Learning from Society and Its Impact

A Story of Arrogance and Humility

I came across the following story on social media, and it is widely available for everyone to read.

A wealthy young woman was seated next to a poor elderly man on a plane. As soon as she took her seat, she called the flight attendant.

When the attendant arrived, the woman abruptly said, "Find me another seat immediately."

The attendant replied politely, "I'm sorry, ma’am, but the economy cabin is fully booked."

The rich woman, now agitated, said, "I refuse to travel next to a poor beggar. Do something!"

The elderly man looked on in surprise. The attendant, maintaining her composure, said, "Let me check with the captain."

She went to the cockpit and explained, "Sir, a lady is uncomfortable sitting next to a poor old man. What should we do?"

A smile appeared on the captain’s face. He said, "This is interesting! I've never encountered such a situation before. I have an idea..."

Moments later, the attendant returned and announced, "The captain has informed me that there is an available seat in first class. He sincerely apologizes for such an unpleasant travel experience."

The young woman, feeling victorious, proudly stood up, ready to move. But then, to her shock, the attendant turned to the elderly man and said, "Sir, please come with me. A first-class seat has been assigned to you."

The entire cabin erupted in applause.

The Message Behind the Story

This is not an unusual story. We have read and heard similar stories from our elders. I am not concerned about whether this specific story is fact or fiction. What truly matters is the powerful moral lesson it conveys.

Lessons from Personal Experience

During my career at UNDP, I encountered many colleagues who had previously worked for organizations that paid very low salaries. Life was tough for them, and I saw many struggling to cover their family expenses. Some even borrowed money from colleagues in the last week of every month to make ends meet.

However, within a few months of joining UNDP, their lifestyles changed drastically. They quickly bought cars, moved into expensive apartments, and adopted luxurious eating habits. Over time, their lives became even more extravagant, yet they failed to save any money despite earning enough to do so.

Some of them became arrogant, behaving like the richest people—just like the young woman in the story. I had the experience of traveling with such colleagues outside the capital. They always preferred expensive accommodations and lavish meals. When I tried to reason with them, they often dismissed my concerns, saying, "You should enjoy life!"

The Reality of Financial Instability

Years later, some of them faced job losses due to the global funding crisis. Suddenly, their situation changed. The same people who once lived lavishly started telling me, "We can live anywhere now. We’ll sell the car if needed, especially if we don’t find another job." Unfortunately, they had no savings—only debts. I never understood why they felt the need to take loans when they were already earning well.

Although this example is not exactly like the airplane story, both highlight the same lesson: behavior and mindset matter. Arrogance, pride, and flaunting wealth are never wise. Money and status are temporary, but humility and financial wisdom last a lifetime.

Key insights

Never look down on others with hatred or arrogance. No matter your wealth or status, humility is the greatest virtue. Time changes quickly, but our actions define our legacy. Saving money is not just a financial habit — it is a mark of wisdom and responsibility.