Ten years ago, however, I can think of several stupid mistakes I've made with money with the motto in mind: "You only live once".
I'll never understand why people can't respect each other's choices in life. Class really is a state of mind.
