The New Rich

This is a picture of a recent incident in Texas, where a man accidentally swerved off the road and drove his $1 MILLION dollar sports car into the marshy water. The car he drove is a Bugatti Veyron and is currently the world's most expensive car. Apparently a low flying pelican distracted him, making him drop his cell phone and while reaching for it, veer off the road. Reports say the celebrity driver (no name released) was in a pretty good mood about the whole thing. In fact he shared with the tow truck driver that he had just been on a call with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and kept getting so many other celebrity calls, he finally had to turn off his phone.


This article was the second thing this week that sparked my curiosity about those who live under the "New Rich" label.

On Thursday, I attended an event that my father invited me to. It was an appreciation dinner for those involved in a specific non-profit organization. It was held at an enormously fancy french restaurant nestled in a popular Salt Lake canyon. I felt out of place from the beginning. Pulling my car-seat filled, crumb covered SUV up for valet parking was a first for me. I gathered up the books and lunch bag resting on the passenger seat and threw them in the back before Mr. Valet took my keys.

Walking into a private ballroom decorated with live vines, plants, and trees from ceiling to floor, I was greeted with a rose and escorted to my reserved seat. I got there before anyone else. I knew no one, but the event coordinators were kind and complimentary of my father, so I felt a little better. Sitting alone at the table for eight, I was soon joined by two others.

A man who looked to be around 70 years old dressed in a nice dark suit, blue tie, large gold cuff links and a diamond encrusted watch pulled the chair out next to me. His wife, a beautiful 30-something brunette wearing bright red lipstick, six strands of diamonds, a fur wrap and an enormous diamond ring took her seat as he gingerly pushed it back under the table.

With no one else to talk to, the couple introduced themselves to me and we began chatting. The gentleman was FULL of things to talk (or brag) about. He talked about his previous ownership of the property behind the magnificent restaurant, his connection as chief advisor to the prince of Ethiopia, their trip to Morocco, ordering cheese and bread to their room every night and spending over $10,000 in one boutique alone. They talked of their travels, their purchases, their connections, and their seemingly happy life.

It was interesting to notice how inadequate I felt during the course of our conversation. I thought about the clothes I was wearing. The fake diamond earrings in my ears. The scuffs on my shoes, and the lack of knowledge I had about world travel.

I also thought how annoying it was to listen to him talk. It was especially annoying in this atmosphere. An event intended to share the need of help for children and families in developing countries. We were looking at pictures of kids living in huts, families trying to make a living and wells being built with old tires. It was oddly hypocritical.



These experiences have really driven home the fact that it is so much more admirable when a person is humble. I see this all the time with Sonny. (Who is probably squirming in his seat reading this and will want me to take it off.) For example, Sonny has owned a Ferrari, but drove his $500 chevy truck trade-in he got 4 years ago instead. He always tells people he's a car salesman, that's it. He doesn't ever say he OWNS a car dealership. People always assume he's the "lot tech" because he details many of the cars. He doesn't correct them by spouting his credentials, he just lets it go.

His attitude about humility teaches me every day.

I hope that as life continues and success grows (fingers crossed) that someday I will be sitting at that table again. I will know that I too have the money that could buy the lifestyle of these "New Rich" but the only acknowledgement I will give of that fact, will be a wink to my husband sitting next to me. Then, at the end of the night I can secretly write a big fat check to help build a school instead of buying designer clothes at a boutique in Morocco or a million dollar Bugatti Veyron.

www.interweavesolutions.org

*** In case you want to help someone now, Interweave Solutions is a non profit organization that can make that happen.