The Uneasy Feeling of Being Seen as Rich
People who are comfortable at home may not feel rich.
Picture a couple named Graham and Ellen. They sit at a cafe terrace in a coastal town, tea in hand. A man at the next table is looking at the plate of pastries. Ellen feels her face warm. "I am not sure why I feel guilty," she says. "I only bought breakfast."
People who are comfortable at home may not feel rich. Abroad, the view can change. Your pound, euro or dollar goes further in some places, and neighbours notice.
What people describe
In Portugal, one writer felt uneasy walking with food in front of hungry people. I do not think he was complaining about the place. He was describing a feeling in himself, a sense that daily comfort looked different from where he stood. It is the kind of honesty I respect.
In Greece, a newcomer wrote that some people called arrivals "money on legs". The tone was wary, not angry. As I understand it, the writer was hearing a joke that was not entirely a joke. I would not blame anyone for the thought. It is simply how a visitor can appear from the other side of the counter.
In Croatia, a story from Istria said locals were wary of foreign neighbours until the price was right. I read this gently. A person who has a house to sell and a neighbour who wants to buy may feel torn, and both feelings are human. Nobody here is a villain.
How it differs by place
| Place | What people describe |
|---|---|
| Portugal | Personal unease about visible comfort near people who have less |
| Greece | A wary joke about newcomers and money |
| Croatia | Mixed feelings about foreign neighbours, tied to what homes are worth |
Reading it fairly
I think it helps to keep two things apart. One is how newcomers feel. The other is how neighbours feel. A retiree may feel ordinary and still look comfortable. A local may be glad of new customers and still worry about rising costs for their own family.
Neither feeling is wrong. In my reading, the people who settle in well are often the ones who accept both. They do not apologise for having enough, and they do not show it off either. They pay attention to the people around them, and over time they become known by name, not by wallet.
A small moment
"Do you think they see us differently?" Ellen asked.
"Probably," said Graham. "Maybe we could say hello more often and talk about money less."
She laughed. "That I can do."
You could…
- Shop at local businesses and learn the names of the people who run them.
- Notice how you talk about prices in front of neighbours.
- Join local events, with no aim beyond showing up.
- Ask one neighbour how newcomers are viewed, and listen without defending.
How do you feel when you stand out in a place, and what do you do about it?
Tell us in the comments