to think that in the UK we love to hate rich people?

[InTheNameOfAllThatIsHonest]

Looking at a few threads here it seems that there is a definite trend that sees a lot of us in the UK loving to hate rich people. Why is that? Why do we resent them? Sure, I'd love to have lots of money and not need to worry but I don't resent those who do have it.

And yet there is so much vitriol on MN directed at people with money. Odd when without their tax money we'd be in a lot of trouble... Enlighten me please. Because I'm almost embarrassed IRL to admit I'd actually love to be rich!

Surely we want contributing members of society?

Yes we do. But there's more ways to contribute to society than financially, it's just that many people don't see there's any worth in that, to the point where people contributing in this way are told they're lazy, uninspired and make the wrong choices, despite the fact that their contribution makes a huge difference.
That and people know when they're being exploited, and they speak up about it, and others don't want to hear it because it may well expose flaws in themselves and the attitude that money is all, that it's the only thing or contribution that matters and the measuring stick by which a good or bad person should be measured.

But there's more ways to contribute to society than financially, it's just that many people don't see there's any worth in that

It depends on the so called 'contribution'.

If it's a dodgy 'artist' or someone spouting divisive 'ideologies' I would say there's no worth at all.

If it's a nurse, key worker, etc, of course what they do is valuable

@mustlovegin

But there's more ways to contribute to society than financially, it's just that many people don't see there's any worth in that

It depends on the so called 'contribution'.

If it's a dodgy 'artist' or someone spouting divisive 'ideologies' I would say there's no worth at all.

If it's a nurse, key worker, etc, of course what they do is valuable

That's the rub isn't it though? They're all lumped into the same group because of their financial worth.

@mustlovegin

But there's more ways to contribute to society than financially, it's just that many people don't see there's any worth in that

It depends on the so called 'contribution'.

If it's a dodgy 'artist' or someone spouting divisive 'ideologies' I would say there's no worth at all.

If it's a nurse, key worker, etc, of course what they do is valuable

You don’t think art contributes to society? How incredibly depressing.

@InTheNameOfAllThatIsHonest

Looking at a few threads here it seems that there is a definite trend that sees a lot of us in the UK loving to hate rich people. Why is that? Why do we resent them? Sure, I'd love to have lots of money and not need to worry but I don't resent those who do have it.

And yet there is so much vitriol on MN directed at people with money. Odd when without their tax money we'd be in a lot of trouble... Enlighten me please. Because I'm almost embarrassed IRL to admit I'd actually love to be rich!

I think that this is way too much of a generalisation.

They take the piss out the poor once they made it

And yet there is so much vitriol on MN directed at people with money
MN is not the UK, far from it.

There is a difference between the very rich and those who just do well, but still need to make choices and watch their spend to some extend.

Sadly, the two are often put into the same box. The resentment towards landlords, IE. those clearly rich enough to be able to afford another property, even when this might be an inherited asset and make little income is quite astonishing.

Also hate the inevitable assumption that those who do well have just had everything handed to them rather than through choices and sacrifices that those not as well off didn't want to make despite the same opportunities.

You don’t think art contributes to society? How incredibly depressing

I'm depressed to see so many self-proclaimed 'artists' charging extortionate fees for what some call 'art' today - see below

www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/7561904/glasgow-festival-park-legs-raped/

Also some 'art galleries' today and their 'exhibitions' take the p**s

@mustlovegin

You don’t think art contributes to society? How incredibly depressing

I'm depressed to see so many self-proclaimed 'artists' charging extortionate fees for what some call 'art' today - see below

www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/7561904/glasgow-festival-park-legs-raped/

Also some 'art galleries' today and their 'exhibitions' take the p**s

If their work is selling, someone appreciates it. It’s ridiculously hard to make a living from selling your art. I’m hugely impressed by someone with the guts and determination to do it. Whether you like it or not is immaterial.

How would you define rich?

For me, it's someone who has at least £1 million in wealth excluding their place of residence.

I have rich parents but they worked their way up from nothing (not through exploiting people; mum is senior management in an investment bank and she worked her way up from a trainee accountant at Big 4; dad was an engineer who formed a partnership with his ex boss and they develop properties together with the seed capital ex boss provided; I think they were lucky in some respects i.e. having parents who did all their childcare for them so they could work lots). So I don't hate rich people per se but people like the Duke of Westminster who never worked for their wealth do irritate me. Just like I guess people whose parents gave them deposits for their london houses do irritate me when I had to save up for my flat

Of course we haven't shaken off class in this society. I was taught that class is only a matter of money. I don't know if I agree.

If class was only a matter of money the term “nouveau riche” would never have come into existence.

If their work is selling, someone appreciates it

The taxpayers are lumbered with monstrosities like these and we have to pay for the privilege. It's scandalous what people call 'art' these days.

But probably that rant is for another thread

onlychildhamster watch out, you will be vilified for your 'privilege' or something

@ all onlychildhamster if somebody give you the money for your deposit I guess you will say not right?

*OP, landlords don't provide housing. They stockpile it. This prevents other people from buying a home.

Rich people stockpile money and resources. It's taking the money and resources out of circulation that's the killer.

The movie In Time illustrates why we hate the rich. They cause poverty by stockpiling.*

Completely agree. Thanks for the film recommendation @SoundBar, haven't seen it but will look it up.

@fournonblondes I wouldn't say its not right but unearned wealth to me irritates me but money through having a good education/working your way up the corporate ladder/setting up your own business doesn't. I guess cos there was some effort involved in the latter! Unless you are Gaddafi's son, you actually have to write your thesis!

I am privileged in the sense that even though my parents didn't give me any money post university and will never give me any money, my MIL let me stay rent free in her house but I did have to work hard to save the money unlike DH's friends who lived rent free in their parents' houses plus their parents funded their deposits.

@mustlovegin

If their work is selling, someone appreciates it

The taxpayers are lumbered with monstrosities like these and we have to pay for the privilege. It's scandalous what people call 'art' these days.

But probably that rant is for another thread

So it’s only public art you have an issue with? It’s interesting that you chose such an obviously problematic example.

I’d rather live in a society with higher wages, higher taxes and excellent public services rather than a society that has low wages for the poorest and massive wages, bonuses etc for the richest.

It upsets me that someone who works full time can’t afford to heat their home, or access basic services such as consistent medical treatment due to absolutely brutal cuts.

I don't think its hatred, it's more that there's such stark inequality in this country. You're either a have or a have not, for example getting on the housing ladder in many parts of the country virtually impossible unless you have a highly paid job and rich parents / inheritance. Instead you're forced to rent at a much higher rate than a mortgage would ever cost. Making money is much easier when you have money to start with. It's really skewed towards the rich. So people don't always feel comfortable with it. Also there's a lot of snobbery against poor people or people who rent or whatever.

@Waxonwaxoff0

I don't hate rich people, I hate rich people who exploit poor people.

This Also rich people who look down on the poor people they are trampling on

So it’s only public art you have an issue with

Yes, only public art paid for by the taxpayer.

I don't mind if someone has poor taste and wastes money on something awful, they can do with their cash what they want

it's more that there's such stark inequality in this country

What other countries are you comparing the UK with?

@mustlovegin - I'm not comparing the UK to other countries, I'm comparing the rich poor divide within this country

equalitytrust.org.uk/scale-economic-inequality-uk

"Wealth in Great Britain is even more unequally divided than income. In 2016, the ONS calculated that the richest 10% of households hold 44% of all wealth. The poorest 50%, by contrast, own just 9%.[6] "

I'm not comparing the UK to other countries

Well, which countries do you think are examples you would like us to follow then?