In a world where the wealth gap is widening in the global population, people are becoming increasingly divided by income. According to Statista, in the third quarter of 2023, 66.6% of the total wealth in the United States was owned by the top 10% of earners. The lowest 50% of earners only held 2.6% of the total wealth.
And it all comes down to little things. What if refusing to clean your own house speaks volumes, but very differently depending on the dime you make? People on r/AskReddit taught us a valuable lesson on income inequality. When someone asked, “What’s classy if you’re rich but trashy if you’re poor?” it was destined to resonate with many people out there.
The lifestyle of the rich and famous seems to be so easygoing. Many people think that when you are rich like this, you can have an old car and be cool—humble but rich. Controversially, being poor with an old car won’t make you look fancy.
So, the answers started flooding in, like “an old car being the most expensive thing you own” and “having a lawyer’s business card in your pocket.” We picked some of the most illuminating ones to reflect on down below.
#1 Old Car
The most expensive thing you own is a really old car.
Image source: chowderneck
#2 Asking For Money
When you’re poor it’s begging, when you’re rich, it’s a fundraiser.
Image source: Woyaboy, Vitaly Taranov
#3 Being Weird
If you are weird and rich people just call you eccentric, but if you are weird and poor people call you crazy.
Image source: -eDgAR-
#4 Having Other People Raise Your Kids
xErth_x replied:
“Sad but true.”
Image source: [deleted], qimono
#5 Police Escorts
ntgoten replied:
“or just escorts.”
Image source: deenali , Pixabay
#6 Having Fake Teeth
I see so many celebrities with those fake ass implants that are going to destroy their jaw bones in a decade, but have a legitimate dental problem that results in missing teeth and you can’t even get a job anymore, oh and dental insurance doesn’t usually cover it either because it’s considered cosmetic. Like getting to chew your food is somehow a style choice.
Image source: Jurgrady
#7 Getting Money From The Government
Mmarnik16 replied:
“This needs gilded, but I’m poor.”
Image source: audguy, Karolina Grabowska
#8 Eating Fast Food
Rich guy buys fast food: “He’s just like us!”
Poor guy buys fast food: “He should really make better choices.”
#9 Dressing Provocatively
When you’re rich it’s a fashion statement, when you’re poor you’re a working girl.
Image source: dqrst3
#10 Being On A First Name Basis With A Judge
Deleted user replied:
“Hey Judith, how’s it going?”
“You’re an idiot.”
Image source: tamupatriot , EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA
#11 Having A Wedding In Your Yard
A911owner replied:
“I used to drive charter buses and one time I had to provide transportation for the wedding of the daughter of a billionaire. When we arrived at the wedding venue, I thought we were at a country club. It was their house…”
Image source: MW_Pravity, Lyudmila Arslanbekova
#12 Leisure Spending
Biggest thing is leisure spending, imo. Somehow a billionaire wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars on shit she doesn’t need and will use once is considered cool, but a poor person saving up and buying a nice purse or bottle of booze is seen as wasteful.
Image source: Steampunk_Batman
#13 Substance Abuse
Rich people are ‘troubled’ whereas poor people are just junkies.
Image source: Cocobean4, thom masat
#14 Stealing From The Middle Class
stashpremiumtea replied:
“THIS.”
Image source: BenButteryMalesGhazi, Bastian Pudill
#15 Having A Barren House
If you’re rich, it’s called minimalism. If you’re poor, it’s not being able to afford furniture.
Image source: SirAlthalos
#16 Being Really Into Wine
melodyze replied:
“Are you telling me I can’t pull off calling myself a sommelier when I’m downing my franzia in a solo cup?”
Image source: zalfenior, Markus Spiske
#17 Privilege To Collect
Rich people collect. Poor people hoard.
Image source: captain_cavewoman, Eli Francis
#18 Living At A Hotel
jackneefus replied:
“Now that is a good one. I have known people in both categories.”
Image source: Itskevin91
#19 Walking Around In A Bathrobe
ScruffleMcDufflebag replied:
“The Dude is pretty fancy though.
Edit: I spent my evening watching The Big Lebowski because of the popularity of my reply. It was a good night.”
Image source: OTBT, Samantha Passuello
#20 Having A Lawyer’s Business Card
Deleted user replied:
“God this is so accurate. When someone I know to be poor mentions having a lawyer, I immediately wonder just how deep of shit they’re in.”
Image source: splonkFloope, Andrea Piacquadio
#21 Wearing Vintage
Wearing “vintage” clothing instead of hand-me-downs.
Image source: citizenfaith01
#22 Wearing Sportswear At Work
Wearing hoodies/sweats/gym wear to work.. Especially in Tech.
Image source: sexapotamus, MabelAmber
#23 Avoiding Taxes
jesuschin said:
“Trying to avoid paying taxes.”
luckyhunterdude replied:
“Knowing how to use the tax breaks is always classy.”
Image source: jesuschin, jarmoluk
#24 Having Many Pets
BourbonFiber replied:
“The only difference between ‘cat hoarder’ and ‘animal rescuer’ is budget.”
Image source: francisbaconcantdraw
#25 Having A Big-Screen TV
I’ve had to do home visits with people often and they ALWAYS get so mad that these poor families would have one.
Image source: GrandioseOtiose , StockSnap
#26 Cheese As A Meal
ImAchickenHawk replied:
“A handful of shredded bright orange cheddar at 2 AM isnt classy?”
Image source: Corbelling, NastyaSensei
#27 Making Your Own Booze
Drunkpennywise replied:
“If there is an apocalypse, the person who can make liquor will be kept alive.”
Image source: Goodlittlewitch
#28 Having Multiple Kids With Multiple Partners
Suesuzysue replied:
“Came here to say this one.”
Image source: culturedhoe, Vidal Balielo Jr.
#29 Not Cleaning Your Own House
adudeguyman replied:
“I can afford to have someone clean my house but I can’t have anyone do it because of my clutter.”
Image source: Johnnadawearsglasses, Karolina Grabowska
#30 Going To The Horse Races
If you’ve ever been to the track on a Tuesday afternoon you know it ain’t a pretty sight. But that’s not the picture NBC paints at the Kentucky Derby.
Image source: Stizz83
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