Monday 25 January 2016

Not popular

Ilona's cheery face came up in my news feed on Facebook this morning as her story in the local paper has been picked up by the national press, and she has featured in the Daily Mail and the Mirror - or at least, she is on their websites.

What troubles some people is the nature of the comments that the general public has put on the websites as a response to the articles - and they are not all very pleasant, I have to say.  There are some supportive comments, some from people like us who read Ilona's blog, and some who think that they could learn something if they did head over and read the blog for the first time - so I predict a surge of new readers for Ilona!

But, unfortunately, there are a lot of derisive comments, and they are quite horrible in places.  It makes me think of the old adage, "If you've nothing nice to say, say nothing!" but on the other hand, some would say that folk have the right to express their opinions.  Mmmm - I know what I think!

The bottom line is that thrift and frugality are misunderstood by the general population, which does not seem to grasp the difference between thrift and meanness - and there is no concept of my own underlying desire to keep out of debt and to pay my way without having to use credit.  What a lot of us frugal/thrifty/super-scrimping bloggers do on a day to day basis is not what the majority of the population does - and there seems to be an attitude of superiority over us - that we eat unhealthily, eat food not fit for consumption [thank goodness Ilona doesn't use Approved Foods or they would really have had a go - out of date food? whatever next?!] and we are generally mean and miserable people!  They haven't got a clue of the sense of freedom I have from not being a slave to modern fashion, the requirement of society to replace things before they are worn out, and the desire to avoid waste, for example.  They forget that the Queen is famous for being thrifty and is known for walking round the palaces, turning off the lights, and is quite fond of scrambled eggs on toast for tea at home when she is not out and about.

You carry on, Ilona - we're right behind you!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I left a huge comment on the daily mail. Putting across more of ilona' creativity, craft, charity work, animal rescuing, exercise, recycling and how sociable she is, I've met her and she's a marvel with a heart of gold

Gill - That British Woman said...

I agree, well said.

Kezzie said...

Well said! I don't read the gutter presses (sorry that makes me sound snobby but I hate the tabloids!) nor am I on Facebook or other social media so I hadn't realised they'd taken it up- how horrid people are!!!! x

Caz.P. said...

Pathetic isn't it ? All they seem to have picked up on is Ilona's comment by email, to the lady who was going to do the interview, " bring a tea bag" if you want a cup of tea. Ilona is a coffee drinker. I'm sure it would have been said "tongue in cheek" as well. I have a bag that Ilona sent to me. She isn't mean at all. She gives plenty of things away and also helps any good cause.

Meanqueen said...

Thank you, I will. You are right about people not understanding why we choose to live within our means. There are so many who think it is normal to borrow money, use plastic, and get into the overdraft. I am often accused of being a miserable sad old lady. The people who read my blog know the truth. I don't give a monkeys what they think.

SusanM said...

I had to laugh at some of the comments made about this article as these people clearly do not know the Ilona we know and love through her blog. She is a wonderful person with a huge heart; she is incredibly kind and caring towards people and animals. She is confident and has her priorities sorted out. Too many of my generation are going to be up to their necks in mortgages and debt by the time we are her age because they are too concerned about what other people think. Well done Ilona!! You are an inspiration to many of us.

On a different note, you mentioned Shakespeare. Spark notes and Cliff notes (think I've got that right) may be useful xx

Sandra Ann said...

Ilona you are a star :-). I won't read the gutter press would much rather read your blog instead! X

Bless said...

Those of us who try to live within our means and read the blog know the read story. Others prefer to scoff at the idea of frugal living.

Just the other day, one of my relatives (retired) moaned about finances and said she needs to find another job. Silly me tried to give her some helpful hints about cutting back on spending - put herself on a budget, eat out less, buy fewer clothes, etc. Each idea was shot down with, "Oh, I can't do that." Not much I could say, after that.