Do Rich People or Poor People have better etiqutte?

Question

(Generally and or specifically)

Answer 1

economic status doesn't guarentee good manners.

Answer 2

It depends. Some rich people have good etiquette. Some do not. Some poor people have good etiquette. Some do not. Personally, I do not think it is something that is really distinguishable by class, at least, not in quantity or quality.

What kinds of etiquette tend to be followed, however, may vary. For example, studies and many anecdotes suggest that rich people tend to not tip as well as poorer people. However, studies and anecdotes also suggest that poor people are less likely to cover their mouths when they sneeze. The thing is that most of the things that poor people do that we see as being bad etiquette is out of ignorance, or is culturally accepted in their part of society. Etiquette is relative, and based on accepted (and understood) norms.

Of course, all of this is based on tendencies, and there are many, many exceptions on both sides of the class barrier.

That said, rich people should, in theory, have a better knowledge on what is generally accepted as being proper and what is not. So I would argue that a rich person who practices bad etiquette is worse than a poor person who practices bad etiquette. But even then, it really is a matter of context.

Answer 3

I would say rich people have better etiquette because they are generally exposed to situations where good etiquette is required.

Poor people learn those things if they are wise enough to realize how beneficial good manners can be, but they have less opportunity to absorb etiquette as a general rule. You witness good manners at cotillion, and not so much at the flea market. You'll see better table manners (in general) at Morton's than you will at Taco Bell.

Conversely, I would say it is often true that people with poor etiquette are less affluent. No manners = no promotion and/or no marriage into a wealthy family.

This is just a generalization based on my own lovely family.

Answer 4

I have noticed from living around the country that southern people have better etiquette. In fact, the richer people have worse manners in comparison to the lower classes. My sister is a school teacher in a small town in South Louisiana, a very cajun town. Those children say "Yes Mam" & "No Mam" among other things. Southern children also know they are going to get their butt spanked by their parents if they look at them funny. I have noticed that more educated parents from the north want to reason and negotiate with thier kids and try to "talk" with them. hahaaha. Does not work most of the time! A lot of those kids grow up with a lack of respect and bad manners.

Answer 5

I think you need to divide 'rich' people into 'new' and 'old' money.
The 'old' money rich generally have breeding which engenders good etiquette.
In my experience 'new' money rich are the most objectionable because they tend to be the most arrogant and possess an aspiration to show off newly acquired wealth which in itself is poor etiquette.
Many poor people are so due to circumstance but have been raised to observe good manners and consideration for others which the 'new' rich have relegated in favor of their own self obsession

Answer 6

Rich people can be very rude and arrogant, poor people often have the philosophy that things are easier for everyone else and feel put upon and can be very rude. In general, I think that rich people tend to be ruder overall because they lack a genuine understanding of the plight of others but most people who are or have been poor feel for others and even forgive the rich their ignorance.

Answer 7

Rich people tend to have a more *artificial* etiquette, whereas poor people tend to have a more *genuine* etiquette - as etiquette is defined as those social protocols that show that you respect the other person, valid traditions, and a right order and goodness to things|




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Answer 8

It depends. I've known some rich people who don't know how to use a knife and fork (they only use a fork to eat) and I've known poor people who know how to use full set silver service dining ware.
Etiquette used to be something the "old rich" learned throughout generations of training, but I've found nouveau riche (new rich) people are crass, uncouth and expect the world on their plate just because they have money.

Answer 9

Its not about rich or poor when it comes to etiquette its about how the person was raised and what kind of home training they received.

Answer 10

You ain't never going to be with rich people so what does it matter?

John MacArthur was an extremely rich man here in Florida, MacArthur Dairies. He was the biggest slob I have ever seen. So money doesn't matter

Answer 11

etiquette is proper behavior and does not remain exclusive to a sector of society. it is like having rank, title or wealth, they do not buy nobility, honor, culture. in being gracious and gracefull does not require a million or a penny.
sadly, some think otherwise.