I'm sympathetic to being poor enough to think about food stamps, as I was once an underemployed 20'something in NYC too, but I think you missed the point of the stranger's criticism. The point is that you and your friend were talking about how to beat the food stamp system (ie: buy things outside the food stamp rules) and also just generally joking about being on food stamps. It shouldn't be funny or cute to need government assistance- it should be the very last resort possible. It's not about race or social class, it's about true need and those with that need wouldn't find it hilarious that they were considering going on food stamps.
On Young, Privileged, and Applying for Food Stamps
I'm sympathetic to being poor enough to think about food stamps, as I was once an underemployed 20'something in NYC too, but I think you missed the point of the stranger's criticism. The point is that you and your friend were talking about how to beat the food stamp system (ie: buy things outside the food stamp rules) and also just generally joking about being on food stamps. It shouldn't be funny or cute to need government assistance- it should be the very last resort possible. It's not about race or social class, it's about true need and those with that need wouldn't find it hilarious that they were considering going on food stamps.