Gransnet forums

Chat

Do you have preconceptions about rich people?

(29 Posts)
Sel Mon 15-Apr-13 10:52:52

I notice that The Sunday Times Giving List, which lists Britian's top philanthropists shows an increase of 21% over the previous year - £2.08b. A wonderful contribution to society.

gillybob Mon 15-Apr-13 10:55:14

Is it not still the case though Sel that those with the least to give (proportionally) give the most? smile

gracesmum Mon 15-Apr-13 10:57:27

I'm not sure what lies behind your question, Sel? I applaud the likes of Bill Gates and other (unsung) philanthropists, but similarly, along the lines of "the widow's mite", pensioners who fund raise for those worse off than themselves, people on low incomes who give to charity, those who volunteer - giving time because they do not necessarily have much money.
To answer the question, however, the only preconception I hold is that the rich have considerably more money than I.

absent Mon 15-Apr-13 11:07:49

No

janeainsworth Mon 15-Apr-13 11:12:28

I try not to have pre-conceptions about anyone Sel
Perhaps slightly off-topic, many years ago I worked in a low-cost dental clinic in Hongkong. The Chinese dentist who ran it warned me not to feel sorry for any old people coming in who might give the apprearance of being poor.
He said this was a deliberate ploy not to appear rich, in the hopes that we would feel generous and undercharge them.
A common sight in the Chinese banks was wizened old Chinese women in drab traditional dress, old slippers on their feet, fishing inside their cheongsams and extracting large wads of cash to pay in to their accounts. Being illiterate, frequently they had a seal to use instead of a signature.

Sel Mon 15-Apr-13 11:33:25

Interesting jane. I think there are people of a similar mind set here too. One hears of the old man who dies living in apparent poverty only to leave £x million in his will. Maybe they're worried about relatives smile

And gillybob yes, I agree. I've certainly found that from my own experience.

The article in The Times was prompted by the report that a tycoon (semi tycoon now as he's 76!) living on Jersey, who has given £100 of Co-op vouchers to every Jersey resident over 70, has now decided to leave his £100m fortune to the island's elderly.

gillybob Mon 15-Apr-13 11:39:22

Funny thing is Sel the islands elderly are probably all in a similar position to him and all loaded ! grin

Galen Mon 15-Apr-13 11:51:38

There are a lot of very poor pele in the channel isles as well as rich.

Sel Mon 15-Apr-13 11:58:06

According to the list too, Martin Lewis, he of Martin's money saving tips donated £60m to charity last year. Three cheers for the wealth and job creators grin

gillybob Mon 15-Apr-13 11:59:47

I do appreciate that Galen the remark was meant to be taken as a joke. smile

HUNTERF Mon 15-Apr-13 12:15:22

Several people have misconceptions about my wealth in particular my father's ex's supporters and I am not saying I am not comfortable.
According to them I have £10,000,000.00 in the bank.
I wish that was true.

Frank

gillybob Mon 15-Apr-13 12:20:31

I wondered how long it would be. hmm

Bez Mon 15-Apr-13 13:08:16

grin

Ariadne Mon 15-Apr-13 13:42:17

grin

cathy Mon 15-Apr-13 13:44:19

Rich people are from every walk of life and so are all very different, but I do very much admire people tat have become rich through their own efforts!!

sunseeker Mon 15-Apr-13 13:59:56

One of the richest people I know is a Doctor, he designed some equipment for use in surgery and has made a fortune from it, until he recently retired he worked up to 60 hours per week in the NHS, refusing to take private patients, he is in his 70s and only retired because his wife has been diagnosed with cancer.

cathy Mon 15-Apr-13 14:01:54

sunseeker he sounds an amazing man!!!

sunseeker Mon 15-Apr-13 14:12:55

He is and was a great support to me through my DH's illness

glammanana Mon 15-Apr-13 14:13:33

gillybob grin how predictable

HUNTERF Mon 15-Apr-13 14:33:08

cathy

You say that you admire people that have become rich through their own efforts!!.

I would say in our family that we are not rich but very comfortable due to a build up through the generations.

My great grandparents lived in council property. My grandparents got a private terrace house and then a semi and my father got a 4 bedroom dethatched property.
It was similar on my wife's side.

I went to London and got a house which was higher in value than my parents house because of the area but it was not as nice and came to live with my father after getting early retirement in London and inheriting my mothers half.

My in laws left their estate to my daughters and my wife left some of her share of our estate to them.

They are married and their husbands family are similar and they are improving on what previous generations have done.

Franl

laidback Mon 15-Apr-13 14:41:52

You don't need money to be 'Rich'

sunseeker Mon 15-Apr-13 14:49:00

You are right laidback but it certainly comes in handy when the bills arrive grin

Nonu Mon 15-Apr-13 14:49:55

It sure rates up there with oxygen .

kittylester Mon 15-Apr-13 14:50:28

I agree laidback and those who 'feel' rich give of themselves in anyway they can. smile

How does one classify rich, anyway? I would say we are comfortable, which would be classed as rich by some but I can feel very 'poor' compared to some people. confused

HUNTERF Mon 15-Apr-13 14:52:10

laidback

I see what you are saying.
If you have got no family etc. money will probably not make you happy.
It is however nice to have money to buy the granddaughters treats without having to worry about paying for them.
Also you could have a situation where somebody has a £30,000 per annum pension at 60 with little capital or somebody with £500,000 with little pension.
Assuming they both have nice houses etc the one with a £30,000 pension may be richer if he lives to 100.

Frank