A stab at pop-sociology

Do we have a duty of assistance to societies, lest individuals, less fortunate? I was not born silver spoon in mouth. My money, I've generally earnt as payment for work. But what is money if not the most fickle and transient of possessions? I am obligated to share it, and not certainly not begrudgingly. Do I feel like this because someone has deemed my table-clearing skills worthy of a higher wage than another person’s. For the very same work? Under vastly different conditions.

Perhaps, more than money, the price one pays is that of guilt. Not a searing, debilitating form, but a vague and constant hum, only intensified during encounters with the less well off. Sent to jolt us, shaking a couple of coins from one’s well, or not so well lined, pockets. And then off again.

Of course, there’s absolutely no way I ought to be allowed to sit here at my faux marble table, unapproached… sipping sweet coffee, Lonely Planet open, tentatively planning next jaunt. Exploiting the Mexican affordabilities thanks to its under-performing economy, while those it worst affects wave tourist maps and plastic Aztec masks and bags of boiled peanuts at me. I should shamefully and hurriedly finish my muesli and yogurt.