Oh, you are correct. There is pride involved. Absolutely. Self respect too. I don't think 'petty' is an accurate adjective.
Many years ago, I told one employers they could keep the raise they offered, and that it was not commensurate with all of the hard work I had put in over the last year. I admitted that I felt it a bit insulting. They doubled my raise. I accepted.
My whole point being, rejecting offensive behavior of any kind, including offensive compensation, is a part of self respect. You called it pride, but there is a thin line between the two.
Think of it another way. Think of it like tipping. You don't tip somebody 5% and expect them to just be grateful. Disney tipped their employees an offensive %.
That is depressing, and a topic I could really go into, but I wanna go back to the $1000.
That doesn't change the buying power of the money. $1,000 is $1,000. It is still just 10 trips to the grocery store. I just don't see how 10 trips to the grocery store can make that big a difference in an life. Another perspective, at minimum wage, it is 3.4 weeks paid vacation. 6.5% of their annual income. Nice, yes. Life changing, not so sure.
Oh! I see what is going on. We all have a different definition of "change life". I meant it in a more substantial way. A new career. An education. A free car. Stuff like that. $1,000 will buy you what? a 65 inch tv? Well, yea, that would definitely change your life for the better, but that's not what I meant. Now that I am thinking about it, a giant TV is a pretty good life improvement. I just need to lower my bar a tad.