Acquiring items
In his latest column, Christoph Sonntag, a renowned writer and columnist, delves into the distinction between "buying" and "getting" through a personal anecdote.
The story revolves around Sonntag's desire for a cassette recorder in the fifth grade. Faced with the high price of 250 marks, Sonntag embarked on a mission to save the necessary amount. He collected every 50-pfennig piece and even exchanged small change for tram tickets at an underground garage to gather the remaining 69 marks.
This process, Sonntag emphasises, highlights the importance of the connection between earning, buying, and getting. "Buying" is more than just acquiring an item; it involves effort, planning, and conscious choice. In contrast, "getting" something may imply receiving it passively or without personal investment.
Sonntag's anecdote also underscores the significance of the moment when one can finally "buy" something. The item is not just instantly obtained; instead, it is earned through foregoing other expenses or desires. This active engagement with money and value gives "buying" a more meaningful relationship to possessions.
The columnist recalls a conversation about Nike Air Max 270 shoes that took place on a tram, where a young man asked another about the shoes. In the midst of the conversation, Sonntag intervened, correcting the young man who had said the other person had merely "got" the shoes. Sonntag explained that the person had actually "bought" them, emphasising the deliberate and value-driven process involved.
Sonntag's story serves as a reminder that the act of saving money to buy something is a metaphor for the value we attach to our possessions. By setting the item's value in personal effort and choice, we deepen our appreciation for it and the process of acquiring it.
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