Ooh, I've got a good one. Two, actually. From the same colleague (CW1), same lunch.
First, the conversation is about our bigger paycheck, "13th month", that is coming next week. We get roughly a double salary in December.
CW1: When is our paycheck coming? I believe next Wednesday?
CW2: Yes, next Wednesday.
CW1: I'm so looking forward to it. Double salary.
Me: When I had a zero-hour contract here and got paid per hour I worked, I would not get this 13th month, but instead I would get a bit more every hour I worked. I liked that, a bigger paycheck every month, compared to waiting until the end of the year.
CW1: Oh, but I like this more. It really feels like extra money. I always love to think about what I can do with that money!
Later, the conversation turns to the fact that local radio stations are (apparently) collecting food for the food bank.
CW3: Yes, every year I let each of my children donate 8 euros of food to the food bank, when they have these collections. I think that it teaches them about charity and how to donate. We go into the supermarket and for 8 euro they can pick whatever food they like to give. But if they for example take beans from (expensive brand), I always say to them: "Listen, you've got 8 euros, take the cheaper brand and then you can give more". That way, they also learn how to be smart about money.
CW1: I never understand how people can end up needing the food bank! I mean, we are all poor here ...
(Me, internally: Speak for yourself)
CW1: ... but we still manage to have our tummies full every night.
CW3: Well, for example, there was this 22 year old woman in the program, who had a child from a horrible relationship. She escaped that relationship (bla bla bla, sad story, and indeed, one way in which people can screw up their lives and maybe temporarily may need help to feed themself and their kid).
CW1: Yes, well, I still don't understand how people can't afford to feed themself. Now, time for a smoke.
(Me, internally: yes, you never would make any decisions that impact your future financial well-being nor health, right?)
PS. I'm not perfect either, and also don't always make the best decisions for my future. Chocolate is just too damn good. But at least I'm not claiming to not understand how other people can sometimes mess up, too...