I feel nervous around people a lot richer than i am

My son has a friend who is a great kid and I just met the parents. They are both doctors and have a lot more money than we do, their house is huge and they have been all over the world. I never thought it would bother me but I feel almost intimidated by this fact even though they seem nice. We live in a small apartment and I feel weird about inviting them over because Im afraid they will think of us as" crappy little poor people" or something. The kids are young enough not to have these social observations... Is it normal that I feel this way or am I being paranoid?

Voting Results
77% Normal
Based on 31 votes (24 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • Aliceee93

    Why is everyone so serious?
    Acting so damn mysterious?
    Got your shades on your eyes,
    And your heels so high,
    That you cant even have a good time.

    Its not about the money, money, money,
    We don't need your money, money, money,
    We just wanna make the world dance,
    Forget about the price tag,
    Aint about the uh cha-ching, cha-ching,
    Aint about the yeh ba-bling, ba-bling,
    Wanna make the world dance!
    Forget about the price tag!

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    • lol if that's yours, you should publish it!

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      • Aliceee93

        Haha i wish! It's jesse J!
        In other words, jut because someone is rich doesn't make them better, you should be proud of your life and home and family :) just the way it is!

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  • disthing

    I think it's normal to feel intimidated by people who, at least superficially, seem significantly more successful and affluent than you are.

    However, think about how YOU would behave if you met a family poorer than your own. Would you think of them as 'crappy little poor people'? Would you judge them harshly for not being the same economic status as your own? Would you be wary of letting your kid play with their kid?

    If those fancy doctor parents are good people, they'll judge you by your character, not your bank balance.

    Also it seems healthy for both children to experience different backgrounds, the haves and the have-nots, whilst remaining friends. That kind of thing reduces social stigma and materialism. So bite the bullet and invite them over.

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    • I wouldn't think any less of people poorer then me at all(though theyd have to be close to homeless! haha).
      Good point.

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  • thegypsysailor

    I think your feelings are completely understandable. However, I wouldn't let them direct the relationship, especially for your kid's sake.
    After all, most doctors earn their living treating people from all walks of life, so they shouldn't be all that status conscious.

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  • My02cents

    Most of the time the "rich" people have way more debt than you do.

    Never be intimidated by money.

    Also money can`t buy class.( Now i`m referring to the TV series :The Braxton family values"..super rich, but people i don`t wanna greet anywhere as they are too common for my liking.

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  • wandaring0

    It depends on the other parties personalities and also where your apartment is. It is nice to say "people will judge you by your character and not possessions", but this is truly a lie in our material, business world.

    I live in a high crime area, and some people are afraid to visit local businesses, let alone my house, for fear or robbery, etc. So, I think it is normal for the parent of a child not from a certain area to want to protect their child from possible harm or bad influence from an area with a bad reputation. If you don't have cool toys and the "things" that are popular with other kids of society, then you won't have any means to "impress" your guests or visitors. Little kids certainly have the ability to judge what toys are fun and what are not. It is fine to expose children to all types of people, but little kids will prefer the fun toys. Let's be honest: people are innately selfish. If you don't have something to offer someone in return, in some way, then it is not beneficial to know you.

    But, you could look at the opportunity as a means of garnering a positive business connection. The doctors could be impressed by your hospitality and work ethics and offer you a job that will help your social status. Or, they will not like you and perhaps your kids might not ever play together. If you stink, have roaches or mice, have uncomfortable chairs, bad tasting food, or some other affliction of poverty, then it is a natural human reaction to want to avoid what you don't like. People could have the greatest integrity and be "sweet as pie", but if I get sick being around them, I am going to want to avoid them. I'm sad society is the way it is, but is isn't fair and never has been. I can relate to your concerns, as I am also poor with no money. But, I have a bit of comfort in being poor as well as discomfort with being poor. I have no friends or impressive things, but I have less worry about with things being stolen, etc. No friends means less drama and conflict also... but my life sucks because all I do is exist.

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    • We dont live in a bad area, actually we live close to them (ours is an apartment and they live a mile away in a big house).Were clean and everything. We just have a small apartment and ho-hum jobs. We dress nicely, keep our son well dressed and have manners.
      Luckily they both like playing cars and pretend mostly and we have lots of cars.

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  • phoenix_paradox

    Feel the same about my more wealthy than me friends... :/

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