Please share your experience with a Miser.
By daliaj
@daliaj (5674)
India
August 3, 2009 5:21am CST
My colleague Mr.S is a miser. He has a good salary, but hesitates to spend.
Here are some of his activities.
1. He doesn't own a vehicle, but takes the ordinary public bus, which offers lowest fare. He won't take Express, Delux, and AC buses.
2. He doesn't eat from resturants unless somebody treats him.
3. Inorder to cut down cost, he eats wheat bread by dipping it in water for breakfast and dinner. He eats a good lunch by dipping the same break in milk, proivided free at office.
4. He doesn't care to get gifts for weddings of colleagues, but attends receptions and fills his tummy.
5. He attends free concerts and exhibitions.
2 people like this
9 responses
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
3 Aug 09
I only see part of that as being a miser, the first one and second one I dont see as anything overly miserly as if we had public transportation I would be using it at least some (that is if I didnt have younger kids). The second one, lots of people dont go out to restaurants.
Now the last ones I find kinda out there! I cant imagine eating like that and I think it is ignorant to just show up at receptions and all without getting the host or the ones getting married something.
1 person likes this
@livewyre (2450)
•
3 Aug 09
What you describe sounds like someone who is very careful with his money - I wouldn't describe him as a miser unless he happily receives from others without ever dipping his hand into his own pocket.
I walk to work twice a week, not because I am a miser - but because I want to save petrol and have more money to spend on my family. There is nothing wrong with any of what you have said, unless he expects presents with no intention of ever buying them himself.
1 person likes this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
4 Aug 09
OMG what is he going to do ? Take it with him to his grave..I have not had that much experience with a miser but I would not think much of your Mr.S, he sounds like he has a major problem to me...I am sure he has No family or children if he does i am sure they are long gone...No one likes a tight stingy person...
@daliaj (5674)
• India
4 Aug 09
Yes, it is very difficult for the family members to adjust with a very stingy person in family. He is thrity eight years old, but not married yet. His parents are very old and have beent taken care by his elder brothers. He has elder brothers who stay with family in a different state. I don't think he visits them often. Thanks for the response.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
4 Aug 09
I have never met a real miser but I also am thrifty, maybe he had a difficult childhood without much money so now hes afraid to spend what he makes, thats sad if it is the case. guys as a whole arent so great on gift giving for anyone as wifee always gets that honor. something has made him sort of a cheapskate but still better these days than a spendthrift. guess it does take all kinds to make this old world, huh?
@daliaj (5674)
• India
4 Aug 09
I agree with you. Now, I feel guilty for making fun of the above guy. I remember him saying that he had a very horrible childhood and his parents suffered a lot due to lack of money to provide good education to him and his brothers. He also said that his father's brothers cheated him and took away the share which is supposed to be Mr.S and his family.
His parents haven't had money to appoint a lawyer and go to court to get the property back. The parents and six kids lived in a two room apartment. I think these issues made him spend wisely and carefully and he ended up living like a miser.
@divkris (1156)
• India
3 Aug 09
Well, well ... your Mr.S seems to be a smart guy who knows the real value of money. But it sounds crazy to have bread with water 
.
I know many people who love doing #2 and #4. I know a family (ah! relatives) that has SIX earning members and still complain (or rather show off) that they don't have enough money! They even have other means of income like rent and invesments that are paying really cool figures. But believe me the whole family goes to attend reception and marriages of people they really don' know and guess what - they either have a very very cheap gift or sometimes fill thier (Eight members) tummy and give no gift!!!
I know you must be saying "tsk, tsk" - and i'm ashamed to call them my relatives
.
I know many people who love doing #2 and #4. I know a family (ah! relatives) that has SIX earning members and still complain (or rather show off) that they don't have enough money! They even have other means of income like rent and invesments that are paying really cool figures. But believe me the whole family goes to attend reception and marriages of people they really don' know and guess what - they either have a very very cheap gift or sometimes fill thier (Eight members) tummy and give no gift!!!
I know you must be saying "tsk, tsk" - and i'm ashamed to call them my relatives@daliaj (5674)
• India
4 Aug 09
I have come aross similar kind of families. I don't think it is fair. Yes, my colleague knows the real value of money, but I think his actions are a little too much. You can always see him with a loaf of wheat bread. He is also intersted to try out colleagues' lunch. Thanks for the response.
@underdogtoo (9579)
• Philippines
3 Aug 09
I have no experiences with a miser. They used to say that my uncle was a miser but he always gave me a shiny coin when I was small.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
3 Aug 09
I don't think your uncle is a miser. It seems he has given you lots of coins. I don't think a miser will ever do that. Hope you will have experiences with misers in the near future. It is intersting to watch their deeds and make fun of it with friends. Thanks for the response.
@daliaj (5674)
• India
3 Aug 09
His acts don't harm anyone, but everybody in my office make fun of him. Some people even go to the extent of cooking stories about him. Sometiems, they make fun of his actions infront of him, but he doesn't care and he won't change. He is the usual topic for all coffee breaks in my office. Thanks for the response.
@tutor19us (455)
• India
3 Aug 09
Wow!
Mr. S seems to be a super cool financial whiz. He seems to know what exactly needs to be done to counter the recession. Maybe he is not capable of eating a decent meal even though he is earning a decent salary. Maybe all his money gets spent on caring for his blind mother, disabled sister, kid brother (Courtsey Hindi films), and rich girlfriend!
@daliaj (5674)
• India
3 Aug 09
Yes, he knows how to deal with recession, but I know him for the last five years. He is always like this even if it is recession or not. I don't think he is spending for his family. His parents are very old and are taken care by his brother in Mumbai. Thanks for the response.
