To think that becoming wealthy changes a person

[Munichfam5]

I have a few family members and friends that have gone from a living a normal lifestyle to becoming very wealthy

They have gained their wealth from hard work and a bit of luck - think business sales, property development…

AIBU to think that when people become wealthy they start to move and socialise with people who have similar wealth as them ?

The family members for instance are what I would call social climbers, and socialise with people that are basically millionaires - I guess this is also to do with the DC’s being at a very expensive private school

I’m not trying to be negative - just asking AIBU to think this and why does this happen ?

Lots of things change a person, it's life.
Who wants to be the same as they were at 22?

So what do you think they should be doing, OP? Do you think them never changing, never seeing anyone except childhood friends and relatives, is a good thing?

And probably the reverse happens too friends and family drop friends and family that it is too expensive to hang out with or who they no longer share much in common with. People may be too embarrassed to invite their rich cousins to their modest home and worry about what food to serve, etc, when in fact the rich cousins don't care at all and would just like to see them. The problems tend to work both ways.

Well yes, new money it’s called isn’t it. Old money recognises and looks down on it though.

Yes this has happened to a family member who to be fair was a pain in the neck before but definitely worse after. A much bigger sense of entitlement.

also happened with a friend, it’s made her much more defensive and really tight. I’m not talking about me expecting her to pay. But say if we bought a round of drinks and her round came to £3 more than someone else in the group she would ask for the money to even it out. (This actually happened)

If they drop people, they didn’t like them much to start with. Money does not change people, it just gives them previously unavailable options.
Also in my experience a lot of people resent friends/ family becoming wealthy. Some make sly comments in order to bring them down or to use more the more passive aggressive phrase - ‘ remember where they came from’ .