I know money can’t buy happiness blahblahblah.
Do they do gift exchanges at all?
Do they ask for anything?
They have enough money that they could get anything made or done for them at a moment’s notice. Like having ChatGPT, but for services. Ridiculous things we couldn’t imagine.
Anyone have any insight into general trends along those lines?
I’m hardly Bill Gates but can buy myself most anything I want.
Quality time with loved ones is the best birthday present.
Is it more like you decide what to do, and you ask loved ones to take the day off?
Or you ask them to plan something to do together?
(Not meaning to pry or anything, I’m just curious how the motivation works)
And if you’d like to share, what was your most memorable birthday present/experience?
I don’t mean to offend, but are you asking how to spend quality time with your loved ones?
Either of those options works, imo. Or you don’t need to plan anything at all, just “meeting up for coffee” is nice.
Yeah, no worries, I was just wondering if it works differently for rich people, lol
At a certain level of richness, if someone says “I can’t, I’m working”, the rich person could say “I’ll pay you for the day” or something, lol
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Yeah, not all gifts are special because of monetary value. A thoughtful gift beats out an expensive gift at any income bracket.
It’s probably also about things that he’s just not aware of. While he can buy anything, knowing about everything is impossible.
I’m nowhere near Bill Gates money and never will be.
I think amongst my circle of family and friends, I probably net 3-4x more than the highest earner I know. For the most part, I can buy myself whatever gadgets or books or food or things I typically want.
But…I don’t, well, I don’t always.
In fact, oftentimes I find myself putting off buying Book A or B because I just don’t feel like it’s a good use of money right now.
Sometimes I won’t even buy myself new socks until all of mine have been worn down to absolute tatters. I own two pairs of jeans and one pair of shoes and they’re going to go until they completely fall apart.
Other times, I want this new game and I don’t buy it because I can’t really justify it for how much time I might end up having for it.
But if anyone I know gets me any of the above or similar, I’d honestly be super happy. It removes that mental battle for me and I get something I actually want / need.
Confirming the stereotype that rich people are tight-fisted Scrooges.
In my defense, at least in 2023, I’ve spent more money on donations, paying other people’s medical premiums, holiday and birthday gifts for others, and vet bills than anything directly for myself 🫣
It’s not that, I can be the same way. I don’t feel I need or have the time for a lot of things. I help charities and do reduced rate work for non profits all the time. Ask me to buy myself sushi, and I’ll consider if I really need O Toro tonight.
Do they do gift exchanges at all?
Bill Gates famously would participate in Reddit’s secret Santa
I tried that one time. I went over budget and sent a really nice gift. I didn’t receive a gift myself. Then my recipient reported that I didn’t send a gift. I got banned.
Good old Reddit :)
Oh, that’s true. I feel like he posted the things he got, didn’t he? That could be interesting to look up
Doesn’t take extreme wealth for that. I make enough that I can buy whatever I want. The best Christmas gifts are things I wouldn’t think of needing or wanting.
For birthday, it’s usually just a dinner without gifts.
I think that some people, regardless of wealth/income don’t really want “items” to unwrap. That makes sense.
I was imagining that, for Bill Gates (etc.), they could literally just hop on a private jet and fly anywhere in the world to eat at any restaurant they want prepared by a world-class chef. So even certain experiences would be hard to match at home.
Is it usually a home-cooked dinner or a restaurant for you?
They probably just go on vacations and spend time with family and people they love.
No insights, but all the money and resources in the world couldn’t replicate a homemade customized gift of some kind. Probably end up with a lot of knitted scarves and hats lol.
This. He probably keeps all the cards his kids made him
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When it comes to a point where someone can buy anything they want, gifts become more of non-material things, like spending time with family or personally crafted items that aren’t necessarily expensive.
Have you ever heard the saying “It’s the thought that counts”?
Yes, but mostly in a derogatory way, lol
People that are well off, I would expect want genuine people around them for holidays. Like an old friend or close family.
This is just one angle:
It’s because money and resources are only valuable in a literal, clinical way. It’s a math problem that beats us over the head until we start thinking that’s how you measure value. That crap is how we sustain our bodies but not our “spirit.” True value comes from humans transmuting basic matter into feelings, sentiments, memories. All the money in the world couldn’t help Gates buy a good gift for himself. He needs people close to him to transmute objects into meaningful gifts.
I think the richer you are, the more aware you are that “money can’t buy happiness.” When we plebs hear this we can’t help but think about the literal value of things, but if you’re rich it takes on a different connotation. Though I can only assume and extrapolate what it must be like.
Besides what’s already been said, pictures of family and friends is something he can’t buy.
That’s why I keep all the pictures of family and friends I’ve collected from other peoples houses in a secret room attached to my bedroom.
Hey, I’ve seen you around before…
Any non-rich family or friends would probably be happy to pose for a polaroid! Lol
Politicians.
I’ve talked about it with people who are not rich themselves but who are around the mega rich because of their jobs… Apparently at a certain point, “things” lose their meaning and experiences become their new materialism. Hence why so many rich people get caught up in depraved shit that makes it on the news, because theyre down the rabbit hole of collecting wild experiences as opposed to cars or jewelry or whatever other entry level rich person stuff. Flexing becomes more about “have you been to x, have you done y” etc
