In case anyone cared, I've not been available to participate in our recent discussions. I've been off sampling the Good Life as it's being sold to us working stiffs.

I've just returned from a cruise. It was something of an eye opening experience as I've never done this before. There seems to be a belief -at least at this particular cruise line- that anyone who takes a cruise has far more dollars than sense, for the merchandise offered aboard ship for sale includes pricey clothing and jewellery, "fine" art, and expensive wines. To enter some of the restaurants aboard ship, one must pay a hefty "cover change" per person just to enter the establishment.

As I am but a lucky worker who can afford the fare, I didn't patronize any of this. I managed to restrain myself and stick to the offerings my basic fare allowed me. But even there, I encountered certain behaviors which got me to thinking. One such was the practice at my dinner restaurant of holding your chair for you as you sit, male or female. It's been many decades since I missed planting my seat in a seat! But we were on a ship, and this may well be company policy.

But unfolding my napkin and placing it on my lap for me? Am I seen as so incompetent by staff that I can't do this by myself? Or, is there something else driving this action?

While I still work for a living, many of my various table mates were retired. Were I retired, I really doubt I could afford passage on a ship, and some of their anecdotes supported my idea that their monetary worth greatly exceeded mine. Several had been on many such cruises, while I doubt I'll ever be able to afford another for a long time.

Such monetary worth seems to include a certain naiveté about things I consider daily routine. And this is where my thoughts began to focus.

People with money seem to be accustomed to someone always taking care of them, even down to relatively minor matters. The Steward makes the bed, and sees to your laundry if you wish it done. You don't cook, nor serve food. You are entertained. You are protected. You are kept amused, and someone is always available to hear your complaints and take any warranted actions on your behalf. Assistance is but a phone number away no matter what the issue. The crew lives to serve. The Passenger is Always Correct.

Assuming that my impression is accurate, it might explain why the needs and wants of the lower economic classes don't matter much to the 1%. By deliberate design, none of those issues are deemed important in the slightest compared to whatever whim 1% Me desires at that moment. I am what is important, and not that my assigned servant works 12 hour days 7 days a week for a pittance which doesn't get paid until the labor contract terminates. Aboard my ship, several admitted they hadn't seen home in as many as ten months. At least their employer pays for the airfare home when the service contract ends. I can see where some might not.

Those serving under these conditions tended to be from SE Asia and the former Warsaw Pact nations. Nationalities of those I interacted with included Indonesian, Philippine, Serb, Croat, and Bulgarian. Somehow, I suspect that L-1 visas are at work here. Look it up if you don't understand the implication.

For most of us, such good things come to an end. I'm back at home worrying about paying off the credit card, fixing cars, paying bills, and taking care of myself without paid assistance.

At least I know how to.