Back in 2022, I wrote about why it's deadly to believe someone is rich based on their lifestyle. During my childhood to teenage years, I used to think someone was wealthier because of reasons like:
- Their parents spoil them with generous allowances.
- They're driving a luxury car everywhere they go.
- They have expensive parties every year.
- They have a lot of luxury brands.
- The children have so many toys.
The list can go on and on, and I believe I might type too many words from there. I grew up with people bragging about how rich they are, even if the claims are preposterous. It's common among children to brag about what they don't have. Unfortunately, some never outgrow that dangerous habit and grow up with a fake rich lifestyle. This is the lifestyle where one wants others to think they're rich, even if they're not rich.
The rule of fake rich reverses the advice above. Instead, the fake rich lifestyle says, "Buy a USD 500.00 bag never mind you have nothing in it. Don't buy a USD 75.00 bag with USD 425.00 in it. Never mind being broke as long as you look rich." Unfortunately, so many Filipinos have this mentality going on (read here). In fact, it was already shown several times over. One would choose the applauses of fair-weathered people over the balance in the bank. One would want to have people say, "Oh, he/she must be so rich to ride a plane every weekend!" This reminds me of the types of people I've cut contact with. In fact, that's why I ended up saying, "If I had children, they would only have what they need. I will not be a miser, but I will not be an overspender either." It's all about living a balanced life. Be thrifty, not stingy!
Here's a classic example. There's nothing wrong with being a fan of One Direction. However, some people have put too much priority on the One Direction concert, as if One Direction knew them. If they could afford it and still have food later, why not? However, this incident is incredibly hilarious. It seems to go like this, "I don't care if I don't get to eat later, as long as I can watch the upcoming One Direction concert." Wow, talk about that. If you can't eat anything now, can the One Direction concert (which I believe came several months later) pay for your expenses? This incident shows the problem of the fake rich mentality. The fake rich have their priorities set wrong!
Besides, I also avoid the fake rich for another reason. They tend to judge a book immediately by its cover. These are the type of people who can also be the fake nice people. The fake rich are only nice to people if they know who they are. Otherwise, if you're not some important person, you can forget them treating you well. They would judge you by the car you drive (although Dhar Mann's videos can go overly exaggerated since no self-respecting CEO will ever drive a rust bucket), the phone you use, the color of your skin, etc. In short, if you fall short of the standard of the fake rich, you're definitely going to be treated badly! They will start to bootlick and beg for forgiveness if they know you've got lots of money hidden. I don't need people like that in my life.
When it comes to fake rich people, I say forget it. I can let them look down at me for all I care. These fake nice people are not needed in my life.