Alligators Quote by Margo Kaufman
“Remodeling defies the principles of modern commerce. You shell out great sums of money to people over whom you have no authority or power, yet these same people are constantly insinuating that you're cheap. (It reminded me of medicine, another area where you shell out great sums of money to people over whom you have no authority or power, who make you feel guilty for questioning a bill.) Construction workers are the blue-collar version of the snooty salespeople at Gucci who make $8 an hour but look down on you if you balk at a $400 alligator wallet.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Personal commentary on construction and consumerism, 2023
The quote critiques how people pay large sums to service providers they cannot control, feeling judged when questioning costs, similar to experiences in medicine and luxury retail.
In simple terms: Paying for services can feel disempowering and judgmental.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and assert your right to question fees.
Themes
consumerism
power dynamics
service industry
class perception
Mood
frustrated
critical
reflective
Type
observational
critical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- home renovation
- medical billing
- luxury shopping
- contract negotiations
Key Concepts
authority
social hierarchy
price psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance respect for expertise with questioning cost?
- What strategies can protect you from feeling judged?
A Different Perspective
The analogy may oversimplify complex professional expertise and market forces.
![“Everything on Saturday morning [cartoons] moves alike that's one of the reasons it's not animation. The drawings are different, but everybody acts the same way, their feet move the same way, and everybody runs the same way. It doesn't matter whether it's an alligator or a man or a baby or…” quote by Chuck Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a2/chuck-jones-9878_alike_everything-on-saturday-morning-cartoons_180513.jpg)
