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WORD COUNT
323
JUNE 18, 2008
WEALTH BRINGS A LOT
OF HASSLES – by Jim Hightower
Time for another peek
into the “Lifestyles of the Rich and Cranky.”
Few of us hoi polloi
realize that it’s not easy being one of the hoity toity. Yes, they do
have all that money, but there’s also constant pressure on them to live
up to expectations. For example, let's talk bathtubs.
To us carefree regular folks, the tub is, a well, a place to take a
bath. For the superwealthy, however, one’s bathtub has to make a
statement. It's not a bathing receptacle, but art -- an expression both
of one’s inner self and external wealth.
Let me ask you this: do you name your bathtub? Of course not, but the
rich do. Take the “Papillion.” It is 1,800-pounds of stunning modernist
sculpture, created from an enormous piece of white
Carrara marble from
Italy. The Papillion costs $23,000 â?" but really, my dears, if you’re
going to be looking at price tags, you probably should be shopping at
Sears.
There’s also the Madera Ovales M4, which sounds as though it might be a
rare Spanish wine, but it’s actually a hand-made tub created with
various pricey woods, from walnut to teak. In truth, it looks very much
like an oversized salad bowl, but, what’s a bathing center for if not to
exude a certain insouciant playfulness? Who knows â?" maybe the rich
bathe in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. And if it’s playfulness you
want, play with the M4â?Ts $40,000 price range.
But like I say, being really rich is not easy. It’s a challenge in
extreme consumerism. If you want to try keeping up with the elite, let
me suggest the “Art Deco,” an elongated tub that’s completely covered on
the outside in hand-tooled Hermes’s leather. It’s a $55,000 tub -- but
I’d advise against putting water in it, because that could stain the
Hermeses.
The next time you think you’ve got problems, remember how tough it is
for the rich.
--
For more information on Jim Hightower’s
work – and to subscribe to his award-winning monthly newsletter, The
Hightower Lowdown, visit
www.jimhightower.com -- A photo of Jim Hightower is available
CLICK HERE
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