Perception is everything… The global economic meltdown has created an atmosphere of public anger and contempt for the wealthy that hasn’t been seen since the French Revolution. Excessive executive compensation and extravagant perks have become the focus of the hysteria, and smart executives are laying a little lower right now... dressing down, trading limos for cabs, and flying coach rather than first class.
Those who work closely with the pitchfork holders have to accept that there is an understandable basis for the anger - particularly in the U.S. where many executives are receiving huge bonuses while taxpayers are bailing their companies out - and be humble about the situation. Eventually the anger will subside, and life will go back to normal, but it would be wise to be circumspect until then and seek other, less conspicuous rewards in the meantime.