Max
Writer and publicist Victoria Barrett asked a question of her followers on Twitter that brought up a lot of difficult memories for people who grew up in poor households.
Barrett characterized herself as a “former poor kid,” indicating she’s moved up the economic ladder in adulthood, but she still remembers what it was like to want things that seem so small, but could break the bank.
She asked, “What are some things you have in your house that you *never* had as a kid, things your not-poor friends would never consider luxuries?”
She offered some examples of her own, all pretty simple items like Kleenex, band-aids, paper towels, and a walk-in closet—The kind of stuff that even middle-class people take for granted as easily accessible:
A few of mine are Kleenex, band-aids, ziplock bags, and paper towels.
— Victoria Barrett (@victoriabwrites) January 20, 2020
Another one for me is an actual bedroom. With a closet in it. Also a car! That works! And another car that works in the same family!
— Victoria Barrett (@victoriabwrites) January 20, 2020
The replies are painful to read, especially if this is an experience you’ve had. It will bring up a lot of memories—or maybe hold up a mirror to your current experience.
For folks who haven’t lived it, reading these answers are a good reminder to appreciate what you have. To someone else, it might be the deepest luxury imaginable.
1.
Some days I remember the weekly laundromat trips fondly, then I wonder if my old age is getting to me. Once in high school the attendant stole some of my clothes, and we saw her wearing them the next week.
— Victoria Barrett (@victoriabwrites) January 20, 2020
2.
Air conditioning, dishwasher, disposable stuff like paper towels to clean with instead of rags that were shirts or socks, ice maker, and I would add the tangential luxury of good grocery stores in an easy commute with good produce and international food.
— Lesley Carhart (@hacks4pancakes) January 20, 2020
3.
Space heater, books not from the library, vegetables not from a can.
— Alan Heathcock (@alanheathcock) January 20, 2020
4.
Certainty.
That my car will start.
That my toilet will flush.
That I can refill my meds.
That my card will be accepted.
That no one will come and take it all away.— Tony @ Setec Astronomy (@tony_bridges_el) January 20, 2020
5.
Uh…space https://t.co/dQBO2bHnoW
— Tristan J. Tarwater (@backthatelfup) January 21, 2020
6.
Hand towels. Ziplock bags. Slippers. A robe. Pillow shams. An ironing board. Mini blinds and curtains. https://t.co/6cSwa6WJDl
— Jess (@EnglishTeach07) January 20, 2020
7.
this thread is rough.
actual tissue paper was a big thing. i got sick a lot and my nose was constantly scabbed from using mcdonalds napkins. used those as TP too https://t.co/9FOEnxNsUv
— ARIA 👑 (@arixdiamond) January 21, 2020
8.
Also, this is not a “thing,” per se, but having pets that you’re able to care for responsibly, spay/neuter, and tend to their veterinary needs. I think back at my childhood and it makes me want to cry.
— Martha (@marthakimes) January 20, 2020
9.
Qtips. Kleenex. Hand soap right next to dish soap. Pillows. Dog treats. Matching socks without holes.
Enough food to last weeks. Shit like that is definitely a tell. The fact I keep a sleeping bag and camp pad in my car, that I bought because I can sleep in it if I need to.— Lauren Hough (@laurenthehough) January 20, 2020
10.
Matching sheet sets on the beds and those matching pajama tops and bottoms (instead of wearing a random oversized t-shirt from an event or something as pajamas)
— DevorahBackman (@BackmanDevorah) January 20, 2020
11.
Also, sanitary napkins and tampons. When I was homeless I used to use folded paper towels from public restrooms. Now I can afford to buy extras for my kids and their friends.
— Rene Denfeld (@ReneDenfeld) January 20, 2020
12.
https://twitter.com/staceyfilak/status/1219088482162872321
13.
Tupperware. Back then it was, “Just put the pot in the damn fridge. I ain’t got money for no plastic bullshit when we got perfectly good pots to keep the food in.” https://t.co/mTjuT9VpUL
— Nathaniel (@_NaKyle) January 21, 2020
14.
https://twitter.com/KevinJosephCMX/status/1219103953008414721
15.
Any name brand product https://t.co/Susj7uYXDf
— Devon Taylor (@DevonTuna) January 21, 2020
16.
Real cheese (as opposed to government cheese).
Brand name cereal in a box (as opposed to “Tasteeos in the
bag).New clothes (as opposed to clothes from Goodwill).
Cash that is green (as opposed to food stamps which were blue an orange).
A microwave, a cable box, a computer.
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) January 20, 2020
17.
https://twitter.com/partyantithesis/status/1219117239452028928
18.
Regular dental appointments
— Granny Weatherwax’s Smirking Revenge 🏳️🌈❤️🖕🏻 (@dadamstowel) January 20, 2020
19.
The ability to buy what we need, when we need it, without having to figure out what other thing has to be cut. If my kid needs clothes, I can buy them without worrying that we might not be able to afford food.
— Sandra Ebejer (@sebejer) January 20, 2020
20.
Biggest one is my own bedroom. More than one pair of shoes. A library of books. Sparkling water. A desk. My own computer. Skin care products. https://t.co/iSA1bocQU0
— Ace – Climate Crisis Mode: Engaged (@TheUrbanAce) January 21, 2020
21.
Cable.
Lack of roaches.— ❄🌜🍞 (@rach_art) January 20, 2020
22.
Healthcare
— Mandalorian stan account (@SteelyDanRather) January 20, 2020
23.
Silence. Growing up it was nothing but noise. Police sirens, gunshots, couples screaming from a domestic violence dispute, people getting jacked for their shoes, drivebys, list goes on. https://t.co/In8OkhGkUr
— Michael Broome (@influential_man) January 21, 2020
24.
Silence—no TV blaring, no one yelling, no babies crying. Peace—no one is angry or stressed because of our home. Safety—no sense of danger or insecurity. Those intangible things stand out more than the material objects.
— Erica Waters (@ELWaters) January 20, 2020
25.
I just remember watching my mom chew her lip while the grocery store clerk rang up our groceries. She was so stressed and would take things off the belt if we went over. My sister and I view wealth as “getting whatever you want at the grocery store”.
— Stefanie Moore (@Fontsensitive) January 20, 2020
26.
Dishwasher, books, dogs living in the house and not exclusively outside (unfixed), snacks, fridge with ice maker and water dispenser (fancy!).
— Natalie Giarratano (@NattyGiarratano) January 20, 2020
27.
