Who has the nerve to take on the mega rich?
In recent days, I have heard the following three statements as part of normal chitchat.
‘Oh, they are a lovely couple, really nice, they have just moved to a lovely house in Emirates Hills.’
‘He is a delightful guy, once you get to know him... opening another branch in Kenya, his business is booming.’
‘She has no airs about her even though they ooze money, she is so sweet and unassuming.’
‘Must go and say ‘hello’ to Mr Moneybags, he’s made the Forbes list again of the top ten richest.’
What is the connection between lovely, delightful people, and the lack of arrogance on the one side, and the wealth on the other?
Why does the latter sanitise the individual and cram him or her with virtues that may or may not exist, purely on the grounds that this person is uber wealthy? Don’t pretend it doesn’t happen or that you haven’t heard similar comments. The reason why we make this quantum leap in faith based on the yardstick of money power is because we are frightened and intimidated by the access it offers these people to resources. They can pummel the rest into submission and be ruthless and that is why we gibber and render space to them and also see their collection of status symbols as aspirational. Ergo, we are in awe of them and hence the deference.
Then we take it to a whole other level. We give them a benediction in terms of intellect, wisdom and grace, happily volunteering to offer them the benefit of doubt. Their jokes are funny, we laugh out extra loudly and we cling to their words. See it unfold in a social gathering. The moment one of them enters, there is a desire to make contact, there is this visible need to go forward, impose on the person and play let’s pretend. Most of us are gratified if we are given a nod of recognition. Money is power and we understand that.
The aura around the wealthy be it staff, sycophants, hangers on, the whole nine yards, is impressive, and has a narcotic effect. We are numbed into surrender. Their rudeness is seen as refreshing honesty. The advanced boorishness, as an endearing characteristic. Their indifference to your time is an aberration you understand. The cruelty brought by such wealth is interpreted as the much needed killer instinct and the list goes on, distilled by us for our convenience.
Clearly, there are exceptions and I can visualise you reading this piece and saying to yourself, migoodness, who is this writer, how can he speak for us, we are not like that, the mega-rich mean nothing, wouldn’t give them the time of day. Sure, right, no argument, you are not a pathetic little belly crawler, of course, you are not, but allow me the indulgence to say it like I see it, and then you can destroy my theorem and stay content.
In capsule, we see them as our betters, a superior breed even if they are crude and coarse and ill mannered. Money doesn’t buy class but we offer it for free.
They are not wired like the rest of us nor is their life marked by the detritus of the daily grind. Then one day, your paths cross with one of these citadels of currency and you come into a small deal for them which is actually a huge one for yourself.
Things are going fine till they suddenly go horribly wrong. The warmth and the access stop overnight without explanation and none of it is your fault. With the caprice of being ultra rich, that individual has just lost interest in the collective enterprise, he has bigger fish to fry and your little sortie is just a putt on par 3 of his personal golf course. He loved the journey, not the getting there and he no longer gives a hoot about you or the little exercise you had both embarked on. And he is not going to pay you what he owes you, contract be damned, he simply pretends you do not exist. His secretary who was your friend and offered you tea and biscuits now is unavailable. Okay now what?
You have been kicked out into the cold. Do you fight or let it go because the rich always win. Money power will trump your being right. You talk to friends and they tell you, let it go or they say, fight, come on, but they don’t really care one way or the other. A few who actually do (care) hate how it is eating you up inside and say look ,whatever it takes, we are with you, you want to go to court, do it, just stop being miserable.
You cannot believe you have been taken for a ride, it just is so outrageously humiliating.
One good friend says, walk away, he will have a thousand lawyers, let it be.
It is the gall, the crust. The insufferable conceit that pricks. And in the end it is your decision. Not to do to everything you can, is cowardice. As Oprah Winfrey said two days ago at the Golden Globe Awards night, the truth is our best weapon. And the truth is you were cheated. What would you do? Tell me honestly. Fight the giant in some fashion, be it court or public opinion, or slink away and hope the fates will get him for you.
Why does [wealth] sanitise the individual and cram him or her with virtues that may or may not exist, purely on the grounds that this person is uber wealthy? They can pummel the rest into submission letters@khaleejtimes.com