My life abroad sometimes magnifies the fact that I truly
have 1st world problems. The
term 1st world problems refers to the fact that the things that
concern me are what people in 3rd world countries might roll their
eyes at or not even comprehend because they have more survival based issues going on. This week I discussed an
upcoming vacation to Egypt. I asked my
friend if the sand at the hotel’s beach would be soft or rocky. I started to pout over the fact that I would
need to wear water shoes. I had to stop and laugh with her over how bratty I sounded. I have the privilege of visiting Egypt and
spend days at a beautiful beach, but I’m worried about whether the sand is soft
enough.
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| This is my favorite local beach in Kuwait. The sand is pretty nice. If the sand in Egypt is too rocky, this sand will be waiting for me when I return. |
I can compare this conversation to a series of conversations
that I have had with a taxi driver who drives me around on a regular basis
When going to pick my mother up from the airport:
Driver: you are excited to see your mother? How long since you last saw her?
Me: I haven’t seen
her since September
Driver: My mother in
Bangladesh. I have not seen her in 13
years. Too expensive
Me: Wow
Conversation after picking me up at my apartment
Driver: Madame, is this a teacher building?
Me: yes it is for teachers and staff who work at my school
Driver: How many
people live in your flat?
Me: Just Me
Driver: You don’t share?
Me: no
Driver: How many
beds?
Me: Two. Do you share
your flat?
Driver: yes, with 6 or 7 other men
Me: silently just thanking God
In my travel, I sometimes get the opportunity to see that
other people do jobs for SURVIVAL that I would never even consider doing. I have never had to consider accepting a
position as a bathroom attendant or someone who request tips in exchange for
toilet paper at a tourist attraction. My
apartment building in Kuwait has two security workers. These gentlemen don’t seem to have days
off. They work 12-hour shifts day in and
out. I’ve learned that they earn a very
small salary in exchange for their labor.
During a recent trip to Jordan, we visited the ancient city of
Petra. There were lots of children
asking and begging us to purchase their souvenirs. While some of these children were downright
annoying, I had to be grateful that my family never required me to skip school
and sell goods or engage in child labor to help pay the bills.
 |
| These little boys are selling my mother postcards in Petra |
I don’t have survival-based problems. I have clean drinking water. All of my needs are met. Lots of my “wants” are met as well. I am really thankful for my 1st
world problems such as:
·
Should I hire a cleaning lady? I have time to clean, but I just want
somebody else to do it for me. A
cleaning lady’s services cost about $100/month for 4 visits. I’m going to pass because that’s $1,000 that
I can use toward a great vacation or a flight home.
·
I’m going to have to drive myself around again
when I go back to the USA. I’ve become
accustomed to being chauffeured.
·
I’m going to have to bag my own groceries when I
return home…. And put them in the car myself.
Here there are usually a few men waiting at checkout to do that for you.
·
My internet connection is not as fast in my apt.
here as it was in North Carolina. I have
to wait like…5 extra seconds for things to load. And sometimes my shows pause
for buffering.
·
Sometimes I don’t know which of the 50+ possible
restaurant options I want to choose to deliver dinner to my door.
 |
| 1st world problems |
Do you have these kinds of problems? If you do, you might want to take a moment
and count your blessings.
