Pride, jealousy and generosity regarding exotics

I have no problem with people giving their money away, its when they wish to tax me and give my money away I have an issue. You have to wonder what percentage of the U2 fortune Bono has given away with all his debt relief talk. Do you think Bono lives on $300,000/year and gives the rest away? I highly doubt it.

 

There are a lot of closet idealists out there driving Ferraris.

 

Just be a good person and the rest will take care of itself.

 

couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Perfect answer. I live my life by those rules. Help if/when you can and treat others with respect.
Help doesn't always need to come in the form of $$$$ by the way.
Give a person a meal and he eats for a day. Teach him how to earn his own meal and he eats for the rest of his life.

John

 

Not me. I have given a few homeless guys a ride IN the Ferrari. YES I really did. I did it just for fun. One of the guys couldn't figure out what the deal was. I saw him digging for food in a dumpster. He saw me and said "nice car". I told him "thanks", then asked if he was hungry. Of cource he replied "yes", so I said to jump in. The look on his face was just brilliant, hahahahaha. So I gave him a ride to a fast food joint and gave him $20 bucks. Then to top it off the looks of the people at the place, when this homeless dude gets out of a Ferrari. Hahahahahaaaaa. Man I tell you, it was worth it to put up with his smell just for the reactions.

 

Its an interesting question. I think as long as one keeps a good sense of humility and perspective about perceived success and/or material possesions it should not be an issue. I would guess many folks do indeed have a complex about there wealth and like to fly under the radar and drive ordinary cars, live in ordinary houses etc! as not to bring attention to themselves. There's no right and wrong, to each his own.

 

Not directed at you. I am simply under the impression that most folks will act on their own needs, whims and desires (first) without thinking about the lesser fortunate at that moment.

How many guys on this board (after getting the call) would drive to their local dealer to put in their build order, see a homeless guy outside the dealership window, fold over their checkbook and say, "You know what? I shouldn't be doing this. Just look at that poor guy."

Charity is a personal thing that can't be judged in terms of $$ amounts.

Unfortunately, most people don't do anything but think "Wouldn't it would be great IF......"

 

Thanks.

Can you imagine later when he was trying to convince his other homeless buddies that he got a ride in a Ferrari. LOL. Oh that would have been really funny.

 

I've read your post a couple of times and I think I understand what you are asking. Is it: Where and when should philanthropy begin?; and/or: Should exotic owners be less 'thin-skinned' to thoughtless/insensitive comments made during casual encounters with others?; And/or: is it proper to be proud of the fact of exotic ownership?
I don't want to change the direction of your thread, so correct me if I am mistaken! This could prove an interesting discussion...
Keith

 

Yet some do.

"Wouldn't it be great IF......", I were homeless and someone gave me a ride in a Ferrari and $20.

Do unto other has you would have them do unto you.

 

The concept of "balance" is a perfect description.....

Bear in mind I have pretty economical Ferraris so I'm the low end of the scale.

While the perception among my peers is that it's extravagant, the fcat is no one in my life goes neglected because of the hobby. If I miss a meal or economize in other areas to make it happen, no one is the worse for it.

In addition the cars at one time were a lightning rod for interest that I channeled into Child Advocates, a very worthwhile effort dealing with abused children here in Houston, Texas.

It has also been wonderful to be The World's Fastest Art Car. To quote Amanda as we went through last year's Parade throwing kisses..."I LOVE all you people....", and while it's all big party fun to her, I derive HUGE heart filling satisfaction to tour the schools the week prior to the parade talking cars and helment safety to wide eyed grade schoolers. They don't know I'm not Schumi himself, and more to the point they could care less! I sign posters and autographs as if I were! LOL!

And I've posted before but this thread is a great opportunity to repeat it. The last two years I've been with the group that ends at the Lighthouse for the Blind, where they feel the curves of the car, the supple leather driving gloves, the hardness of the helment...........the heat rising from the engine vents........

Let me tell you all, leaving there, police cycle escorts flashing, sirens blaring...heading downtown for a complimentary luncheon.....the sky turns a REAL BRIGHT shade of blue, you know?

Transportation Day is great as well, letting about 300 lil' feet trample across the front seats as I chat with the guys in the Fire Truck and Police helicopter....in a town of 3 million, when they go over my house on patrol, I wave....they bank a turn, and wave back..

Give the love away man, it comes back around, tenfold.......and never look over the fence and try to count other folk's money....it cannot buy happiness!

Good thread...thanks!

 

OK, here's one:

What do you say about a guy who only gives enough (to charity) to meet the annual minimum charity requirement to stay in good standing at his country club?

Keep in mind, its a set percentatge of his income and he makes about 10MM per year....audited.

 

Lo! I see many responses since I started writing the above!
Keith

 

Not unlike yourself, we live in a rural area, where many, if not most, of the other residents are living at a (very old-school term) "lower middle-class" economic level. (one of the early demographic-based marketing research firms labeled it as "pickups & shotguns"). The sight of my cars on the island is totally out of their understanding of the normal order of things.
Even if we do get past the "how much does that thing cost?" point in the ferry-line discussion, for the most part they can't think of how anyone would be able to have such a car. "don't I have kids?" "oh, you must be a Microsoftie", etc. Most work relatively low-paying construction jobs, many have only seasonal work, others have to commute off-island daily, still others work in "tourism" which is code for "low-paying/menial/service". It's a costant sense of living in a different 'universe' from many people, and it's not realistic to simply fob it off on "I work hard so............'em".
It's actually good for me, because if I were to ever forget how fortunate/smart I've been in work and life, these conversations and sideglances will remind me about "the real world" of many other people, and I can readjust my own actions if needed.
In the end, it doesn't make me feel at all bad about owning Ferraris; but it does help keep my perspective in balance.....

James
(great to see this kind of discussion here!)

 

Its great to see there are people on this board who at a minimum stop to think about the plight of others.

Someone once said "Integrity is defined as what you do when no one is watching."

I get the feeling there are a few here who would pass that test with flying colors.

 

I say smart guy. Plus it's a tax write off.

 

I guess it depends on the percentage.

1/2 a percent I might take him aside.
10% I wouldn't say a thing.

Erich