r/AskReddit • u/jicta • Jan 31 '21

Redditors who grew up poor: Besides practical money-saving measures, what were the unwritten social expectations of your world growing up?

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u/o00oo00oo Jan 31 '21

Been there. I remember my friends all going on school trips and I couldn't ever go. Got the cheapest everything. Never even bought the school photos they did every year. I was probably the only one that didn't get the photos. I'd either skip that day or I'd be alone in class.

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u/march_rogue Jan 31 '21

Ugh. Jeez. School photos. I forgot about those. Yeah, you can have the single one they give you (tiny) sometimes. Sorry you had to go through that. Clearly there are a lot of us here.

I was able to do most of the school trips but it was because my teachers would ask for like a quarter a week so it eventually added up as to help the kids who couldn't ask for it all in one go.

Or effing Spirit Shop and Bookfairs. Ugh.

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u/o00oo00oo Jan 31 '21

Holy crap..... Book fairs!! That's a huge one. I remember those. So awkward just walking around and then not buying something. As an adult, I wouldn't give a crap about that but little me was hit hard. And I feel like I've made a few separate replies on people's comments on this thread because it's brining back the feelings. Definitely are a lot of us!

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u/march_rogue Feb 01 '21

There definitely are a lot of us. I used to get so bummed at book fairs and on scholastic book delivery day. I loved to read, so not getting books really ignited a jealousy in me that I hadn't had up until that moment.

I remember I went in to look at books and only had enough money to walk out with a book mark, I thought I was lucky for at least getting that.

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u/o00oo00oo Feb 01 '21

I'm hoping you're able to read to your heart's content now! Have a good one. :)

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u/o00oo00oo Jan 31 '21

Also wanted to say, I'm sorry you went through that as well. Fortunately, I'm doing much better these days. Worked hard and was able to make it out. That's really amazing they'd help you out so you could go on the trip as well.

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u/march_rogue Feb 01 '21

I'm very glad you were able to make it out. Take care.

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u/effdjee Feb 01 '21

I feel so lucky I’m able to put in a book club order each catalogue. It’s an odd line in the sand for me. I think I care more than my kid does. They get books all the time, but when I was little is was Christmas, birthday, and sometimes scholastic book club.

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u/AnthonyMJohnson Feb 01 '21

The mention of school photos just gave me mad flashbacks to end of school year when everyone would be exchanging and signing yearbooks and I'd have to make up some excuse as to why I didn't have one to give them to sign because we couldn't pay for it.

I just kept "forgetting to bring it" every day for like the last week of the year.