Paleo Retiree writes:
Real money, eh? Upper-middle class life vs. middle-middle class life … I grew up thinking that a little more money than my parents had might grant me access to many of the good things in life — better art, more ease and style and travel, higher-quality chitchat. I imagined that, with a little extra dough, I’d be able to enjoy the fun of being middle-class plus get to enjoy more leisure and better trimmings. But what I discovered was that the “people with real money” world often turns out to be (by my I suppose sentimental middle-class standards) supercold, beyond neurotic, amazingly self-interested, and emotionally harsh. The houses, the entertainment, the clothes and such really are prettier … But the human price you have to pay to inhabit that world is often ‘way too high for me.
Nothing against a little extra money, of course.
Blowhard, Esq.
Callowman
Sherbrooke
Eddie Pensier
Enzo Nakamura
Epaminondas
Fabrizio del Wrongo
Fenster
Brundle Guy
Glynn Marshes
Paleo Retiree
Atypical Neurotic
Question Lady
Sax von Stroheim
Sir Barken Hyena
The Mistaken
Uncouth Reflections 
Money is one thing, and the ability to move up the class ladder another. I think if offered the lottery jackpot I would surely take it, despite the cautionary tales about how riches don’t buy happiness. But I would definitely turn down the option of using the money to mingle with the upper crust, or to fake my way into admittance for the sake of my self-esteem or my kids.
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A culture of the rich, or a comment on the quality of ambition, ruthless/ eccentric, required to get there?
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You don’t want to get too cozy with that crowd. They are surrounded by sycophants and money-grubbing family members who are salivating over the prospect of inheriting millions. And when this class begins to lose their wealth, they are pathetic and vicious. If you must hang around the monied classes, it’s best to be around entrepreneurial types who are actively creating wealth. They are much more interesting in many cases, though they tend to be alpha types who won’t give you the time of day if they think you’re a toady. Another irritating aspect of these rich folk, especially the trust funders, is their propensity to use people to further their political ends. They are constantly attempting to climb social ladders and get on friendly terms with the famous and powerful. Why bother being a pawn in that set. You’ll get run over and humiliated faster than you can say Lear Jet.
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