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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA Story to renew your faith in the wealthy folks in US.
I live in a college town. A friend of mine lost her mother after a long illness in January of 2013. Her house was a lovely 3 bedroom home close to campus. She and her husband worked hard to keep their home up to date, original hardwood floors, new bathrooms and kitchen, new windows and doors etc.
When Polly put the house on the market after her mother died she did not anticipate it taking forever to sell. When it did not sell after 7 months on the market they decided to rent it and then put it back on the market when the economy improved. She tried to screen the applicants as best she could.
A nice young woman, a student and her twin sister, both Seniors in their last year, came with their mother and dad to look at the house. It seemed like a great fit, they were going to rent it with another friend each would have their own room. Mom and Dad signed the lease along with the girls as insurance that the property would be maintained. Mom and Dad drove up in a new S class Mercedes, daughters in new BMW's if you get the idea.
The girls graduated this summer and moved out a week ago, never late with rent, yard always taken care of no outward sign of damage. Polly called me the day after they moved in tears, the place was trashed. The bathrooms and kitchen had not been cleaned in forever, the floors in both bathrooms and the kitchen were beyond being cleaned. Food had been left in the fridge already rotten before they moved. Stains all over the walls, the hardwood floor in the dining room was ruined by what looked like a keg that had been left to leak all over the floor.
She didn't know what to do, the cell phone the girls had given her on the lease no longer was in service. I told her since Mom and Dad were listed on the lease call them. She did, the Mom asked for pictures, she sent them electronically. Not more than 10 minutes later Mom called Polly in tears. She was mortified that her kids would do that to someone's property. She said not to touch a thing, they would drive up from Texas that evening when her husband got home.
They arrived with all three girls in tow. Girls did NOT look like they had a great trip back to campus. Dad asked for keys, said they would be there a couple of days making things right. We thought they would pay to have it fixed, no, they told those girls to roll up their sleeves and get busy. Neighbors said those girls worked like dogs for 3 days to fix that place, they painted, they helped their Dad replace the floors, Mom and Dad bought a new fridge and dishwasher (both were beyond being cleaned), they even washed all of the windows inside and out. The last day Dad and Mom came by with the keys and the girls. The girls apologized to Polly and asked to see a picture of her parents who had lived there, then they began to cry. Mom and Dad handed Polly and envelope and left. Inside the envelope was a nice card and $1500 dollars (she had already kept their 500 deposit).
I thought it was important to share this since we do tend to trash the rich here on DU, rightfully in many cases. I looked up the Dad on the net, he is the President of a fairly large oil exploration company, but he is self made, nothing was left to him. I bet those girls will not forget this any time soon. They are young women but I think Mom and Dad felt they needed this last life lesson.
enlightenment
(8,830 posts)I'm glad your friend had her encounter with some of them.
I am a bit bemused by your "beyond cleaning" concept, however. Yes, a hardwood floor can be damaged beyond repair, but the rest? Tile, unless broken, can be cleaned. Grout can be cleaned. Refrigerators, even filled with spoiled food can be cleaned - as can dishwashers. Cleaning very dirty things takes hard work and grit and can be very unpleasant, but most things can, indeed, be cleaned.
Could you elucidate on what you mean when you write that statement?
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)The tile in the kitchen and bathroom were stained by something, we are not sure whether it was something spilled and not cleaned up or just had been left for dirt to grind in. We had a professional cleaning service come in and they said the kitchen floor and the grout were beyond being brought back to it's original state (new when they moved in). The dishwasher had so food that had been allowed to build up in the drain in the bottom, it would not run, a repairman said it would be very difficult to repair. The fridge, like the dishwasher had tons of rotten foot particles in the drain in the bottom, we removed the drain pan and tried to replace that the fridge was still not operating properly. According to her mom it took them half a day to scrape the food off the sides of the fridge and try to clean it with bleach, she determined the girls were going to have to buy two new appliance on their dime which they did.
The hardwood was pretty bad in the dining room, beyond being able to sand it down as they did the rest of the hardwood in the house.
I would love to send pictures but it isn't my house. I can honestly say I cleaned apartments for a living when I was in school and I have never seen anything to compare to this mess.
I don't think you would have been bemused if you had seen it live and in color.
enlightenment
(8,830 posts)simply asking for more information because like you, I've cleaned some pretty awful things in my life. Thank you for offering it.
MH1
(17,600 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)I've known some wealthy people myself who were kind and generous. I've also known a few who were raving assholes (I once worked in the trust department of a large bank, and if you want to find rich assholes that's a good place to start - some of the clients were doozies). There have been studies indicating that having money tends to make one more inclined toward selfishness, but obviously that doesn't happen to everybody. The parents you described may have nipped their daughters' tendencies toward assholery in the bud, and good for them.
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)I'm glad they took that approach, those girls were very surprised their parents took the course of action they did.
Iggo
(47,565 posts)PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)"faith in the wealthy"
Unless this is sarcasm, I do not see what it is doing here.
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)I have been very critical of the one percent here and elsewhere, I am trying to become a little more tolerant but this is really the wrong place for any tolerance.
PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)Your OP could have been, "Hey look, these people helped my friend"
Honestly, if the lease was written half way decent, they would have been on the hook for that damage anyway. They probably jumped in to avoid a potential lawsuit that could have racked up much more expenses for them.
Yes, I ended up reading it.
edit - how about the MILLIONS of poor people who scrub and clean every square inch of their rental before moving out, because they can not afford to give up any of the damage deposit? These people did nothing special. All they did was what should have happened in the first place. But, because they are wealthy and do the right thing, they should be held up as some great example? I do not get it.
Duppers
(28,127 posts)Pick, pick, pick.
PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)and
Are NOT the same thing imo. Please help me understand.
LordGlenconner
(1,348 posts)You can say that again.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)It is your thread. I agree with every word you said.
mopinko
(70,208 posts)i find that most folks who came up the hard way stay decent. a lot of them succeed because they are decent.
some get broken by it, or do it because they are broken.
i have been very lucky in my life. wouldnt call myself wealthy, but lucky. no worries.
but i always try to give back. always.
i am not alone, i know.
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)I heard the Dad say a couple of times, you need to understand how hard people have to work for what they have.
PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)it is a term used by the right wing to allow for the abuse of the underprivileged.
mopinko
(70,208 posts)dont put words in MY mouth. i clearly meant someone who worked for what they have as opposed to inheriting it, or getting it by other, sleazy means.
PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)I did not put it there. Words have meaning. If you "clearly" meant something else why didn't you say something else. "Self made man" is the realm of right wing libertarians.
joeglow3
(6,228 posts)...the shortcomings of others, is there?
PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)Sorry that it offends some people. No, not really.
Look, back in '04 when I was new here, I also posted language that was viewed as right wing. It is the language I had been exposed to in my past. I was hounded for it back then. Over time and reading many posts from people who had much more experience than I, I got to understand the reasons for jumping on people's use of language in political conversation. I am still learning by reading this board. Recently my teacher has been redqueen. Reading her posts has helped me to understand much more about how our patriarchal language and actions affect women. Do I agree with all of it, no. But, I am open to changing and introspection as to why I think how I do and how that could be changed to better the cause of all humans.
joeglow3
(6,228 posts)I had friends who are twins. Their dad died at a young age from ALS. Their mom had severe medical issues and was on disability. They started working what odd jobs they could find at 13. Once they could legally get a job at 14, they worked as many hours as possible. They helped make house payments, bought their own clothes, helped buy food, etc.
One is now a physical therapist living in a $500,000 house (average home here is about $130,000) and the other got his MBA in international business from Thunderbird. I call bullshit on your god-like declaration that by me saying they are self-made I am furthering the right-wing agenda.
But you go on telling everyone how right you are and wrong they are. There is nothing more exhilarating than that, huh?
PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)or choose not too, and that is why the country is so right wing...
joeglow3
(6,228 posts)You really just have to keep pointing out how superior you are. Does it really feel THAT good?
PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)Very smart "self made" young man...
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)Democratic grandfather and father use for years??? Now everything has a right or left meaning, so silly.
kentauros
(29,414 posts)Everything must be interpreted through the lenses of class, stature, and politics.
I loved your story by the way, and have known some fine wealthy people in my life (all in Texas, where I still live.)
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)"If you "clearly" meant something else why didn't you say something else..."
Efficient shorthand for the rational thinker. Much as the 17 year old neighbor who told me last month she had "discovered" the Beatles. Well-- I could have been a petulant ass and informed her that no-- the Beatles were discovered in the early sixties, but as I both understand what she was telling me and am not a petulant ass, I smiled, and told her what my favorite Beatles album is that I "discovered" in 1979...
PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)Her discovery. Your discovery. They are both firsts for you, you each discovered for yourself.
Self-made man? Name one. You can't, there is no such thing. The term is used to discount EVERY other person who has helped along the way in your life. It is a used to further the status quo of an unjust system. It is spewed by right wing libertarians constantly.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)Or is he not "self-made" because the Yankees hitting coach helped him with his swing?
I didn't realize that the phrase "self-made" was now a no-no. Is there a snappy alternative for "someone who is rich now but did not inherit a significant amount of money"?
mopinko
(70,208 posts)you can try. but that would be, well, sort of lying. since i just clarified what i said.
i was raised dirt poor. i got lucky. i still have the same values.
i am as un-livertarian as they come. you are missing the point of the op with your language police schtick.
so, um, i think that makes you, um, WRONG.
sorry.
tk2kewl
(18,133 posts)best case scenario they would have asked for an estimate and written a check
more likely the situation would have required a civil suit
TheKentuckian
(25,029 posts)Yes, he was generous and didn't just bail the kid out but it was his kid who needed a life lesson as not to be an utter fuckwit in due time.
Orsino
(37,428 posts)Getting the names and numbers of the wealthy in question, with the likelihood of civil or criminal liability, works wonders in policing their behavior.
It is a nice story, though, and a useful reminder thatvwealthy does not necessarily equal evil.
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)They didn't and not only did the girls clean he did as well. I've worked with lots of rich kids over the years in higher ed and that was one of the first times I have seen rich parents actually try to teach them some common courtesy. I know it isn't a "great thing" but it was to me, opened my eyes to my intolerance.
Unvanguard
(4,588 posts)redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)I didn't tell it to have it taken apart, although I should have guessed it would be here . It has been a rough week, I didn't think the loss of Robin Williams would impact me the way it has, made me sad, made me want to look for some good which is why I told the story.
I have found I need to take a break from DU from time to time. I don't post much because people can be so hateful that it wears on you. During the election cycle I limit myself so I don't go out in the world hating everyone who doesn't think like I do .
Thank you for the kind words.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)But I get your point - I don't usually write about incidents I've witnessed or conversations I've had or overheard or things I've said or done, because I know they will be questioned and picked apart, complete with accusations of having made the whole thing up or using the "wrong" words, which "proves" I must be a right-wing troll. I enjoy DU most of the time, and there's lots of great information and plenty of great people, but there is just enough irrational hatefulness that sometimes it does suck.
I'm glad you posted. It was a good thing those parents did.
Peace.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)I use Facebook. Never any hate or unfounded accusations.
uppityperson
(115,679 posts)and I hope the kids learned a big lesson.
I understand what you are meaning here, about Robin Williams death and DU. I appreciate the goodness.
leftstreet
(36,112 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)The religious definition is secondary. The word 'faith' is frequently used in purely secular ways. See
The Full Faith And Credit Clause' for an example.
It is sad to see people who think 'faith' is an exclusively religious concept because it is not.
leftstreet
(36,112 posts)Although I don't see your distinction changes much. No one should have 'confidence or trust in someone' simply because of wealth
Good grief
el_bryanto
(11,804 posts)benefit society. That's to be applauded.
That said, it doesn't change the underlying structure of society, which is becoming more and more unequal as corporations gain more power and workers lose what little power they have. Noblesse oblige, while nice in its own way, can't make up for the strong regulation of corporations, a well built safety net, and a vibrant union movement.
Bryant
LordGlenconner
(1,348 posts)As someone else said, I find people who didn't grow up with wealth and maybe earned some money on their own (or whatever the fuck that is supposed to be called now in the DU lexicon) generally are less likely to be assholes than people born on third base. Obviously individual results may vary and anecdotes shouldn't be weighed too heavily against the overall problem of wealth inequality in the country.
Anyway, ignore the rain clouds.