To think that most rich people don’t actually care about those struggling?

[ZippyMintCat]

I keep seeing wealthy people make grand statements about philanthropy, “giving back”, and wanting to help but when it comes down to it, most of them don’t actually seem to care. They live in their own bubble, completely disconnected from the struggles of ordinary people.

They might donate to charity for tax breaks, post about “awareness” on social media or make vague comments about how “hard work pays off” but they rarely do anything that actually makes a difference. Meanwhile, the cost of living keeps rising, people are struggling to afford basics, and the ultra-rich just keep hoarding wealth.

Of course there are exceptions but in general, AIBU to think that rich people don’t really give a shit? Or am I just being cynical?

Ido think the rich probably get giving fatigue. A bit like reading about seemingly endless conflicts in Africa. It sort of feels like it doesn’t matter in a way how many hundreds of millions of pounds are poured in, it doesn’t resolve things, it’s a very expensive plaster.

Is there an amount of money that would solve the underlying issues or is everything just kicking the can down the road.

@ZippyMintCat if you are talking at the mega rich level, I know few who haven’t got there ( apart from inherited wealth) without a certain amount of looking after number 1 at all times and being more than happy not to give a second thought to others situation apart from possibly very immediate family - and not always that either.

I used to advise some of the richest people in the world. A lot of my time was spent dealing with their charitable giving. Most of the time it was very very anonymous so it is impossible to tell which billionaire or multi multi millionaire is giving away money and which is not.

Having said that it reminds me of one of the directors at the first company DH worked for. He asked if he was going to buy a house in the area. DH pointed out that on the salary he was being paid he couldn't afford a studio flat..... Shortly afterwards he abandoned STEM for the City - I don't think it came as a big surprise.

When I was a child anyone whose parents owned a car I saw as rich because we didn’t have one.
These days I see people with over a million as rich , but maybe they don’t think they are ? They certainly are not compared to someone like Elon Musk. It’s all relative isn’t it ?

They might donate to charity for tax breaks, post about “awareness” on social media or make vague comments about how “hard work pays off” but they rarely do anything that actually makes a difference.

But ultimately, why do you feel people with money are obliged to do more than this? People who choose to work with “poor people” should care and have ideas about how to solve poverty and do things which make a difference; people who choose to go into politics as a career should care and have ideas about how to solve poverty and do things which make a difference. I’m not convinced anyone else is necessarily obliged to “make a difference” beyond making charitable donations if they choose to and using their position to raise awareness of causes they support.

I’m a rich person (depending what you mean. Comfortably eight figures sterling. I barely count by many standards of rich).

There’s the whole gamut. I know rich/high income people who give a huge proportion of their income to help others and who put serious thought into how to do that best. Some make that one of the organising principles of their lives. I know others who, as far as I can tell, don’t do any of that.

One misconception and one point I think you are right on.

Giving ‘for the tax breaks’: not really a thing. The govt gives some preferential treatment on gifts, but you are always financially better off not giving. So it’s not some empty tax dodge.

But you are right that very few rich people know how properly poor UK people live. Very few are from that background. And while there is perhaps some sympathy for the ‘squeezed middle’ (many stealth-rich people have, superficially, the same sort of lifestyle), most I know would consider it embarrassing to take that as a cause. There’s a handful who focus on prosperity/growth/progress as a cause, which I guess is that.

Mainly, rich people I’m aware of seem to fall into three giving camps: I) personal causes, eg health charities they have some personal connection to, II) arts types (my least favourite), who like fashionable causes especially if they can put their name on it, III) the spreadsheet givers, who are looking for the most possible good they can do in the world for their buck. That mostly goes to global health and development or more esoteric neglected causes.

I don’t think you can generalise.
Yes, there will be wealthy people who don’t consider others, but there will be those who do.

It’s similar to saying that healthy individuals or Neurotypical individuals don’t consider disabled people in their day to day lives.
Most of them won’t because that isn’t their lived reality, but some, for whatever reason will do.

I don’t think it’s realistic to presume people who have made or been born into a family with extreme wealth to be of higher emotional intelligence and moral standing than the rest of the population.
We may wish that it were so, but reality shows that it isn’t the case, and possibly the ability to accumulate wealth, or at least those who do so knowingly and somewhat intentionally, are less likely to question whether they could or should use it in ways that benefit others beside themselves.

True, ‘rich’ is definitely relative and I agree that what counts as wealthy depends on your perspective and life experience. For me, I’m talking about the level of wealth where you’re totally insulated from everyday financial concerns, where even a major unexpected expense wouldn’t make a dent. Whether that’s a few millions or billions, once you’re at that level, you have options and influence that most people will never have and I think that comes with a responsibility to use it well.

Like most things, some do and some don’t. And some keep it quiet.

I was on a scout camp once and a man in a horse appeared on the neighbouring field. He spoke briefly to the scout club leader. I asked her who he was and she said that we were camping on his land and that he was the clubs main sponsor. Nothing was ever mentioned or written anywhere about this. I thought that was nice.

Like the Royal family, you mean? Yeah, they don't give a shit.

What kind of influence are you imagining someone with a few million might have?

I get where you’re coming from, not everyone with money has chosen a role where tackling poverty is their main job. But when someone has extreme wealth, they also have resources, influence and access that go way beyond what most people can offer. I’m not saying they should all dedicate their lives to activism but the ability to fund meaningful change or shift policy conversations is a privilege that comes with responsibility. For me, raising awareness and donating small amounts feels like the bare minimum when you have that kind of reach.

My observation from having a disabled child who is now 30, is that many of the charities, services, special provision is set up and supported by the “rich” or better off

How would you know? Why wouldn't rich people be doing a lot for others without publicity because they don't want to show off what they're doing?
If I were you I'd be more worried about that massive chip on your shoulder.

Of course you can shift policy. It’s called voting.

Yep, they’d definitely fall into that category. Extreme wealth, total insulation from everyday realities, and a level of detachment that makes it hard to genuinely understand what most people are dealing with. And I’d agree, their actions don’t exactly scream deep concern for the struggles of ordinary people.

How many of these mega-rich types do you know personally? Because you'd have to know someone to know if they care. I presume you wouldn't make this sweeping statement unless you actually had some evidence...

The man I work for funds a charity providing therapy to disadvantaged children. The man my husband works for funds an environmental charity focussing on the ocean. Both are British and very focussed on philanthropy in their areas of interest. Most very wealthy people I know, I’m not one of them, give to charity or are very involved in philanthropy in one way or another, giving money or time or both. Not me, I’m just out here trying to make ends meet!

Not the same influence as a billionaire, of course but even a few million puts you in a position to fund projects, invest in businesses or initiatives you believe in, support causes in a substantial way or open doors for people through connections. It’s not about single-handedly fixing the world but there’s still a lot more capacity to make an impact than most people will ever have.

Suppose it depends what you mean by "rich".

Take a trip over to the inheritance tax thread.

Most people are into preserving their wealth above everyone else's, even from beyond the grave.

Champagne socialists tend to talk a good game but when the chips are down it's all about me and mine.

I agree OP. If wealthy people really cared, they would use their wealth to create equality. It's not by chance that rulers of the more corrupt countries have wealth, and have historically always had wealth, while their people starve.
The "evidence" is the inequality.

(I am not including MNers on 6/7 figure salaries in this, there is not a lot they can do about inequality and I am sure many of them do care)

Some might be doing a lot quietly and I’d be happy to be wrong about this. But from what I’ve seen and read, the scale of the need versus the visible impact from those with extreme wealth doesn’t really match up. It’s less about wanting them to “show off” and more about questioning whether their actions are proportionate to their means.

A net worth of a few million isn't going to go far funding much at all, even if they gave away every £. You seem a bit delusional about what real lasting change costs.

I think it's fair to say that not enough rich people care or care enough. Whether this is down to ignorance, politics, a lack of empathy or a combination of both will vary.

I don’t personally know billionaires but I’ve interacted with and observed people in that truly insulated bracket through work, media, and public life. My view also comes from patterns in how extreme wealth is spent, invested, and protected, and from data on philanthropy vs tax avoidance, lobbying, and wealth hoarding. It’s not about claiming all wealthy people don’t care but about recognising how often the reality doesn't match the image they present.