How can you tell is someone is faking wealth?

[Teadrinker11]

When the hell is someone genuinely wealthy rather than just trying to be all flash but when in truth there's no real money behind the facade?

@PearPickingPorky

Spot on

Years ago I saw a guy drive up to a petrol pump in a range rover and put in £5 of petrol!

I find that people who are wealthy sometimes get that way through frugality and sensible decisions. Buying a quality item that will last forever instead of keeping up with the latest trends, things like that.

I met a duke professionally, and he rolled up in a muddy Peugeot estate.

What @PearPickingPorky said. Munsnetters aways want to ‘other’ the wealthy and make them off limits to the normal folk with cash. They can only pretend to be wealthy whilst driving around in super cars

Munsnetters aways want to ‘other’ the wealthy and make them off limits to the normal folk with cash.

yep

@PearPickingPorky

Mumsnet is desperate to believe that wealthy people are always understated and reserved and don't brag, whereas the people with flash cars, holidays and clothes are all poor and doing it on the never-never because they want everyone to notice them and they're pretending to be rich.

In reality, there are bragging flashy people and people who just quietly get on with things in in both (and any other) groups. Some very wealthy people are not at all subtle about it.

All of this.

And MN threads often say that the aristo wealthy are humble and down to earth whilst the nouveaus are tacky braggarts who no one in the village can stand

We were shown round a chateau by the old aristocrat trying to drum up some cash on an open day.
He wore a pair of leather brogues that were falling to pieces but were definitely expensive when new.
As we walked around i noticed he kept sipping from a mug which I realised was full of red wine.
I think he was asset rich and cash poor.

I had a comment today, which I thought was odd! Our children are going to start at an Independent school in sept, we have 3 children. One of the school mums from where they currently are, said to me 'oh I didn't think you had that much money'. Never a judge a book by it's cover I guess.
We are very thrifty- our cars a probably classed as bangers, but they do the job they need. I think people who fake it maybe have a point to prove, it instantly turns me off when people start adding price tags to what they have or flaunting and boasting.

@Bumpy23

I have never seen a flashy car at my children’s private school!

I live near an expensive private school, lots of flash cars.

The more there is from this list, the more likely they are faking it. Obviously with some exceptions but it's more about many small things painting a bigger picture:

1. They have bad, or at the very least, unfixed teeth. Think yellow or slightly crooked.

2. They have bad breath
   Persistent or underlying bad breath is caused most likely cause by gum disease. This indicates they do not visit the dentist often or have poor dental hygiene which is taboo in truly rich circles.

3. They have friends who don't travel.

4. They wear a cheap watch or no watch
   Similar to teeth, watches are one of the more subtle displays of wealth. Real wealthy people will have an investment piece like Rolex, Patek Philippe or Omega. They will never be wearing a £300 Michael Kors or other type of naff fashion brand watch.

5. They wear an Apple watch
   This is a loophole because most people can afford an Apple watch, and the product is legit, so it becomes a cheap & easy way to imply status. Genuinely rich men who DO wear smart watches will usually have a Garmin.

6. They try to impress you with how many languages they can speak.

7. They do not have a cleaner

8. They rent or only own the property they live in
   Wealthy people will have at least 2 or more properties (holiday home, buy-to-let, inheritance etc).

9. They never suggest going to a place where they have a holiday home.
   
   Another subtle giveaway because the vast majority of wealthy people have access to their own or their families' spare homes and it would be on the first things suggested once you start becoming friends.

10. They do not have mutual friends or acquaintances with local wealthy people.
    One of the biggest giveaways are "outsiders" turning up with whom nobody seems to share mutual friends with. The rich inner circle of every city are incredibly networked so everyone is 1-2 degrees of separation from someone else (either through school, work, family etc).

No idea - I've never had occasion to try and work out if someis genuinely wealthy tbh. There are people I know who I know for a fact are wealthy. I don't know anyone who is showy with it though.

I don't think cars work anymore as a barometer of wealth....thanks to leasing and finance...

“I have never seen a flashy car at my children’s private school”

I live near a prep school. 70% of the cars going past are landrovers or other SUVs, there are a fair few teslas and sports cars and then some middle of the road family cars. I have literally never seen a bartered Volvo.

Simon? Is that you? 😂

I don't think cars work anymore as a barometer of wealth....thanks to leasing and finance...

I drive a 2nd hand Volvo. If I was rich I'd be leasing a G wagon & an aston martin! 😆

It’s not that super rich (old money) people hide it or try to look poor - there’s an absence of branding and a focus on quality. So it’s Brunello Cucinelli or Loro Piana as opposed to Gucci logos and LV monograms.

Some really wealthy people actually do lord it over other people - including the new money they consider to be beneath them (even if they’re worth the same).

Just reading the car post above - there are a lot of people with massive houses in places like Dulwich who have terrible, ancient little cars.

There are also a fair few Aston martins and at least 2 Ferraris so it’s not an exact science. But the former are probably old money and the latter, new.

These threads come up and now and then - also in Style and beauty about how to look "expensive". And I'm always reminded of a Miss Marple story - think its "a body in the library" and miss Marple is making a point about why did the victim change out of her best dress into her 2nd best dress for a drive. Mentioned that woman of that class always wore their best clothes, regardless of if they were suitable for the occasion, that a girl of breeding might change before a drive, but into a warm sweater and skirt, not evening dress. Talked about a picnic at St Mary Mead where the more common people wore their "Sunday best", not practical clothes for the occasion. Struck me I've a habit of doing that- wearing /using my best thing for occasions, not the most appropriate.

So a very wealthy woman might indeed own a black leather prada handbag, but would only carry it to the office. If you saw her on the weekend she'd be carrying a bag that was appropriate for a casual outfit, possibly less obviously designer or not designer at all. Knowing to use the correct thing, even if it wasn't your best seems a tell tale sign of being posh / wealthy for a long time.

Me, I'd buy a single designer handbag and carry it everywhere, im common as muck.

Just reading the car post above - there are a lot of people with massive houses in places like Dulwich who have terrible, ancient little cars.

They probably just bought the houses when they were cheap like my parents.

@Bunnycat101 @pateu

Sorry, I think we have different ideas of flashy! This is a pre-prep/Prep. Maximum flashy has been a Tesla. One. Everyone else has a new but “normal” car eg Land Rover, Mercedes. I more meant no one is showing up in a Bentley 4 x 4!

@PaperTulip

Strong disagree re the Apple Watch - Hermes have a deal with them and it’s actually quite a cool and useful thing to own/it’s quite a “look how down with the kids I am” thing at present.

@Teadrinker11

When the hell is someone genuinely wealthy rather than just trying to be all flash but when in truth there's no real money behind the facade?

How is it your business exactly?

@Agrudge
Rich people dont tend to wear designer clothes. They wear bespoke clothing. People who brag about how much things cost are trying to look wealthy

… or just normal clothes. Not all rich people are materialistic. Being professionally successful/clever doesn’t automatically equate to caring about your car or clothes or other such “status” symbols.

I know someone who all she talks about is money. What she's buying and all she has etc. She has a Range Rover with a private plate. Because of the plate you can't tell how old the car is unless you know cars. The car is 13 years old which is fine but she pretends it's brand new and she thinks people don't know. All showing off.
She doesn't have a lot of money at all. She wears the same bobbly cardigan day in and day out. They don't go on holiday but constantly taking photos in Costa coffee etc. Like it's such an amazing trip to go grab a coffee. The amount of money she spends on coffee she could have a lovely holiday.