Is the word greedy a dirty word?

[Indy-Guy]

IS THE WORD GREEDY A DIRTY WORD?

Greedy is perhaps one of the most used words on Talk of The Villages. Many seem to use this word as a slam against others and use it as if they have never been greedy themselves.

I had been a salesman all of my working life and I was and still am a greedy person and very proud of it. I have hired and trained many-many salespeople and would not want to hire a salesperson that is not greedy. If I were to sell my home or car or anything else I own I would want to sell it for as much as I could. Many would call that greedy and I thank you for the compliment.

I believe that the majority of the people that live in The Villages worked for profitable greedy companies that paid us well or we would not be living here. Even retired government employees worked for a greedy government that history shows has always wanted to raise taxes.

We even want our favorite sports teams to defeat their opponents by as much as possible and if they are playing their biggest rival the point spread can never be enough. Seems like greed to me. I love it when my favorite teams will.

I googled the meaning of greedy and this is what I found. onhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/greedy.

The number 2 meaning I found interesting. The next time you go out to eat in The Villages and they give you one of those pagers as you are waiting to eat and drink just think of number 2 meaning you are greedy.

[gree-dee]
Spell Syllables
� Synonyms
� Examples
� Word Origin
adjective, greedier, greediest.
1.
excessively or inordinately desirous of wealth, profit, etc.; avaricious:
the greedy owners of the company.
2.
having a strong or great desire for food or drink.
3.
keenly desirous; eager (often followed by of or for):
greedy for praise.

[Loudoll]

I think number 1 is what we're usually thinking when we use the word. This was interesting. I complained about people using the word rude too often but when I looked it up I saw that I was wrong. Rude was being used correctly. But do you think I'll admit that?

[Warren Kiefer]

is the word greedy a dirty word?

Greedy is perhaps one of the most used words on talk of the villages. Many seem to use this word as a slam against others and use it as if they have never been greedy themselves.

I had been a salesman all of my working life and i was and still am a greedy person and very proud of it. I have hired and trained many-many salespeople and would not want to hire a salesperson that is not greedy. If i were to sell my home or car or anything else i own i would want to sell it for as much as i could. Many would call that greedy and i thank you for the compliment.

I believe that the majority of the people that live in the villages worked for profitable greedy companies that paid us well or we would not be living here. Even retired government employees worked for a greedy government that history shows has always wanted to raise taxes.

We even want our favorite sports teams to defeat their opponents by as much as possible and if they are playing their biggest rival the point spread can never be enough. Seems like greed to me. I love it when my favorite teams will.

I googled the meaning of greedy and this is what i found. Onhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/greedy.

The number 2 meaning i found interesting. The next time you go out to eat in the villages and they give you one of those pagers as you are waiting to eat and drink just think of number 2 meaning you are greedy.

[gree-dee]
spell syllables
� synonyms
� examples
� word origin
adjective, greedier, greediest.
1.
Excessively or inordinately desirous of wealth, profit, etc.; avaricious:
The greedy owners of the company.
2.
Having a strong or great desire for food or drink.
3.
Keenly desirous; eager (often followed by of or for):
Greedy for praise.

in biblical terms, greed is a sin.

[rubicon]

Greedy is one of those qualities that is hard to describe but we know it when we see it.

I recruited, interviewed, tested, trained and promoted many sales types. A key ingredient for a successful sales person is that they are highly motivated by money. It is not this motivation that makes a sales person greedy rather it is the manner unethical vis a vis ethical manner they go about making that sale.

In my view this same concept applies across our capitalistic society. Apart of it is that an individual or company departs from providing quality products or service to their customers and are over taken and focused on profit alone

Succinctly states I believe greed and questionable/unethical business practices go hand and hand. Interestingly enough it seems those companies run well and offering a quality product, service etc seem to thrive Chick fil comes to mind

[mickey100]

Greed usually implies "excessive" when it comes to money. A company that is not "greedy" would be Ben and Jerry's. The starting salary is twice the minimum wage; they support environmental efforts. They support Fair Trade - Fair Trade certification guarantees that the farmers who grow the vanilla, cocoa and coffee beans get a fair price for their harvest, enabling them to reinvest in their land and communities. This costs B&J's more money in the long run, but ethically its the right thing to do. A greedy company will take an opposite approach - Walmart comes to mind - with billions of dollars a year in profits, a reliance on part-time workers who are structured out of decent wages and access to health care benefits.

[Taltarzac725]

Greed usually implies "excessive" when it comes to money. A company that is not "greedy" would be Ben and Jerry's. The starting salary is twice the minimum wage; they support environmental efforts. They support Fair Trade - Fair Trade certification guarantees that the farmers who grow the vanilla, cocoa and coffee beans get a fair price for their harvest, enabling them to reinvest in their land and communities. This costs B&J's more money in the long run, but ethically its the right thing to do. A greedy company will take an opposite approach - Walmart comes to mind - with billions of dollars a year in profits, a reliance on part-time workers who are structured out of decent wages and access to health care benefits.

I used to abstract regional business magazines and newspapers when I worked for Information Access Company in Belmont, CA. There are many ethical companies like Ben and Jerry's that earn quite a profit.

Another note-- Personal enrichment was kind of ingrained into us while I was in law school. Professors would often talk about how much money we would make once we got through the ordeal of law school. I know some law students from back then we do good work in some area or another who are probably not very well paid but are content with what they are doing. There are others who do good work for people but are extremely well paid for doing it.

[Polar Bear]

Greedy has by definition a negative connotation. My complaint is with those who equate a responsible, dedicated effort to make a profit with being greedy. Nothing could be further from the truth.

[Yung Dum]

Making a profit is not greed. Making excessive profits at the expense of less fortunate people is. Greed is laying off employees for the sole purpose of increasing profits. Greed is forcing employees to work extra hours for the same pay to make up for those laid off employees. Greed is cutting back on the employee benefits that created the great American middle class. Greed is killing us all. In the end, the greedy will have no consumers and they, too shall lose everything.

[sunnyatlast]

If you want to see greed, look at the federal government as well as the corporate world.

The feds can't ever get enough. Taxpayers do not willingly pay the money to the feds as they do at Walmart. The feds confiscate it, and then leave our kids and grandkids with an $18 trillion national debt.

That, to me, is greed.

[Yung Dum]

If you want to see greed, look at the federal government as well as the corporate world.

The feds can't enough. Taxpayers do not willingly pay the money to the feds as they do at Walmart. The feds confiscate it, and then leave our kids and grandkids with an $18 trillion national debt.

That, to me, is greed.
The government does not tax to enrich itself. It taxes to provide for the people of the nation. True, much of this money is ill-spent, but that doesn't qualify as greed. If the greedy paid their fair share of taxes as they did in the 1950's, we may once again have a middle class and a much stronger economy.

[sunnyatlast]

The government does not tax to enrich itself. It taxes to provide for the people of the nation. True, much of this money is ill-spent, but that doesn't qualify as greed. If the greedy paid their fair share of taxes as they did in the 1950's, we may once again have a middle class and a much stronger economy.

It's ill-gotten, and ill-spent, and then they keep wanting more--removing the debt ceiling every year.

That is greed AND squandering it, and having no qualms about squeezing more out of working people.

If they put the money directly to the people in need first, instead playing games with it to get re-elected first and foremost, it would be alright. As it is, it's just a drunken binge applied to greed for power, for which we pay.

[tippyclubb]

The government does not tax to enrich itself. It taxes to provide for the people of the nation. True, much of this money is ill-spent, but that doesn't qualify as greed. If the greedy paid their fair share of taxes as they did in the 1950's, we may once again have a middle class and a much stronger economy.

Why is it people who want to keep their hard earned money are referred to as greedy, but the people trying to take our money are not greedy? Please explain, as it makes no sense to me.

[Justus]

Why is it people who want to keep their hard earned money are referred to as greedy, but the people trying to take our money are not greedy? Please explain, as it makes no sense to me.

:ho:

I agree! Big business pays the lion's share of taxes in this country. Government produces nothing that contributes to the economy. The rest of the tab is forcibly extracted from working-class taxpayers. When a business, large or small, makes a profit, despite having to pay to support the entitlement class and an irresponsibly bloated government bureaucracy, it's nothing short of a miracle. Without it, there is no incentive to produce. Labeling a business - or person - who actually does produce wealth as "greedy" is tactic, used by Marxist governments and social manipulators, to create class envy. It's how they get votes and maintain control.

When a government bleeds the citizens it is elected to serve, while taking multimillion dollar junkets, using taxpayer-funded Military vehicles and personnel as private chauffeurs, legislating itself elaborate retirement and health care benefits or golden parachutes for minimal service, THAT is greed!

If government weren't so insatiably greedy, business like Walmart, and many others, large and small, wouldn't be forced to cut employee benefits. Anyone who has ever been in business for himself understands this only too well.

[Justus]

It's ill-gotten, and ill-spent, and then they keep wanting more--removing the debt ceiling every year.

That is greed AND squandering it, and having no qualms about squeezing more out of working people.

If they put the money directly to the people in need first, instead playing games with it to get re-elected first and foremost, it would be alright. As it is, it's just a drunken binge applied to greed for power, for which we pay.

Amen! Very well said! :clap2:

[mickey100]

Making a profit is not greed. Making excessive profits at the expense of less fortunate people is. Greed is laying off employees for the sole purpose of increasing profits. Greed is forcing employees to work extra hours for the same pay to make up for those laid off employees. Greed is cutting back on the employee benefits that created the great American middle class. Greed is killing us all. In the end, the greedy will have no consumers and they, too shall lose everything.

I agree. You nailed it.

[mickey100]

The government does not tax to enrich itself. It taxes to provide for the people of the nation. True, much of this money is ill-spent, but that doesn't qualify as greed. If the greedy paid their fair share of taxes as they did in the 1950's, we may once again have a middle class and a much stronger economy.

How true. The money is not spent the way we would like all the time, but what can we expect when the political parties disagree on just about everything. There is certainly mismanagement at all levels of government, state, federal, and local, but mismanagement is different than greed.

[rubicon]

Greed is difficult to define and excessive is in the eye of the beholder again its not how much but in what manner this wealth is attained

And as for the government there is never enough money. consider recently when gas prices abated we got some relieve but on both side of the political aisle members wanted to raise gas taxes.

If I could legally get away with not paying taxes I would. Let me explain. I believe all politicians are imprudent spenders of taxpayers money and before I give them one red cent I want to know what they are going to do with it.

Social security Medicare, and all such programs are mismanaged and the fraud abuse and waste just makes me want tobarfbarf. the carve outs for special interests to gain votes is immoral.

Yet we continue to hear it is your patriotic duty to pay taxes. Well isn't it your patriotic, even fiduciary duty to prudently spend my tax dollar?

Roads to nowhere go nowhere and deny support for people and issues that need attention.

I believe a simple tax code should be devised that provides for the efficient and effective use of our money. However if such a code were passed it wouldn't take long for politicians to graviate back to spending for their self interests.

[Moderator]

Reminder...the topic is a general question about the definition of greed.

The recent collection of posts have veered into political territory which is not permitted in the general forum.

Please return to the original topic or the thread will be closed.

You can discuss Greed and government in the political forum.

Moderator

[graciegirl]

Reminder...the topic is a general question about the definition of greed.

The recent collection of posts have veered into political territory which is not permitted in the general forum.

Please return to the original topic or the thread will be closed.

You can discuss Greed and government in the political forum.

Moderator

I was just thinking how respectful people were being. How much it makes me angry when people call money making by business Greed. I always sit and ponder did everyone in their family teach, or work at the post office or do things that did not in anyway support sales?

Making a profit is part of business and is not greed. We all know what greed is. And it is one of the seven deadly sins according to Dante.

We know when we feel greedy and we have been greedy. It is an ugly thing.

[Laurie2]

IS THE WORD GREEDY A DIRTY WORD?

Greedy is perhaps one of the most used words on Talk of The Villages. Many seem to use this word as a slam against others and use it as if they have never been greedy themselves.

I had been a salesman all of my working life and I was and still am a greedy person and very proud of it. I have hired and trained many-many salespeople and would not want to hire a salesperson that is not greedy. If I were to sell my home or car or anything else I own I would want to sell it for as much as I could. Many would call that greedy and I thank you for the compliment.

I believe that the majority of the people that live in The Villages worked for profitable greedy companies that paid us well or we would not be living here. Even retired government employees worked for a greedy government that history shows has always wanted to raise taxes.

We even want our favorite sports teams to defeat their opponents by as much as possible and if they are playing their biggest rival the point spread can never be enough. Seems like greed to me. I love it when my favorite teams will.

I googled the meaning of greedy and this is what I found. onhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/greedy.

The number 2 meaning I found interesting. The next time you go out to eat in The Villages and they give you one of those pagers as you are waiting to eat and drink just think of number 2 meaning you are greedy.

[gree-dee]
Spell Syllables
• Synonyms
• Examples
• Word Origin
adjective, greedier, greediest.
1.
excessively or inordinately desirous of wealth, profit, etc.; avaricious:
the greedy owners of the company.
2.
having a strong or great desire for food or drink.
3.
keenly desirous; eager (often followed by of or for):
greedy for praise.



Indy-Guy, maybe we need to find a different word for you.

Some words carry connotation. Along with their primary definition, or denotation, certain words invoke ideas or feelings. The word greed carries a lot of negative connotation.

I am wondering if you are telling us that you are someone who works hard, who has become quite good at the "art of the deal," helps others to succeed through hard work, and enjoys the things success can bring. (And maybe even likes to quietly give some of it away.)

OR. . .

Are you saying you are like that guy in the Wall Street movies or the "Wolf of Wall Street" movie? Those guys destroyed people's lives. And it was not just about the money. It was about power over others. The kind of power that was evil stuff. Major sleaze-factor.

So anyway, Indy, I am betting you are like the first description I gave. If so, to me, that is not greed. But we need to find a better word.

You're welcome,
At-A-Loss-For Words :shocked: Laurie

[graciegirl]

When a person makes a profit and does not break a law. The money is his.

Some may give to charity, and some may not.

Some may agree with others about the environment, and some may not as long as they are staying within the law.

Some may be like Mother Teresa and some may not. As long as that person or corporation does not break the law, they are entitled to their profit. They may build new business, they may give their CEO a buncha money. They may put it in their bank. They may profit share with their employees and they may not.

It is their money.

He who makes the gold makes the rules about how he spends the gold.

You cannot dictate or legislate morality. AND if you want to be a huge success in business and be a good person...as there are many, go for it.

Not all successful businesses are greedy JUST because they are making a lot of money.

Not all people who don't have a lot of money are virtuous and non greedy.

There is GREED....and THERE is ENVY.

[Indy-Guy]

Indy-Guy, maybe we need to find a different word for you.

Some words carry connotation. Along with their primary definition, or denotation, certain words invoke ideas or feelings. The word greed carries a lot of negative connotation.

I am wondering if you are telling us that you are someone who works hard, who has become quite good at the "art of the deal," helps others to succeed through hard work, and enjoys the things success can bring. (And maybe even likes to quietly give some of it away.)

OR. . .

Are you saying you are like that guy in the Wall Street movies or the "Wolf of Wall Street" movie? Those guys destroyed people's lives. And it was not just about the money. It was about power over others. The kind of power that was evil stuff. Major sleaze-factor.

So anyway, Indy, I am betting you are like the first description I gave. If so, to me, that is not greed. But we need to find a better word.

You're welcome,
At-A-Loss-For Words :shocked: Laurie

You are correct I would rather be thought of as your first description rather than a Gordon Gekko type. Good movie that portrayed the bad side of greed.

Thank you for your well put thoughts.

[Laurie2]

You are correct I would rather be thought of as your first description rather than a Gordon Gekko type. Good movie that portrayed the bad side of greed.

Thank you for your well put thoughts.

I kind of figured you were OK. :)

We really do need a different word.

[Chi-Town]

You are correct I would rather be thought of as your first description rather than a Gordon Gekko type. Good movie that portrayed the bad side of greed.

Thank you for your well put thoughts.
Another movie that portrayed the bad side of greed was Seven. Tough movie to watch.

[tedquick]

:ho:

I agree! Big business pays the lion's share of taxes in this country. Government produces nothing that contributes to the economy. The rest of the tab is forcibly extracted from working-class taxpayers. When a business, large or small, makes a profit, despite having to pay to support the entitlement class and an irresponsibly bloated government bureaucracy, it's nothing short of a miracle. Without it, there is no incentive to produce. Labeling a business - or person - who actually does produce wealth as "greedy" is tactic, used by Marxist governments and social manipulators, to create class envy. It's how they get votes and maintain control.

When a government bleeds the citizens it is elected to serve, while taking multimillion dollar junkets, using taxpayer-funded Military vehicles and personnel as private chauffeurs, legislating itself elaborate retirement and health care benefits or golden parachutes for minimal service, THAT is greed!

If government weren't so insatiably greedy, business like Walmart, and many others, large and small, wouldn't be forced to cut employee benefits. Anyone who has ever been in business for himself understands this only too well.

Amen and Amen!!!

[2BNTV]

Support the needy and not the greedy!!! :D

Greed has a negative connotation. When it's excessive, it's not a good thing. IMHO

[Grandfinch]

I think it is simpler than most of these posts. Greed is the result of a persons inability to accept when enough is enough. For me, it was when I had accumulated enough to retire in the villages with a financial cushion to last till I turn 103 years old. For so many unfortunate (in my opinion) people, they die in their 80's and 90's still chasing the almighty dollar with bank accounts larger than they can spend in 5 lifetimes.

[Miles42]

I don't think the word is greed more like entitlement. There are those that feel entitled no matter what they do. Been jerks all their life.

[gap2415]

Support the needy and not the greedy!!! :D

Greed has a negative connotation. When it's excessive, it's not a good thing. IMHO

I'm glad the word needy or need was mentioned. Creating wealth honestly is not greed but keeping piles of money while we see others suffering in need is a problem. Excuses are many, government will look after them, they are pretenders, if they only etc etc. Can we call it greed when in our prosperity we see another hungry and do nothing?

As is written..".but a smart man like you can rationalize every inconsistency".

[Cedwards38]

I think it depends in what context it is used, and what one is willing to do to satisfy that greed. One can certainly go too far with greed, and we see it every day.

[Grandfinch]

Quite the topix for self reflection. I retired twice in my working years. I am sorry to say, I don't feel I owe anyone an apology for that.