If someone says, “Why don’t they just buy a new one?” you know they’ve likely never struggled with money. If someone casually mentions their summer home in the Hamptons, you know they’re probably not from a middle-class background.

Welcome to the basics of socioeconomic communication.

But as with all things human, it isn’t that simple. The world of the wealthy is nuanced and sometimes completely alien to the rest of us.

Luckily, some phrases are dead giveaways, and I’ve got 8 of them for you today. These are the phrases that people who grew up rich use that make them sound totally out of touch with the middle class.

Brace yourselves; some of these might surprise you.

1) “Why don’t they just buy a new one?”

This phrase is a classic, and it’s as frustrating as they come.

Why? Well, because not everyone has the luxury of replacing things when they break or wear out. For many middle-class people, it’s much more cost-effective to repair something than to buy a brand new replacement.

People who grew up rich often don’t understand this concept. They’re used to the convenience of replacing things without thinking twice about the cost.

This might seem like a harmless comment on the surface, but it’s actually quite revealing. It shows a lack of understanding of the financial struggles that many people face daily.

The truth is, buying new isn’t always an option. And when someone casually says, “Why don’t they just buy a new one?” it can feel like they’re completely out of touch with the reality of the middle class.

2) “I can’t believe they don’t travel more!”

Oh, boy. This one takes me back.

A few years ago, I was at a party, mingling and making small talk when a well-dressed gentleman struck up a conversation with me. We chatted about various things until the topic of travel came up.

“I just got back from my annual ski trip in Switzerland,” he said casually. “I can’t believe some people don’t travel more. It’s such an enriching experience!”

I remember feeling taken aback. As someone who comes from a middle-class background, international trips were a luxury we could seldom afford. We considered ourselves lucky if we managed a family road trip once a year.

His comment revealed a deep disconnect from the financial reality of many middle-class people, where travel is often viewed as a luxury rather than a given.

The assumption that everyone has the means to travel frequently illustrates just how out of touch some wealthy individuals can be with the lived experiences of the middle class.

3) “Public school just isn’t an option for my kids”

Here’s something to ponder: according to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 90% of children in the U.S. attend public schools.

Yet, for some people who grew up rich, the idea of sending their kids to public school seems unthinkable.

This phrase often comes from a place of privilege where private education is the norm. It disregards the reality that for many middle-class families, public school isn’t just an option – it’s the only option.

This disconnect shows an inherent lack of understanding about the economic constraints that shape the educational choices of middle-class families, making them seem out of touch with the reality most people face every day.

4) “Just put it on the credit card”

Ah, the old credit card solution. It’s a phrase that can make many middle-class people cringe.

The idea of just swiping a card for every expense is a luxury that many can’t afford. Credit cards aren’t free money, they’re loans with interest rates, and for those living paycheck to paycheck, they can lead to a dangerous cycle of debt.

People who grew up rich might not understand the gravity of this situation. They see credit cards as convenient tools rather than potential debt traps.

This phrase suggests a lack of understanding about the value of money and the financial struggles that many middle-class people face, making the speaker seem completely detached from reality.

5) “I just hire someone to do it”

Now, this one really gets to me.

I remember a conversation I had with a friend who grew up in a wealthy family. We were talking about household chores, and I mentioned how I had spent my Saturday fixing a leaky faucet.

His response? “Why didn’t you just hire a plumber?”

For him, the idea of doing manual labor was foreign. If something needed fixing, he would simply hire someone to take care of it.

But for many of us in the middle class, hiring help for every minor issue isn’t financially feasible. We learn to do things ourselves, not only to save money but also to gain valuable skills.

This ‘hire someone’ mentality shows a disconnect from the day-to-day realities of the majority of people, making them appear out of touch with the middle class.

6) “Money can’t buy happiness”

This phrase is often thrown around by those who have never had to worry about money.

Sure, money can’t buy happiness in the literal sense. But having financial security can certainly alleviate a lot of stress and provide opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

For many in the middle class, money can mean the difference between being able to afford a much-needed vacation, furthering their education, or even just paying the bills without stress.

Ironically, by downplaying the importance of money, people who grew up rich inadvertently highlight their own privilege, demonstrating just how disconnected they can be from the realities of the middle class.

7) “It’s not that expensive”

What’s considered “not that expensive” can be wildly different depending on your financial background.

For those who grew up rich, a $200 dinner might seem like a reasonable expense. Yet for many middle-class individuals, that’s an extravagant amount to spend on a single meal.

The phrase “it’s not that expensive” is a clear indication of this disparity.

It shows a lack of understanding about the value of money in different income brackets and can make the speaker seem utterly removed from the financial realities of the middle class.

8) “I don’t really pay attention to prices”

This is probably the most telling phrase of them all.

For many middle-class people, budgeting is a part of life. We compare prices, hunt for deals, and make sure we’re getting the most out of every dollar.

But for someone who grew up rich, price tags might not hold much significance. They have the luxury of choosing what they want without worrying about the cost.

This phrase shows an enormous disconnect between the wealthy and the middle class. It showcases a lifestyle where money is no object, a concept that’s foreign to many middle-class individuals.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, these phrases are more than just words. They’re signifiers of a larger disconnect that exists between different socioeconomic classes.

Remember, being wealthy isn’t inherently bad. But being out of touch with the realities of others can lead to misunderstandings and perpetuates a divide in our society.

The phrases we’ve covered aren’t meant to vilify the rich, but to highlight the importance of empathy and understanding in our conversations. Regardless of financial background, we all have a lot to learn from each other.

It’s about recognizing that our experiences aren’t universal and striving to understand perspectives different from our own. After all, isn’t that what makes us human?