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 🤷🏻‍♀️

They still suffer break ups, affairs, illness, bad jobs etc

It's all relative. Generally speaking people in multi million pound homes aren't close friends with homeless people who rely on food banks. They fraternize with those similar to them, so they don't feel privileged.

This is interesting. 4 years ago we moved to a beautiful area which we'd been wanting to move to for ages, but none of that sense of wonder has worn off for me. When I go for a walk locally, I still drink in the views and feel so happy that I'm lucky enough to live here.

Maybe it's more to do with individual approach and mindset.

All of those things can be made easier with monet to some degree though. E.g. private healthcare for illness, therapy for emotionally traumatic stuff etc.

^ money not monet

@LookingOldTheseDays but when you've always had money and access to these services it doesn't feel like a source of ease - it's just normal and what you do.

It doesn't matter what it feels like. It objectively IS a source of ease, and an intelligent adult should be able to recognise that.

People who have inherited money probably feel lucky. People who are working in high paid jobs probably feel as stressed as someone with less money.

I wouldn't say I'm wealthy, but have far above average savings.

Having private therapy etc made me no less miserable.

When you have money, it just exists.

Honestly money for therapy, and other things that could improve my physical health would objectively make my life much better.

It's not just healthcare either. E.g. I recently needed surgery and had a period of being laid up recovering. Being able to pay for a cleaner, food deliveries, taxis etc. if needed during that time makes a massive difference in that sort of situation, compared to not being able to.

When someone has no money, they can't buy in any of that sort of help. They're on your own and have to muddle through.

Even if you choose not to buy in help, having the option available will reduce stress - you know you can do it if needed.

Yes I struggle with stress and overwhelm. Having money to deal with cleaning/food /etc would help so much.

As would private health care. I am so envious of those who just take it for granted.

We have a lot less than 80k and we're quite happy 😊

😅😅👌

I find the comment that wealthy people rarely look happy and complain a lot a bit weird . I live in a wealthy area, with houses much more expensive than mine, and of course my neighbours don’t walk around grinning all the time, clapping each other on the back, they are normal people, but generally happy. But they are just normal.

I often get comments on my home from delivery guys, I do the same as your guy, I don’t get boastful and go fuck me i know, grinning from ear to ear, I generally say something put down ish like thank you but it’s a lot of work, or thank you but it’s a money pit. Or thank you but costs a fortune to heat. Something that doesn’t come across as boastful. And quite frankly is true.

this doesn’t mean I don’t love it here, or that I am unhappy and a complainer. It means I’m trying not to be boastful of show offy . As I suspect your guy was.

why do I do it, I grew up in different circumstances and I know for me, sometimes I can be a bit taken aback still by peoples homes, the wealth on display . And I always want to make folks feel comfortable. Usually when you say something everyone can relate to it helps.

just saying thanks or thanks it’s fucking awesome just doesn’t work so well.

Probably not. Do people in good health realise how lucky they are? Do people with loving families realise how lucky they are? Etc etc. When you stop and take a moment to think yes, but generally I doubt it. Particularly if you're born into wealth and you don't even know or see any different

I don’t think Ops example was the best. He might just be modest or mixing with such wealthy people he doesn’t feel wealthy. SIL is objectively wealthy but is always feeling hard done by as all their friends are wealthier (couple of holiday homes, live in nannies and staff).

But I know what Op means. Look at the Kardashians, a more miserable looking and moany bunch I’ve yet to see…

It might be that they feel embarrassed as they haven't worked for it at all. I feel embarrassed when people compliment my home (a shabby 3 bed ex LA property in a rough area) because I actually didn't work for it either (although I do work full time) as I inherited it.
Also wealth is always in the eye of the beholder. I went to primary in a very poor area. I remember a school friend coming over who said 'wow you've got everything!' what he meant was we had a fruit bowl with apples and oranges, a second hand 25" colour tv, carpets and a bedroom per child. That was everything to him.

The mental gymnastics posters put themselves through in order to convince themselves monied people are inherently unhappy always amuses me. A bit like trying to reconcile an omnipotent, benevolent god, free will and human suffering, or convince yourself that the royal family are birds in gilded cages.

I hve a nice house. Not the extent of what you see talking about but it is all relative. Of course i realise I'm privileged. It's excruciatingly embarrassing when people who aren't friends comment on it. I would probably be a bit non-plussed if you said anything to me too. Lots of people do comment. Its really rude as it is deeply personal.

If you were my friend though i would get really excited and show you all my gadgets!