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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

194 replies

InTheNameOfAllThatIsHonest · 11/10/2021 17:18

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!

OP posts:
longwayoff · 12/10/2021 10:26

mustlovegin have you seen the extremely valuable, priceless perhaps, Dali owned by the city of Glasgow? Definitely worth looking at and a very wise investment. Bitterly complained about when bought.

ojojojoja · 12/10/2021 10:29

@mustlovegin you misunderstand me and seem to be bringing an element of "whataboutism" to your argument.

In my argument, I'm not comparing the UK to other countries. It's a fact that there is a high level of wealth inequality in this country. I'm not an expert in worldwide economics but it's not wrong to want better wealth equality in the UK, regardless of our position in the world rankings. And yes there are bound to be other countries in a better position than us. You can research who they are if you want. But my argument is not about that. It's fine to want better for your country, it doesn't always have to be in a comparative way.

Original poster
InTheNameOfAllThatIsHonest · 12/10/2021 10:31

I just came back to this thread to find it had obviously touched a nerve with so many comments. It seems I wasn't wrong but was missing part of the picture - yes it seems quite a few people hate (part of) the rich (for a variety of reasons) but there also seems a lot of negativity towards those with less money.

Why don't we focus more on achievements instead of money? There is hardly any skill in being rich because of being born into a wealthy family for example, whereas there is skill in building a thriving business. Or having a happy family. Or being a very successful professor. Achievements come in lots of different shapes and forms and yet we seem to focus on what people have rather than what people have achieved. Am I wrong?

OP posts:
Maverickess · 12/10/2021 10:40

Why don't we focus more on achievements instead of money? There is hardly any skill in being rich because of being born into a wealthy family for example, whereas there is skill in building a thriving business. Or having a happy family. Or being a very successful professor. Achievements come in lots of different shapes and forms and yet we seem to focus on what people have rather than what people have achieved. Am I wrong?

I think you're right, and I think the dislike for some who are rich comes from their attitude concentrating on what everyone has rather than what they've achieved - even if that achievement doesn't produce a lot of money. But to do that you've got to realise that there's no single spot in life where every person starts from, everyone starts from a different point and although they may have less in material terms, have achieved so much more than someone who started further ahead, achieves less, but ends up further ahead.

mustlovegin · 12/10/2021 10:48

have you seen the extremely valuable, priceless perhaps, Dali owned by the city of Glasgow? Definitely worth looking at and a very wise investment

That's a very wise investment indeed and a beautiful painting, but it's a Dali

longwayoff · 12/10/2021 10:54

And once more you complely fail to see the point. Can it possibly be deliberate? O surely not.

Blossomtoes · 12/10/2021 10:57

@mustlovegin

have you seen the extremely valuable, priceless perhaps, Dali owned by the city of Glasgow? Definitely worth looking at and a very wise investment

That's a very wise investment indeed and a beautiful painting, but it's a Dali

So the value of art lies in the success of its artist? What about if Dali had made those legs? Would it change your perception? I went to the Munch and Emin exhibition at the RA and Tracy’s work was shockingly bad, yet there were people twittering about its merit because it was Emin.
mustlovegin · 12/10/2021 10:58

It’s interesting that you chose such an obviously problematic example

This one was particularly shocking, but there are many.

Regarding funding, the other day I went to a museum which I assumed would be lovely and pretty much innocuous. Half way down the visit, I realised it was infiltrated with ideological 'art' which was very obviously out of context there (it had nothing to do with the theme of the museum)

I would have liked to become a member, but I couldn't stomach funding such wrong and twisted views. I believe there should be a lot more scrutiny into any government grant (i.e. taxes) that go into these places.

mustlovegin · 12/10/2021 10:59

And once more you complely fail to see the point

I'm not sure what your poin is

mustlovegin · 12/10/2021 11:00

point

Tryagainplease · 12/10/2021 11:01

I don’t hate rich people
I hate pretentious ‘look at me, aren’t I rich?’ people. MN is full of them.

mustlovegin · 12/10/2021 11:01

What about if Dali had made those legs

But he didn't

there were people twittering about its merit because it was Emin

That's silly also, I agree.

Blossomtoes · 12/10/2021 11:04

Why do you think it’s silly when you’ve just done it about Dali?

mustlovegin · 12/10/2021 11:04

So the value of art lies in the success of its artist?

It doesn't. Hirst is very successful and I don't think the work I've seen has any value in it at all

mustlovegin · 12/10/2021 11:09

Why do you think it’s silly when you’ve just done it about Dali?

Can you honestly not see the difference between Dali's painting and Emin's?

Anyone could paint like Emin (even I could do it) or paint a few dots on a a canvas, but you need to master the art of painting very well to paint like Dali.

It's not about the painter, it's about what they can make.

But the PP was mentioning 'investment value', which is something different also

longwayoff · 12/10/2021 11:23

Thanks, blossom, but it's like banging your head against a brick wall (Ha! See Tate gallery). 'None so blind as they who won't see' as my mother used to say.

mustlovegin · 12/10/2021 11:44

but it's like banging your head against a brick wall

No need to bang heads Grin

My point is:

Dali painting in Glasgow (not sure about other paintings by him) = an aesthetically pleasing display of talent and craftsmanship --> hence contributing to society or whoever purchases it

Lady with legs in park, Emin or dots on canvas = no talent required, a toddler could do it, non-aesthetically pleasing and offensive ----> hence not contributing to society

I'm not going to argue about the investment value of a Dali as it would be foolish, obviously

mustlovegin · 12/10/2021 11:45

Still not sure what point you were trying to make longway

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 12/10/2021 11:49

No people don't like tax dodging or people using their wealthy privilege to make life hard for others.

Cam22 · 12/10/2021 11:52

Tracy (sic) Emin’s is “shockingly bad”? Her work is excellent. At least one of you cannot even get her name right. Not so impressive…

Morgan12 · 12/10/2021 11:52

I don't agree with tax dodging, giving contracts to your mates, private education and various other things the super rich are great at.

And then the UK media vilify the poor. So everyone and their granny blames the single mothers claiming benefits rather than the super rich wankers avoiding tax payments.

Welcome to disaster capitalism.

Cam22 · 12/10/2021 11:53

^Emin’s work…

Threewheeler1 · 12/10/2021 11:55

Hoolihan
Wtf are you on about? We are a nation of pathetic cap doffers.

Spot on. It makes my toes curl.
Also agree, it's the 'feckless' poor who are vilified & hated, not the rich.

vivainsomnia · 12/10/2021 11:56

OP, landlords don't provide housing. They stockpile it. This prevents other people from buying a home
What utter rubbish. There is a rental crisis at the moment. Not enough properties for rental. Because landlords have sold up, maki go more available properties for sale. Yet it's not nothing to reduce prices.

in many parts of the country virtually impossible unless you have a highly paid job and rich parents / inheritance
The main reason why people can't get in the ladder is because they choose to have kids before they do. Once you have kids, you either reduce your hours significantly or you pay massive childcare fees.

Most people eho opt to prioritise their career first, then buy, then have kids, and continue to work ft or PT for only a short period manage ok.

Mire and more families olt to have kids later for that exact reason.

MatildaIThink · 12/10/2021 12:00

@mustlovegin

I'm not comparing the UK to other countries

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

I know that was not replying to me, but me, personally Norway, taxes would rise a lot for most people, but public services are a hell of a lot better.

I understand that this would involve me paying more tax, but most on here seemed to object to the 1.25% NI increase, I very much doubt they would accept Norwegian levels of taxation as they are too hung up on having "someone else" pay for everything.

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