Wealth isn’t inherently bad, and growing up rich doesn’t automatically make someone entitled or out of touch.
However, it’s true that when someone has only known financial security and privilege, it can shape the way they think and see the world in ways they might not even realise. While plenty of rich people are down-to-earth, some develop habits and attitudes that can be frustrating to those who didn’t grow up with the same luxuries. Here are some of the more obnoxious traits you’ll only find in people who grew up with a silver spoon in their mouths. Their financial situation isn’t their fault, but their attitudes certainly are.
1. They assume everyone has a financial safety net.
People who grew up with money often don’t understand what it’s like to truly struggle financially. They assume that if things go wrong, there’s always money somewhere to fix it. They might say things like, “Why don’t you just ask your parents for help?” or, “You can always take a break if work gets stressful,” completely unaware that for many people, that’s not an option.
2. They’re out of touch with the cost of everyday things.
Source: Unsplash Someone who grew up rich might casually suggest a £200 dinner as if it’s no big deal, not realising that’s an entire week’s (or even month’s!) grocery budget for someone else. They often have no idea what a normal salary looks like or how much things like rent, bills, and food actually cost when you don’t have unlimited resources. Their idea of “affordable” can be wildly different from reality.
3. They assume travel is easy for everyone.
Source: Unsplash Posh people tend to see travel as a normal part of life. They might talk about summering in Italy or skiing in the Alps, without realising how unattainable those experiences are for most people. When someone casually says, “You should just take a trip to clear your head,” they’re not being malicious—they just don’t understand that for many, travel isn’t as simple as booking a flight.
4. They expect top-tier service everywhere.
When someone has grown up with staff, concierge services, and VIP treatment, they can develop unrealistic expectations for customer service in everyday life. They might get impatient when a waiter is busy, act entitled when things aren’t done exactly to their standards, or expect personalised attention in places where it’s just not realistic. What’s worse is that they tend to get a bit haughty when a business or person doesn’t roll out the red carpet for them.
5. They struggle to understand financial anxiety.
Source: Unsplash Many people stress over unexpected expenses, rising rent, or whether they can afford to take a sick day. But someone who comes from money may not fully grasp the emotional weight of financial instability. They might say things like, “Money isn’t everything” or, “Just don’t stress about it,” failing to realise that for many, financial worries aren’t just a mindset—they’re a daily reality.
6. They assume expensive tastes are normal.
Source: Unsplash When someone has always had the best of everything, it skews their perception of what’s normal. They might be shocked that some people buy supermarket-brand groceries instead of organic produce or drive a car that’s more than five years old. They’re not necessarily trying to be snobbish; it’s just that luxury feels standard to them, so anything less seems like an unusual choice rather than a necessity.
7. They’re overly casual about career success.
Someone who grew up rich might assume that networking, unpaid internships, and career breaks are just part of life, unaware that many people can’t afford to work for free or take risks without financial backup. They might say, “Just follow your passion” or, “Take time to figure out what you really want,” not realising that most people don’t have the luxury of waiting for the perfect opportunity.
8. They don’t realise how much privilege shaped their opportunities.
Some wealthy people believe their success is purely due to hard work, ignoring the advantages they had—top-tier education, family connections, or the ability to take risks without financial consequences. They might dismiss other people’s struggles as “excuses” because they’ve never had to navigate life without a built-in safety net. It’s even more annoying when they refuse to admit that they started way ahead of everyone who didn’t have their privileges.
9. They find budgeting strange.
For someone who’s never had to worry about running out of money, the idea of budgeting can seem unnecessary or even restrictive. They might struggle to understand why someone needs to plan every expense so carefully. If they ever do budget, it’s often for fun, such as setting limits on how much they’ll spend on designer clothes, rather than a necessity for survival.
10. They assume money problems are temporary.
When someone has always had money, they often believe that financial problems are just a phase, not a long-term reality. They assume that if you’re struggling, it’s only a matter of time before things improve. They might suggest, “You just need to work harder” or, “Things will turn around soon,” without understanding that for many people, financial hardship isn’t a temporary situation; it’s an ongoing challenge that will likely last the rest of their lives.
11. They don’t understand the emotional impact of debt.
For rich people, debt is often something strategic, like taking out a loan for a business investment. They don’t always understand the stress of carrying debt that feels impossible to pay off. They might assume everyone can just “get a loan” or “refinance” without realising that debt isn’t a choice for a lot of people—it’s a necessity for survival, and they’ll probably never get out of it.
12. They struggle to grasp the concept of living pay cheque to pay cheque.
If someone has always had financial security, the idea of running out of money before the next pay cheque might seem foreign to them. They may not realise how common it is to have just enough to cover the basics, with nothing left for savings or unexpected costs. They might casually suggest solutions like “Just save a little each month” without recognising that, for lots of people, there’s simply nothing left to save.
13. They assume money always brings happiness.
Source: Unsplash Many people who grew up well-off believe that financial stability automatically leads to a happy, stress-free life. While money certainly provides comfort, it doesn’t eliminate emotional struggles, mental health issues, or life’s unpredictability. They might be confused when someone with money isn’t completely happy because they’ve been taught that wealth is the key to solving all problems.
14. They don’t realise how lucky they are.
Perhaps the most frustrating trait of all is that a lot of rich people don’t recognise just how much their background has cushioned them from the tough stuff in life. They might genuinely believe that their lifestyle is normal, unaware of just how different life is for those without the same resources. Without that awareness, they may struggle to truly empathise with people from less privileged backgrounds.
