Immediate Observations Made by Individuals from Modest Backgrounds Upon Entering Luxurious Homes:
Working-class folks sure do notice a thing or two when stepping into the abode of the wealthy, bub. It's not just about the cold hard cash and keeping up with the Joneses, it's about the nuanced workings of their daily lives that differ from ours.
From the silence that's almost deafening with its absence of distractions, to the overly expensive decor that serves no practical purpose (other than looking fancy), these are the 11 things working-class folks can't help but notice when they float into a wealthy home.
- Deafening Silence
It's a sight to behold, folks. No chaos hanging about, no mess to clean up, and never a TV blaring. It's a tranquility that sometimes borders on the sterile. The reason? They've got free time up the wazoo, replacing our grocery shopping, child-rearing, and second-jobping sessions.
- Expensive Decor
Most of our decor is utilitarian - school portraits and calendars with all our responsibilities scribbled on them. But wealthy homes? A veritable art gallery, where the art serves only as eye candy. After all, they've got the dough to curate a home aesthetic while we're struggling to pay rent or mortgage.
- Quiet Luxury
Look at that fancy kitchen appliance, or that designer candle burning in the corner. To the working-class eye, it seems garish, extravagant. But the wealthy prefer a subtle, aristocratic finesse - a quiet luxury that speaks to those who are in the know.
- Multiple Living Rooms
"Family room" and "formal living room"? Sounds pretty normal, yeah? Well, in wealthy households, that's often a daily ritual, maintaining separate rooms with unique decor, almost like rigidly austere spaces for entertainment.
- Luxe Bathrooms
Fancy baths with all the bells and whistles? That's the kind of thing working-class folks notice instantly when they step into a wealthy home. LED lighting, high-end hygiene products, and luxurious appliances are the order of the day here.
- Technology Overload
From smart TVs to security systems and touchscreen fridges, technology is a given in the homes of the well-to-do. Even if it costs them a pretty penny, they're OK with splashing out for convenience. After all, wealth lets you buy control, comfort, and ease with a Tesla key fob.
- Well-Groomed Pets
MetLife studies reckon it costs nearly $1,400 per year to own a dog. But wealthy pet owners? They don't stop at organic food and training - they spoil their pets with travel, sitters, and constant grooming. It's the pampered parts of pet ownership that catch the eye of the working-class.
- Fresh Groceries
"Fresh" is the name of the game in expensive homes, from the produce on the counter to a wide range of herbs out in the open. It's part of the reason they stay in tip-top health, with access to nutritious foods and conveniences afoot.
- Matching Decor
One of the most striking things about a wealthy home is the sleek, carefully curated design - from curtains to tiles to throw pillows on the couch. Coordination is King in here, while our homes look like a mashup of years of living, heirlooms, and furniture finds.
- Blooming Beauties
Fresh flowers, plants, and greenery? That's what wealthy households are known for, bringing a touch of nature into their homes. They're not worried about the cost or sustainability, only about the joy they bring for a few days.
- Matching Towels
Even in the bathroom, it's all about the coordinated decor - fluffy, white towels, rugs, and bathrobes. Much like their decor, this is a seasoned show of opulence, one that working-class folks can't help but admire - even if our linen closet is a motley mix of colors, sizes, and materials.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a staff writer with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies. She specializes in psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
- Zayda Slabbekoorn, a staff writer with a background in psychology, delves into the tales of differing lifestyles, uncovering the nuances in the homes of the wealthy.
- In her explorations, she highlights the attention-grabbing aspect of matching towels in wealthier homes, a display of opulence that often contrasts with the diverse linen closets of working-class families.
- The art of home decor is another area where the wealthy and working-class diverge, with the former curating a sleek and coordinated design, while the latter's home often reflects a mashup of years of living, heirlooms, and furniture finds.
- Slabbekoorn's work also sheds light on the advent of technology in wealthier homes, where smart TVs, security systems, and touchscreen fridges are common, despite the high costs associated with these luxuries.
- Lastly, she discusses the contrast between pet care in wealthy households and that of the working-class. While MetLife studies suggest it costs nearly $1,400 per year to own a dog, wealthy pet owners often go beyond the basics, providing travel, sitters, and constant grooming for their pets.
