After aerobics class, I overheard two men talking bullshit in the shower (the walls between the changing rooms are very thin), I’ve heard them before, they never seem to tire.
“This party in Norway that’s become part of the government, we call them racist, them and the Danes. But I think we’re the hypocrites. We don’t want to touch our own problems. What are they called? … these hipsters, living on Södermalm and earning 40 000 kronor a month. The men are more women than men, while the women are more men than women, so that you can’t tell them apart anymore. Of course it’s easy to vote for the Green Party then, with 40 000 kronor a month and no children, and be environmentally friendly.”
I didn’t stay to listen to the end of that monologue. I left, feeling angry and dejected.
I live on my student loans. I have 9000 kronor a month, no children of course, but an ordinary Stockholm rent and still manage to buy organic, always, and Fairtrade whenever the option is given. I don’t have a car and I rarely drink alcohol. I cook almost all of my meals myself and mend my clothes whenever possible, because I can’t stand shopping. I buy yarn and love to cook dinner to my friends. I give small monthly donations to the Red Cross, Amnesty International and Greenpeace – and still I can put away some money every month into my travel fund.
It’s all about priorities. And what you’re willing to give up. If you think there is anything bigger to put a little bit extra effort into.
Katja Malmborg 