I have a habit of clicking on Buzzfeed listicles in my newsfeed. They're generally light, vaguely amusing reading, perfect for browsing when I'm sitting down at lunch. Occasionally they're even very insightful, such as the listicle that inspired me to write
The Unwritten Rules of Being Poor. But most of the time they're just vaguely insipid. Today, though, I clicked on one that was actively stupid.
"
Non-Rich People Are Sharing Subtly Obvious Signs Of Wealth, And Honestly, It's Pretty Eye-Opening" the title blared. "Eye-Opening" isn't the term I'd use to describe it. In fact the whole headline buries the lede. It should be something more like, "Online Randos Mock a Question We Post on Reddit, And We're So Lame We Can't Tell We're Being Mocked."
Here are just a few of the things Buzzfeed included in its list of things of subtle signs you're rich:
- You own a refrigerator with a water dispenser
- You buy new furniture rather than used
- You visit the doctor or dentist for non-emergency health care
- Your mom eats dinner with you instead of pretending she's not hungry because she can't afford enough food for everyone
- Your Crayola Crayons come in one of those boxes with a built-in crayon sharpener
- You have a basketball hoop in the driveway
- You live in a house with stairs
- You can afford a new mattress
- You take a vacation that's not visiting family
I grew up in a working-class family (lower-middle class) and had two-thirds of these. Including a mom who could afford to eat. Because, yeah, that's a sign of wealth. 🙄