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?

@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

That's very simplistic. A lot of rich people wear designer clothes, Rolex watches etc. Why are all the designer stores situated in the richest streets in the richest cities? This money shouts nonsense is another mumsnet myth.

@tiktokontheclock

People who are genuinely wealthy don't talk about money or their lifestyle or even wear overtly branded clothing.

The general consensus was that wealth wouldn't lead to lots of presents, wealthy people were very aware of not wanting their children to grow up getting everything that they wanted.

Guess there are always exceptions to this, You only have to refer to the Ecclestone sisters as an example.

Particularly the older sister, to see the extravagance their children are exposed (subjected) to.

[quote Giraffesandbottoms]@Fluffymule

My FIL has private plane money. He literally wears what are essentially handbags because it’s just another way to flaunt his wealth. I think it’s absolutely down to the individual. He is a short man though so I suspect he does have a bit of little man syndrome[/quote]
Older men in France amongst other countries often use man bags. Essentially masculine looking handbags or clutch bags.

As for your assertion that not many parents drive flashy cars at private school, in my experience of my dd’s school, nothing could be further from the truth.

I will never for the life of me understand why anyone is interested in this. It ultimately doesn't really matter if someone flaunts their wealth or keeps it under wraps. Doesn't change the cost of a loaf of bread in my life.

"If its new, its on view", that's all you need to know.

@Eggshausted

Money shouts, wealth whispers….

Really?

Why do you care about sussing out exactly how much money someone has?
That's just as sad imo as all the other behaviours being derided and sneered at on this thread.

Also, ‘old’ money is not ‘better’. They might have brainwashed you into thinking that’s so, but it isn’t. Much of the ‘old’ money was built on the (broken) backs of the poor and on slavery. They literally think that everyone else is beneath them and there to service them. I mean, they’re well-schooled in hiding this attitude behind a polished veneer of manners, but don’t fool yourselves, their attitudes haven’t changed since 1600. Only fools admire such vileness.

I agree with the cap-doffing comment upthread; it’s painfully embarrassing.

My DBro is wealthy, very wealthy. You would never know to look at him, I have joked to him before he needs a better wardrobe as his look seems to be plain tees and jeans (NOT Simon Cowell although they dress almost the same!).

For faking wealth, I have mentioned this on a thread before. Abroad a couple of years back DP and I met another couple from the UK. Every conversation the husband mentioned the cost of his new car, salary bonuses, house renovations and so on. Genuinely wealthy people would never do that, it is very crass.

@MadameHeisenberg

Also, ‘old’ money is not ‘better’. They might have brainwashed you into thinking that’s so, but it isn’t. Much of the ‘old’ money was built on the (broken) backs of the poor and on slavery. They literally think that everyone else is beneath them and there to service them. I mean, they’re well-schooled in hiding this attitude behind a polished veneer of manners, but don’t fool yourselves, their attitudes haven’t changed since 1600. Only fools admire such vileness.

I agree with the cap-doffing comment upthread; it’s painfully embarrassing.

Well said!

I’d have thought the Tinder Swindler bloke was a good guide. Obviously an extreme example though.

I know that a lot of ostentatious flashiness may not necessarily be an indicator, but I’d tend to steer clear of anyone prone to that anyway.

I’m reminded of an interview with some absolutely loaded footballer’s son, some years ago. It was in a Sunday paper mag - not the Mail! He was no more than about 12, and the bit I remember is when he said he had to wear all designer clothes, or else ‘…people will think I’m just a horrible little boy.’
So sad, to me, anyway.

They'll tell you about everything they have, and then moan about being broke. Asset rich, but not money rich. Most of it being paid for on finance.

What is all this "genuinely wealthy people don't flash or talk about their wealth" nonsense?

I don't think you ever can tell.

We run a business making a bespoke high end product and our clients range from people living in multi million £ homes to people in small retirement flats.... and all spend the same amount of money.

I think it's more about how people value their money....... and how they like to use it.

I’ve just finished Inventing Anna and found this fascinating too.

I have known a few very wealthy people and they were all extremely… tight, for want of a better word. They had nice things and went on expensive holidays but they were very careful with money on a day to day basis and seemed scared of ever getting taken advantage of or having people befriend them just for their wealth. They were the kind of people who’d always haggle for a discount on a big purchase in a high street shop, like a TV, or at a car dealership. And who wouldn’t hesitate to charge you for petrol or remind you that you owed them a tenner. Like they were scared that if they let it slide you’d start expecting handouts all the time.

Not saying every wealthy person is like this, but handing out $100 bills like sweets and buying friends expensive gifts at every opportunity seems like the behaviour of someone who has just recently come into money or someone who knows their wealth has an expiry date, rather than someone who is used to being rich.

@MadameHeisenberg

Also, ‘old’ money is not ‘better’. They might have brainwashed you into thinking that’s so, but it isn’t. Much of the ‘old’ money was built on the (broken) backs of the poor and on slavery. They literally think that everyone else is beneath them and there to service them. I mean, they’re well-schooled in hiding this attitude behind a polished veneer of manners, but don’t fool yourselves, their attitudes haven’t changed since 1600. Only fools admire such vileness.

I agree with the cap-doffing comment upthread; it’s painfully embarrassing.

Yep. old money - we are superior although lots of us are rich because our original money was made on the back of slaves. And of course, they still have clear signs to flash to other people that they are super-wealthy and "old" money. Just because you do not recognise the signs, does not mean they do not exist.

The British are embarrassingly cay doffing.

I think people have different attitudes towards wealth and money. Some of this is instilled in them by parents, and some by societal attitudes and expectations.

How wealth is 'flaunted' or spent, probably has more to do with the relative liquidity of that wealth. This is where the image of the humble aristocracy comes from, as much of their wealth is tied up in property and land. It is not readily accessible.

I think people with a high income, are more likely to spend on fancy things.

@FirewomanSam yes they are mean. Buying presents for friends or being a big tipper is the action of someone who knows what it is like to have little and wants to be generous now they have money.

And honestly, I wouldn't be friends with someone well off who charged me for petrol. I give lifts to friends all the time and never charge them for petrol. For someone skint it is fine. Meanness is a horrible character trait.

I don't know why I'd care enough to differentiate in the first place! Not my business.

Seriously, who cares. I know a couple of genuine millionaires and there is no way you would spot them as such. The only time I was pissed off was when a mutual girlfriend who was having a really shitty time (and was short of cash) had lunch with one who split the bill as usual, I thought she could have treated her friend to a not very fancy lunch but end of the day not my call.

Buying presents for friends or being a big tipper is the action of someone who knows what it is like to have little and wants to be generous now they have money.

@Monopolyiscrap not in the context of the specific TV show I’m talking about (the character in question is horrible about ‘poor people’ and very much enjoys splashing the cash to show people how rich she is) but in general I do agree with you. I’ve known some horrible rich people who were incredibly mean with money, as you say. One used to actually charge more than the cost of petrol because he said he had to factor in the wear and tear and depreciation on his car. He was an actual millionaire and those of us he gave lifts (thankfully only once in my case) to were most definitely not!

@FirewomanSam Yes I watched Inventing Anna. There were clear signs she was not wealthy. But her haughty entitled manner and expensive clothes seemed to fool lots of people. I found it interesting that it was some of the poorer working people who realised she was a scammer, long before the wealthy people who accepted her as one of us. But that acceptance seemed to be based on greed. They thought they could make money and/or connections through Anna.

That millionaire sounds a total arsehole. I would get out and get a taxi. I would rather pay a working person than a mean arsehole.

@Flatandhappy

Seriously, who cares. I know a couple of genuine millionaires and there is no way you would spot them as such. The only time I was pissed off was when a mutual girlfriend who was having a really shitty time (and was short of cash) had lunch with one who split the bill as usual, I thought she could have treated her friend to a not very fancy lunch but end of the day not my call.

Yeah that is mean. I am not well off but have subbed friends struggling financially.

Wealthy people are tight with money, poorer people are more generous

What is faking it? Is having an expensive car on pcp and a house with a huge mortgage faking it?

The MN myth amount money is so wrong it is laughable and how much are we talking a net worth of 10m+, 100m+?