RE: Reader feedback: What about my salary?, Volume 12, Number 20, May 22 - May 28, 2006
Londoners have a saying that you can always move out of London, but you can never move back in.
But our freedom to move out does not mean that our living conditions or quality of life is any better. In terms of space, stress and cost of living, we are actually worse off.
Many Slovaks have a higher quality of life than certain Londoners. The differences only show when paying for things like those foreign holidays by the sea. Don't believe all those travel adverts describing package holidays in potentially boring locations as a fantastic paradise. Some modest nearby activity is likely to be even more enjoyable.
And don't feel "embarrassed" to tell your EU colleagues the "truth". You are likely to have a more sensible view of society than those that must travel to Mediterranean resorts to spend hours in casinos, getting drunk every evening and neutering their vulnerability to contracting skin cancer.
It's they that should feel embarrassed if they don't understand you.
Your EU colleagues and you do have a common interest - to work for personal security and a decent standard of living and quality of life. Don't let your fellow Slovaks, or at least some of them, walk all over you whilst claiming tax advantages.
Plus, having a salary as high as Prime Minister Blair is nothing to be proud of.
David,
London, UK
