Austrian millionaire gives away his fortune... - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Super Nintendo Chalmers · 02-09-2010, 10:19 PM

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For many years, he said, he was simply not "brave" enough to give up his comfortable existence.

I must be downright heroic.

To Be Quite Honest · 02-09-2010, 10:21 PM

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Originally Posted by JFK

I understand the staff being phony, but why doesn't he think any of the other guests were 'real'? When you travel, it's not like the other tourists know or care how wealthy you are, nor do they expect handouts.

If you're paying $3000 per night for a suite like everyone else around you, you're not poor. Sure he didn't say this but he did say:

"In those three weeks, we spent all the money you could possibly spend."

Imagine how much you could possibly spend? What's a $50.00 tip?

Now in the time it took you to fully take the time to visualize this I think you turned into a dink.

dj_patm · 02-09-2010, 10:34 PM

I wonder if he likes Papa Johns...

Hemi-Cuda · 02-10-2010, 12:46 AM

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Originally Posted by ClubFlames

If he really wants to give it away then he should give part of it to the people in Haiti. They need the money more than anyone else at the moment.

i'd say it's the exact opposite, charities like the one he is donating to are completely overshadowed by the Haiti situation which has already received billions. his 5 million would be a drop in a huge bucket there, while to a smaller charity like that microloan place it would make a huge difference

Jayems · 02-10-2010, 12:53 AM

I always think of this quote from Jim Carrey about how being rich is nice, but isn't everything.

Quote:

That's the trouble with being me. At this point, nobody gives a damn what my problem is. I could literally have a tumor on the side of my head and they'd be like, 'Yeah, big deal. I'd eat a tumor every morning for the kinda money you're pulling down.'
Jim Carrey

TSXCman · 02-10-2010, 01:00 AM

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Originally Posted by ClubFlames

If he really wants to give it away then he should give part of it to the people in Haiti. They need the money more than anyone else at the moment.

Holy...

People are discriminating against the other islands now, Haiti has to get everything?

When was the last time numerous people dropped large sums of money on an island like Hawaii or whatnot

Sidney Crosby's Hat · 02-10-2010, 01:30 AM

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Originally Posted by TSXCman

When was the last time numerous people dropped large sums of money on an island like Hawaii or whatnot

It happens every day.

Cowperson · 02-10-2010, 07:53 AM

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Originally Posted by Kybosh

I'm inclined to agree. I have so little money all that time that an increase in money would directly increase my happiness levels.

Money itself isn't necessarily important . . . . . it's a lack of money that's important.

You most notice the impact of money when you don't have it.

Frankly, I think this guy is a little disturbed if he thinks every staff member or other guests in a Hawaiian hotel who said hello to him was doing so purely because of their evaluation of his relative richness. I was just on Maui and even though I know it's part of the training for hotel staff to offer a hello and a smile I still appreciated it and didn't mind reciprocating in kind even fore-armed with the knowledge they were nothing more than poor serfs.

You would really wonder about the mental health of someone who feels who he has to go from one extreme to the other, that there is no intermediate area where he could experience happiness.

I wish him well in poverty but I get the feeling he's going to miss his

"3,455sq ft villa with lake, sauna and spectacular mountain views over the Alps, valued at $2.34 million and his beautiful old stone farmhouse in Provence with 42 acres, on the market for $1 million."

I know I would.

Frankly, I think he is a silly person.

Cowperson

Nufy · 02-10-2010, 08:10 AM

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Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

And his wife didn't have him killed ?? Good wife!

Fixed...

Ya gotta plan these things out......No connection to the crime right......

4X4 · 02-10-2010, 08:44 AM

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Originally Posted by Nufy

Fixed...

Ya gotta plan these things out......No connection to the crime right......

Yep, the life expectancy of a hobo is pretty short. Especially with CC and Locke still on the loose.

zuluking · 02-10-2010, 10:21 AM

I like how he's talking to the media about it and making it into a big deal. Methinks this will provide for much ego-stroking for years to come. He'll get the same type of attention that he got as a rich dude except it will be for circumstances more palatable to the current state of his ego: the uncaring-materialist-turned-benevolent-microloan-enabling-hermit.

Not saying what he's doing is a bad thing; I'm just skeptical as to the reasons behind the change.

Burninator · 02-10-2010, 11:33 AM

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Originally Posted by Nufy

Fixed...

Ya gotta plan these things out......No connection to the crime right......

Except she has no money for a hitman because the husband gave away his fortune, remember? Try to keep up. Her only choice now is to write a book on her story of going from rich to poor and getting on Oprah and making millions.

Igottago · 02-10-2010, 11:46 AM

He could've just stopped hanging around phony people at phony places. Is it possible to be wealthy and still have a soul?

JFK · 02-10-2010, 12:04 PM

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Originally Posted by Igottago

He could've just stopped hanging around phony people at phony places. Is it possible to be wealthy and still have a soul?

I still feel that if he found the other guests to be phony, as if they were only nice to him because they assumed he was wealthy, then this guy himself was a little too obsessed with his money.

If you meet nice people on vacation, then walk away thinking "they were only nice because they know of my wealth, they weren't real", then I think you've got problems. I don't think any of the other guests really gave a crap about this guys stash.

4X4 · 02-10-2010, 02:36 PM

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Originally Posted by JFK

I still feel that if he found the other guests to be phony, as if they were only nice to him because they assumed he was wealthy, then this guy himself was a little too obsessed with his money.

If you meet nice people on vacation, then walk away thinking "they were only nice because they know of my wealth, they weren't real", then I think you've got problems. I don't think any of the other guests really gave a crap about this guys stash.

Yup. It's not that difficult to be discreet about your wealth. I know a guy who's worth quite a few mil and you'd never know it by meeting him on the street or at a hockey game.

Like, what's this guy doing? Cruising around in a Rolls Royce with a top hat and a monocle? Yea, people are going to treat you differently. Try wearing normal clothes and not renting the presidential suite, and maybe people will act normal around you instead of intimidated by your massive wealth.

Netskot · 02-10-2010, 03:26 PM

it's quite possible he's depressed and thinks his money is the source of it. despression bypasses all levels, especially money.

maybe this isn't so, but i truly think he'll be happier now that he's done this. i'd like to do it too, but don't have the balls. i'd love to live among the locals of a small town of a 3rd world tropical country and have just enough money for food and shelter but am not nearly brave enough to do it.

old age might help that someday.