Do very wealthy people realise how fortunate they are?

[Nevergetflowers]

I know money doesn’t necessarily make you happy (it helps though!) but do very wealthy people appreciate/acknowledge how very fortunate they are, or do they take it for granted?
I live in a very expensive area (we just have a nice, but *Normal house) I tutor children often in multi million pound properties, stunning sea views, huge pools etc (I’m abroad)
At the weekend I went to a new place, it was incredible, the interior, views etc, I said to the parent ‘Wow, incredible house, so lovely’ in a nice way and he genuinely looked confused/surprised and then smiled and thanked me, a bit surprised as if ‘Oh yes, it is I suppose’
The people are often nice, but in all honesty, rarely look happy and tend to complain a lot. How can you not appreciate it all, when compared to the average persons stress & struggles (especially at the moment) and having all that beauty around you 🤷🏻‍♀️

I agree with you but I do think that we can all take life and the things that we have for granted. I complain about bills going up, not having enough space in our flat etc but there are people out there homeless or struggling. We complain about our lives and take them for granted, whilst there are people out there losing their loved ones or homes due to earthquakes or in countries where a war is going on. I’m not saying I disagree with you - Yes I think that the wealthy most likely do take it for granted. I just think we can all take life and what we do have for granted!

He probably thought it was quite a personal remark as you were there as an employee.

Maybe he is a humble person that doesn't like to brag, and didn't want to make you feel bad by gushing over his amazing house doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate how lucky he is to have what he's got!

From my experience of being around wealthy people. (Went to a private school paid for by a great Nan, we were not wealthy)

Those always brought up around money and mix with only those like them just purely don't have any concept of being poor. They simply don't understand. I had a girl tut pour out her change and ask if anyone wants it as it's annoying... it was £50 she was 12.

But I have also seen that the more you have the harder you fall, I saw a multi millionaire go bankrupt after an investment went wrong. My god he could not cope, his friends and wife left him and he literally thought his life was over, turned to drugs and went on a spiral and would only talk about money and how there was no point in living without it. So I don't particularly envy the lifestyle seeing how bad it can go.

But people who gain money later in life tend to have a more balanced grateful outlook.

I always think that those in power who come from wealth should visit poverty or do a week charity work to gain a bit of perspective, it's hard to relate to something you only see on tv. It's too far removed from you. I don't blame those like this, it's just all they know and lack of realisation. I'm sure if they were more aware they would be a little more realistic and empathetic. They just don't feel it would happen to them, but it really could happen to anyone x

@Howdya Was it rude I said that? I was trying to be friendly and complimentary 🤷🏻‍♀️It was also fairly difficult not to say it. I generally don’t, although often see beautiful places, this was really different though
I hope he didn’t think I was inappropriate saying that

Maybe he's always been wealthy and it all feels normal to him?

Most of the world's population would probably feel that you lead a life of unimaginable luxury but you probably don't see it that way every minute of the day.

Well I think it's more likely that he wasn't expecting it from you rather than he doesn't appreciate that he has a nice house.

@Headabovetheparakeet Yes, I think that’s probably it, incredible how that could be just *Normal though, it really was exceptional. But I suppose it is all relative

I think money brings its own problems and it's all relative. If everyone she knows has homes like that she won't see hers as unusually priveledged.

There was some research done on the relationship between money and happiness and the optimum income was £46k per household - a few years ago I'd guess it's higher now, but not excessively high.

It must be very hard to be happy if you don't know how the rent will be paid, but after "enough" there's nothing to suggest more is better.

@Howdya Do you think? I don’t think it’s that surprising/unusual to say that. The first time my Dds babysitter came round, she said she loved our house & garden etc, tbh, I thought she was just saying it to be polite, as people often do to each other

I agree with @Harlow19 I think the very rich probably get used to their way of life in terms of material things but some things are not fixed by money (work stress, poor health, relationship issues etc). Obviously all those difficulties would be much worse if finances were tight or housing was precarious.

Some wealthy people are not fortunate or are they lucky . They have taken risks and made some wise decisions and often have worked hard and make sacrifices before they got wealthy so yes I do think they know how lucky they are .

My old boss was born into money and then always had good jobs, never struggled etc. He made terrible comments about people on minimum wage and was of the opinion that anyone on min wage can change this whenever they like and no sympathy struggling for bills and food etc. Horrible attitude to have.

No I don't think so

On the whole they tend to believe they deserve it and seem completely out of touch with reality

@Ursulaursula82 😅No, because mine is a fairly bog standard house that needs painting desperately at the mo and his was possibly a 8/9 million euro apartment by the beach

I don't think it was unreasonable to comment, you were just being polite and making conversation. I like to think that even people with lots of money have at least a vague idea of the struggles and way people live in the "real world" but having watched that awful "rich kids go skint" programme a few times, it's quite clear that some don't!

One of my parents was incredibly rich. Divorced when I was young. The other was very poor.

It always surprised me that my rich parent was never "rich enough". His boat wasn't as big as someone else's etc.

Wow, really? I'm surprised by this number. I would expect at least 80k (so let's say before prices increase it would be 65-70k?). I'm wondering if I can find this research in google, very interesting.

Yes, because I wasn't born rich. In fact, I had parents who struggled and were a bit useless with money.