What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know nothing about? (2015)

Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by myself248 on Monday May 19, 2025 @09:19AM (#44029565)

My mom worked at a law firm where one of the partners retired, moved to England, and bought a castle. As one does. He told this story while back in the States for a party:

Castles are old. And drafty. And need a LOT of renovations to bring them up to a modern standard. So he had immediately set upon this work, hiring contractors, picking out high-end appliances, arranging for the import of Italian marble countertops...

And once the place was looking nice, he threw a housewarming (castlewarming?) party, and invited all the folks from the neighboring castles. And at this party, he was regaling one of the old-money guests with how nice the downdraft range was, and how it really felt special with the new counters.

"Fascinating.", replied Old-money. "I have never been in my kitchen."

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by toyg on Monday May 19, 2025 @11:49AM (#44031095)

That's a classic put-down (and a lie).

English aristocracy really knows how to cut someone to size when they feel like.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by acuozzo on Monday May 19, 2025 @12:30PM (#44031549)

> how to cut someone to size

This, thankfully, only works when the recipient of the cut-down lacks self-assuredness.

If Mr. New-Money Castle Owner wears pride in knowledge & expertise on his sleeve, then no amount of snobbery will have an impact.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by narrator on Tuesday May 20, 2025 @04:04PM (#44045357)

Have you ever read "Remains of the Day?" Not sure how close to reality it is, but it's a fiction book about the servants culture of those who worked for British aristocracy in the mid-20th century. I can see how a true British aristocrat would only have servants enter the kitchen.

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Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by myself248 on Tuesday May 20, 2025 @06:57PM (#44046758)

Furthermore, it would be an insult for them to do so. That would imply that the servants' performance had been so lacking as to require some sort of direct investigation or intervention. At least, that's how it was explained to me.

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Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by toyg on Thursday May 22, 2025 @04:19PM (#44066422)

Even medieval lords had to survey their lands from time to time. Competent aristocrats would periodically survey their belongings, if anything to ascertain that the good stuff was still there.

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Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by toyg on Thursday May 22, 2025 @04:16PM (#44066396)

"Remains of the Day" was written by a Japanese, excuse me for not taking it as a documentary. In reality, aristos are closer to what you find in Wodehouse.

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[dead]

Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by tomhow on Sunday May 25, 2025 @06:17AM (#44086811)

Please don't register accounts to break the guidelines with.

Be kind. Don't be snarky. Converse curiously; don't cross-examine. Edit out swipes.

When disagreeing, please reply to the argument instead of calling names. "That is idiotic; 1 + 1 is 2, not 3" can be shortened to "1 + 1 is 2, not 3."

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

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Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by RemainsOfTheDay on Tuesday May 27, 2025 @03:21PM (#44109923)

I get that, and it will be the exception. Unfortunately, the comment I responded to deserved to be called out, beyond its xenophobic tone. (Btw, I can't find it anymore.)

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Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by big_paps on Monday May 19, 2025 @11:32AM (#44030940)

This is so dandy

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Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by FreebasingLLMs on Monday May 19, 2025 @09:34AM (#44029707)

This is such a dickhead attitude it makes my fucking head hurt. What is the purpose of life to these "Old-money" types? To sit around and do nothing and flex on others? What an insufferable cunt and a reject of a human being. I love when "Old-money" fags get butthurt by "New-money" fags. Bitter cunts getting assblasted will always be entertaining.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by financltravsty on Monday May 19, 2025 @12:24PM (#44031489)

It's old-world ragebait. Falling for it is lowly -- like you don't know the game.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by fennecbutt on Monday May 19, 2025 @01:19PM (#44032176)

Damn bro, shut your damn mouth using that offensive word for people like me. It's fucking 2025. Hurr durr 4chan kid, that site is dead now time to grow up.

I hope dang senses a disturbance in the force.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by HaZeust on Monday May 19, 2025 @04:29PM (#44034479)

You sunk to his level. First mistake.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What do wealthy people buy, that ordinary people know not... by fennecbutt on Tuesday May 20, 2025 @10:03AM (#44041835)

No. I will always react to homophobia with aggression. There is no bargaining to be had or pleasantries to be exchanged.

[ Parent | on HN ]