What is "rich", as in "He's rich"?

[snooper]

As a side issue from the Your ideal job? (if money didn't matter) thread started by shereads, what do you consider the definition of rich?

By most people's opinion I am not rich; that is to say, my income is relatively small.

By my opinion I am rich because:
if I want another bottle of wine, I can afford to buy one,
that is to say there is nothing I do not have which I want but cannot afford.

I cannot afford a Rolls-Royce, but I no longer drive, so that doesn't matter.

I cannot afford a new computer, but this one works fine, a little slow by modern standards, but fine.

I cannot afford fine clothes, but I never go anywhere where I would want to impress people.

I cannot afford expensive jewellery, but I have never worn jewellery anyway.

One day I want to visit the Hermitage museum, but I can afford that; it's all the travel that puts me off.

I have many regrets about my life, but few (if any) of them would have been prevented by having more money.

 

[oggbashan]

It depends

Different cultures have different ideas of what is 'rich'.

In purely monetary terms the tradition in the UK used to be that if you could afford to buy a new Rolls-Royce without asking 'How much?' then you were rich. Of course if you actually were rich you would want a discount for cash - that's how you got rich.

If you have all you want to own, and you do not have to worry how you will pay an unexpected bill, then you are rich in your own terms.

The problem with being 'rich' is that there is always another hill to climb. You may think you are rich, but someone else is always richer. You may be rich compared with most of your friends but with money comes increased opportunities and increased possibilities for new interests. Can you afford another Renoir?

If you own your own house outright and have sufficient money to finance all your children through university and can buy each of them a house - you are very rich by UK standards.

In some African countries owning more than ten cows makes you rich. In some, owning a change of clothes is an impossible dream. Having enough food to feed yourself and your extended family would be very rich.

Og

 

[cloudy]

Good point, as always, Og.

I am not "rich" according to most people. However, I really don't want for anything. I have friends who worry every month about how they will pay their normal monthly bills. I am fortunate in that I don't have that worry (most of the time).

There are things I would like to do that I am not able to readily afford, like travel more. My family is farflung and I would love to see more of them, but it's not something I can do without saving for months, but I suppose that is a small thing.

 

[Guest]

 

[curiousphantaC]

Apparently to become a member of the super-rich you need upwards of £50 million.

I would love to filthy rich, I'd behave completely irresponsibly and blow it all by buying something really stupid, like a missile defence system, or perhaps I'd invade Antartica and make loads more money from oil, or maybe I'd get the 100 most beautiful women and get each of them to give my willy a little suck; whatever, I'm sure I'd be ridiculously self-indulgent...

Unfortuanately I'm only rich by global standards, rather than local ones.

 

[gauchecritic]

Well, like other Lit folk I've been poor, for several years I was poor. No drinking, a lot less smoking, no new clothes, even had to buy small bags of coal by the day to keep the house warm. Compared to that I'm rich. In fact I'm richer now than I've ever been. But I make no where near the 'average' wage. I simply don't owe anyone money. In fact, I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I've actually owed money. (I mean loans and stuff, never had a credit card)

Gauche

 

[Guest]

"Rich" is meaningless to me in terms of money or property. I know there are too many people in the world who have and own too much, I do think there's truth in the term "filthy rich".

I know what poor is, I grew up in a housing project in Detroit, MI. My illiterate, widowed mother raised four children (ages 8 mos. to 10) on a social security pension. I first went to university on a pension from the VFW; later paid my way.

No one in my immediate family has ever owned property but for me when I was married (had to sell the house in the divorce). Only one of my brothers has a car. We all owe taxes each year. Neither of my adult sons has medical insurance.

I have a secure, good paying job with great health and other benefits. I am nearly done with paying credit debt, and only owe the feds and state otherwise. I felt lucky recently to be able to have my rabbit's teeth fixed so he wouldn't starve to death.

I feel "rich" enough re. material needs and money, but extravagantly wealthy re. friendship and love.

Perdita

 

[curiousphantaC]

I do think there's truth in the term "filthy rich".

What do you mean by this? (Just out of interest)

edit to add: I read it as don't think, the first time. I'm with you now.

 

[Xelebes]

As seeing myself being penniless right now and living with my parents, I could really use 10 dollars.

 

[CrazyyAngel]

I feel "rich" enough re. material needs and money, but extravagantly wealthy re. friendship and love.

Sadly for me its kind of the other way around. I have enough money and stuff to live (although as a student I wonder from time to time, how I pay my bills next month) ... but I feel rather poor regarding friendship and especially love.

Damn ... I am kind of in the mood to start that "Life out of balance" thread I've mentioned afterall ...

CA