Opinion
«Help me Thomas, I can’t get in!» How I became my family’s IT support
by Thomas Meyer
Indulge me in my luxury problems
15.10.2020
Translation: machine translated
As soon as someone gets annoyed about things that are reserved for countries with a high standard of living, there are always those who loudly expose the luxury problems. I think that's enough!
"Oh God, always these first world problems!" I recently received this judgement in response to my comments about how I feel restricted in my travel planning due to coronavirus. The plan was to take the train from Zurich to Tbilisi. I wanted to spend three weeks travelling across the Balkans, making short stops to get an impression of the country and its people. The last leg of the journey was to be by bus from eastern Turkey across the border to Georgia. I think of this plan with melancholy. And now, since my colleague's reply, also with shame.
Problem shaming
I no longer felt justified in venting my anger about my shattered holiday dreams. I was overcome with the desire to justify myself and my fellow human beings. It wasn't about a Kuoni package holiday in Antalya, but about travelling. It was about getting to know foreign cultures. I wanted to build bridges, broaden my horizons, experience new things. In a globalised world in which nationalism and segregation are on the rise, travelling is the best way to get a picture from up close and not judge from a distance.
As I let the whole scenario sink in and took time to reflect on myself and others, my position increasingly changed. A fundamental question opened up to me: "Do I have to justify or even be ashamed of things that I find problematic because there are other, objectively speaking, more serious problems?"
Complaining at a high level
Admittedly, travelling is not essential. I can do without it and still have a privileged life. Right now, solidarity outweighs individualism. That's why I cancelled my train journey weeks ago. Nevertheless, travelling is important to me personally. I find it difficult to do without it. I'm annoyed by the constantly changing travel regulations. Not because I think they are wrong or excessive, but because they put a stop to my daydreams. It's not just the journey that I'm denied, but also the colouring of it.
As soon as I perceive something as problematic, it is de facto a problem for me. It's as simple as that. Coherent, referenced arguments are not even necessary. I live in a bubble, in a privileged country, which makes all my problems luxury problems. But they still exist.
I am always aware of my privileges and their randomness. Other people are miserable, they suffer from hunger and flee from wars. I have never experienced such things. They cannot be the yardstick by which I measure the size of my problems. Different living conditions lead to different problems and different perceptions. Or do all my needs become void because others are worse off than me?
As long as I have an awareness of my situation and don't pass judgement on those who are socially or economically worse off with a golden spoon in my mouth, I should also be allowed to have my problems. Corona is hopefully only a temporary phenomenon and my freedom of movement will soon be restored. Until then, we will continue to hear the occasional moan from the ivory tower. Knowing full well that the real problems of the world and humanity won't disappear any time soon. <p
My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.
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