What is your view on wealth?

[fgfuyfyuiuy0]

No tl;dr. Read the example and the question or you won't know what I am referring to. I am not referring to wealth in general. Just a certain instance.

 

 

 

If there is one thing I can't stand, it is when someone says "[Name] is rich. I went to his house last night. It is HUGE!" Now, the statement doesn't bug me, but the person in questioning does because usually it is the child of that family and this is their friend making this statement at school/in public/to other people/etc.

 

 

 

You may ask "Why does it bug you? If the person is rich then what is wrong with someone saying they are rich?" The person I am talking about is the child of a father/mother who is "well off". Not the person themselves, but someone related to them. Here is an example of what I am saying:

 

 

 

Johnny's father started his own company. Johnny's dad gets $15,000,000 a year. Johnny's friend comes over to Johnny's house. The next day at school, he tells everyone how rich Johnny is.

 

 

 

The thing that bugs me is that Johnny is not rich. His father is. It's alright to say the family is wealthy, but it seems improper (to me) to say one person is rich when the money is not his and he doesn't receive anything. Johnny doesn't touch the money at all and doesn't spend as he pleases or even works for that money. He was born into a family that is wealthy, but it doesn't make him wealthy.

 

 

 

I notice people talk like this all the time saying certain individuals, mostly I hear it from peers at school, that another student is rich. I always ask "Does [Name] make that money?" and it always seems to be answered with a "No. His/Her father/mother does [job that makes that income]." I know it is an error for most people, but some I have asked believe that if one family member rakes in the dough, then all of them are considered recipients/benefit from that person's wealth because they are related.

 

 

 

 

 

Question

 

I was wondering how you guys look at the wealth of one person and compare it to the family/relatives as a whole. Also, do you notice that people talk like that a lot?

[Cup Lion]

I heard it a lot when I was younger, and did my fair share of gawking at people's wealth. Yet, I just find the statement "[name] is so rich" as a small error. The person obviously didn't expect you to want a completely specific answer. You hear it among young kids. They don't care if they are specific. They try to get their ideas out with as few words a possible. I doubt you would hear a kid say "[name]'s family is extremely wealthy because of the hard work his parents do."

 

 

 

Just my opinion.

[BlueLancer]

It's always worked like that. I knew plenty of wealthy kids (yes, I just called the kids wealthy instead of their parents) in school, and the only reason they had nice gadgets and new clothes every 3 days was because of their parents.

 

 

 

Not jealousy, I was friends with 1 of the guys, and I don't even see what's wrong with being wealthy.

 

 

 

Generally, a child is the most important thing to a parent, like one would be for me too if I had a child... So obviously, if a kid's parent is rich, he/she is often going to share the wealth with them.

 

 

 

You'd have a really hard time finding a poor kid coming from a rich family. Some of them might even get debit cards loaded with thousands of dollars at age 14-15 for personal spending. So it does correlate.

[silver_wits]

I think wealth only applies to an immediate family. that lives in the same household.

 

 

 

Plus, if you're going to argue with me.... when the parents die, who inherits? Generally... only if the kid is over 18 then they'll get disinherited... :twisted:

 

Noooo.. don't worry.. I'm too young to have children [and too immature] and I probably wouldn't disinherit.

 

 

 

Anyways, the reason why most people say "____ is rich" instead of "_____'s parents are rich" is probably because of the inheritance thing than anything else. Even when the children leave the nest, most parent's are unwilling to let go.. and will probably try finding them a good job, paying for college.. and what not.

 

 

 

So when you graduate colllege, even if your parent's don't support you, you'll definitely be richer than the majority of people who took loans to go to college/uni.

 

 

 

But.. to be honest, I don't think we should be having a discussion about how we describe the offspring of the wealthy/well-off... but on rather, if being rich makes you a worse person or not...

 

 

 

ie.. if you're spoiled, a brat... or just completely materialistic.

[fgfuyfyuiuy0]

It's always worked like that. I knew plenty of wealthy kids (yes, I just called the kids wealthy instead of their parents) in school, and the only reason they had nice gadgets and new clothes every 3 days was because of their parents.

 

 

 

Not jealousy, I was friends with 1 of the guys, and I don't even see what's wrong with being wealthy.

 

 

 

Generally, a child is the most important thing to a parent, like one would be for me too if I had a child... So obviously, if a kid's parent is rich, he/she is often going to share the wealth with them.

 

 

 

You'd have a really hard time finding a poor kid coming from a rich family. Some of them might even get debit cards loaded with thousands of dollars at age 14-15 for personal spending. So it does correlate.

 

 

 

Well, it does depend on the parents as well. My dad raised me so I learned how to make money and actually work instead of depending on him. Most wealthy parents don't treat their kids like that and spend money on them. My dad set up a trust fund that we will only receive any financial support if we follow strict guidelines.

 

 

 

I would consider myself a poor kid : I work a crappy job, get crappy pay, and spend all of it at the end of the year on gas and insurance. :lol:

[silver_wits]

Well, it does depend on the parents as well. My dad raised me so I learned how to make money and actually work instead of depending on him. Most wealthy parents don't treat their kids like that and spend money on them. My dad set up a trust fund that we will only receive any financial support if we follow strict guidelines.

 

 

 

I would consider myself a poor kid : I work a crappy job, get crappy pay, and spend all of it at the end of the year on gas and insurance. :lol:

 

 

 

but.. are you in debt? and you probably just need to manage your money better.

 

as in doing accounting for everything down to the last cent.

 

I heard it's fun.

 

 

 

 

[due to the fact that I live with my parents and pay rent... I don't do this.]

[fgfuyfyuiuy0]

Well, it does depend on the parents as well. My dad raised me so I learned how to make money and actually work instead of depending on him. Most wealthy parents don't treat their kids like that and spend money on them. My dad set up a trust fund that we will only receive any financial support if we follow strict guidelines.

 

 

 

I would consider myself a poor kid : I work a crappy job, get crappy pay, and spend all of it at the end of the year on gas and insurance. :lol:

 

 

 

but.. are you in debt? and you probably just need to manage your money better.

 

as in doing accounting for everything down to the last cent.

 

I heard it's fun.

 

 

 

 

[due to the fact that I live with my parents and pay rent... I don't do this.]

 

 

 

No. I am not in debt. Well... I am in debt with my dad, but that is usual in my family. I have to keep a monthly spending chart along with reading books like "The 4 hour work week" to refresh my skills on time management and money.

 

 

 

 

 

I followed one thing in a trust fund and that should pay off the debt with my dad, so I will be out of debt :

[BlueLancer]

If you think you're poor, check this guy's kids :lol:

 

 

 

http://www.rediff.com/sports/2005/mar/02schu1.htm

 

 

 

Michael Schumacher is one of the world's best-paid sportsman but the Formula One world champion is a cheapskate when it comes to his children's pocket money.

 

 

 

Schumacher, whose annual earnings are estimated at $80 million, gives his eight-year-old daughter Gina-Maria and his son Mick, who is six this month, two euros ($2.64) a week each.

 

 

 

"They have to learn wealth isn't automatic," the German Ferrari driver told Stern magazine in an interview.

 

 

 

"They get, just like other children, two euros allowance per week. They can either save it or buy something they really want with it."

 

 

 

That's a very healthy attitude for someone who made hundreds of millions during his F1 career (although now retired). Actually that's pretty damn admirable, really. At least he's not going to have spoiled kids.

[fgfuyfyuiuy0]

If you think you're poor, check this guy's kids :lol:

 

 

 

http://www.rediff.com/sports/2005/mar/02schu1.htm

 

 

 

Michael Schumacher is one of the world's best-paid sportsman but the Formula One world champion is a cheapskate when it comes to his children's pocket money.

 

 

 

Schumacher, whose annual earnings are estimated at $80 million, gives his eight-year-old daughter Gina-Maria and his son Mick, who is six this month, two euros ($2.64) a week each.

 

 

 

"They have to learn wealth isn't automatic," the German Ferrari driver told Stern magazine in an interview.

 

 

 

"They get, just like other children, two euros allowance per week. They can either save it or buy something they really want with it."

 

That's a very healthy attitude for someone who made hundreds of millions during his F1 career (although now retired). Actually that's pretty damn admirable, really. At least he's not going to have spoiled kids.

 

 

 

 

I don't/never got an allowance :lol:

 

 

 

My dad teaches us to work for your money. Heck, I paid half of my Christmas present this year. I wanted a laptop and I found a $200 one. I paid $100 and my dad paid $100.

 

 

 

I praise my dad and I am glad to pay for things because I will be doing it for the rest of my life. Better to learn the value of a dollar at 4-5 than at 18 when I get pushed out into the real world.

[silver_wits]

That's something you don't hear about very often. well.. in the media anyways. =D>

 

 

 

I dislike collecting money from my parents. but, we're not the least bit rich. definitely not.

 

 

 

and fgfyfyuiy0 good to hear that you're not in debt.

 

it could be a lot worse than being in debt with your dad.. he could be a loan shark [like I read about in books and manga] and kidnap your girlfriend and come to your house and beat you up and weird stuff like that... :?

 

 

 

btw, does anyone know if loan sharks exist... or were they wiped out?

 

 

 

and where do you find $200 laptops? I want one... was it used? it prob had like a small amt of memory... what colour was it.

[fgfuyfyuiuy0]

That's something you don't hear about very often. well.. in the media anyways. =D>

 

 

 

I dislike collecting money from my parents. but, we're not the least bit rich. definitely not.

 

 

 

and fgfyfyuiy0 good to hear that you're not in debt.

 

it could be a lot worse than being in debt with your dad.. he could be a loan shark [like I read about in books and manga] and kidnap your girlfriend and come to your house and beat you up and weird stuff like that... :?

 

 

 

btw, does anyone know if loan sharks exist... or were they wiped out?

 

 

 

and where do you find $200 laptops? I want one... was it used? it prob had like a small amt of memory... what colour was it.

 

 

 

I am pretty sure loan sharks still exist. I read about people getting killed for not paying debts a lot.

 

 

 

Plus, it was in GTAIV :

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah. Mine was used. It was a company laptop at my dad's company. I was there one day and noticed a pile of laptops. My dad (technically) sold it to me for $100, but he technically had to pay for it since it was a company laptop. So, it was like he bought it and later sold it to me for $100 :P

 

 

 

EDIT: It has an 80gb hard drive and I bought 2 gigs of RAM for it. It's missing an arrow key though :\

[silver_wits]

You can still use the arrow key though? it's just the plastic part that fell off I'm guessing....

 

Sounds like a good deal... wait.. waht am I saying... $100 for a laptop is damn good...

 

 

 

Although, i live in canada right now.. and, a year back I heard about this guy making laptops that cost $100....

 

unfortunately they would only be available to 3rd world countries... I need to get the article...

[fgfuyfyuiuy0]

You can still use the arrow key though? it's just the plastic part that fell off I'm guessing....

 

Sounds like a good deal... wait.. waht am I saying... $100 for a laptop is damn good...

 

 

 

Although, i live in canada right now.. and, a year back I heard about this guy making laptops that cost $100....

 

unfortunately they would only be available to 3rd world countries... I need to get the article...

 

 

 

Yeah. The keys are on top of a rubbery sensor. I just have to push down on the sensor, but it tends to be grumpy sometimes because it won't sense I pushed it or the metal latches will [puncture] me to the side of it.

[silver_wits]

at this point you probably don't need to use the arrow key.. specially if you have a mouse...

 

the arrow key is only good if you're in rs.. and want to change the angle... and that angle should best be left halfway up.. halfway to the side....

 

 

 

and I found the article about the $100 laptop for 3rd world children!!!1

 

well.. not the original article.. but this website I got when i googled it.

 

http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/index.php

 

 

 

unfortunately the laptops are ugly and thick... :shame:

[Ginger_Warrior]

I wouldn't really mind Johnny - it's his mate that's bragging, not him. It does annoy me. Half of them have never done an honest day's work in their life. They just get given success on a platter by their parents, while the rest of us have to work for it. They're better off for simply being born in the right place.

 

 

 

Moreover, it makes them ill-equipped for the outside world. The university in my city has a problem with richer students coming in from the country, and going wild in a city they're not familiar with. They're the type who'll spend 5 minutes working through debit cards at the co-op. Some of them think they're automatically better than me and my family because they went to a better school. I remember going to university interviews and I felt like I was being judged for my clearly poorer appearance against people who had spent thousands on their suits.

 

 

 

Yes, it annoys me. It just seems to create an attitude that material wealth > decent work ethic.

[warri0r45]

I notice that kind of language a lot. Perhaps a more common example is some kid saying "hey, wanna come back to my house to play Xbox on my new TV?"

 

 

 

I'm not so annoyed by the semantics here. It really goes without saying that the parents own this stuff, not the kids.

 

 

 

I suppose it is kind of annoying that kids who happen to be part of a rich family are automatically held up on some social pedestal, though.

[Da_Latios]

If you didn't make it, earn it or receive it as a gift/payment, it ain't yours.

[Orpheus]

If you didn't make it, earn it or receive it as a gift/payment, it ain't yours.

 

 

 

My computer is finally mine though, I had my mom spend about $1000 on it back in May, but there was one hitch: I had to work for her or find a way to pay it off during the summer.

[megakiller32]

Because i recently got a PC for my Birthday, and I have 3 brothers, so therefore i need a fairly large house, one of my friends goes "YOUR SO RICH" etc etc.

 

But he knows absolutely [bleep] all about anything.

 

And it really annoys me.

[Quoi_Tu]

I've always viewed wealth as part of the household/family. So, yes, I would call them 'rich kids', but as soon as they leave their home (assuming they leave) they become kids with rich parents. It is unfortunate that rich kids seem to get more opportunities than less well-off kids. So it goes.

[Range_This11]

Well eventually little Johnny is going to be inheriting his daddy's wealth, so I think he's safe to say a good portion of that is his.

[ThurinEthir]

First off, I live in a ridiculously wealthy suburb of Boston. Rich people galore.I wouldn't say my family is rich though, our house is small but we have plenty of...Stuff in it.

 

Anyway, it depends on the attitude the kids take. If they're like Schumacher's kids, then great, I have absolutely no problem with them. If they're those bratty kids who take everything for granted, then no. Just no. Like if they make a show of showing things off, act like anyone who isn't as rich is inferior, or just act like a [bleep].

 

I've had plenty of experience with both, I have many friends who are quite wealthy, but are extremely nice. One kid has a huge house, a Wii, 360 and PS3, but invited half the grade over for a graduation party. And everyone says he's the nicest kid in school, a fact which I will fully back up. It's simply the attitude the kid takes.

 

I kind of agree with Ginger, the friend annoys me. If Johnny was rich, then wouldn't we know it already? Rich people are nearly always at the top of the social ladder, and therefore are the best known? If his family are rich, but don't like to show it off, and thus no one knows about them, good for them (the family). Bad for the friend. :|

 

Though it was the parents who originally made the money, as they are the same immediate family, and thus live in the same house, it's just simpler to refer to the kid than the family.

[DieselX]

I cant really relate I don't live in a neighbourhood with much rich people in it. Rich people don't bother me, unless they have something I really want, and that I'm there working my [wagon] off for it, while they get it automatically and don't even appreciate it. :( Fortunately, most rich kids I know don't want the same things I do, so that spares me the bother.

 

 

 

If say johnny's dad is rich, well johnny has a rich daddy, that's useful sometimes, but if he wants money for free he's basically at the mercy of his father, dependant on him. That's never good. It's way cooler to make your own money so that your parents have zero say in what you do with it. By the time daddy dies, johnny will be like.. 50? A bit late to hope on living off daddy money.

 

 

 

But well it's useful if johnny wants to become a doctor, and engineer, or anything else that takes lots of years of studying.

 

 

 

I live in canada though, here university is cheap, and you can get all sorts of good student loans (especially if you're good) so it makes not a big difference if your daddy is rich. Screw johnny :twss:

 

 

 

The funny thing is, my daddy is rich. Not awfully rich, but he owns a small company. And he never shared a penny with me... Literally, no joke. *insert emo moment* But I hope someday I go to his doorstep and tell him I really wanna do X thing, and that he gives me like thousands of dollars to make up for all the money he didn't give me. :|

[Cyco_Reborn]

It doesnt really bother me at all. I really cant see what all the fuss is about!!!

[deloriagod]

Well eventually little Johnny is going to be inheriting his daddy's wealth, so I think he's safe to say a good portion of that is his.

 

 

 

I pretty much have to agree with this.

 

 

 

 

 

Anyways my family used to be fairly wealthy. Our business was doing very well so even after I wrecked my 2000 Firebird (which my parents paid for up front) they still got me a 2008 Eclipse (though it's not paid off). I used to get $500 worth of clothes for my birthday or basically whatever I wanted as long as I didn't just take it all for granted. Now my family is filing bankruptcy and we're losing our house, vehicles, etc. I'm finding it difficult to scrape together the money for a pack of cigarettes here and there and my family is really limited to what we buy atm. So I've seen the high points and the lower points of wealth.