When the Poor Are Trashy and the Rich Are Classy
- Madhukar Dama
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
INTRODUCTION:
Society has a strange mirror — it flips the meaning of behaviors depending on who’s doing them.
The same act that invites praise when done by the rich is branded as shameful when done by the poor.
Drugs become “artistic experimentation.”
Living with parents becomes “strong family ties.”
Being jobless becomes “soul searching.”
Wearing rags becomes “vintage couture.”
This isn't about morality.
It’s about power, money, and the permission that privilege buys.
This list is not just a collection of double standards —
It’s a blueprint of how status rewrites truth,
how poverty is criminalized while wealth is romanticized,
and how society worships rebellion only when it’s wrapped in luxury.
Let’s tear it apart — hypocrisy line by line.
Here’s the first 50 behaviors in clean, plain text format — exposing how society praises the rich and punishes the poor for the same acts:
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TRASHY IF POOR, CLASSY IF RICH – PART 1
1. Taking drugs – “Addict, junkie” vs. “Tortured artist, wild soul”
2. Day drinking – “Drunkard” vs. “Brunch culture, wine tasting”
3. Being bilingual – “Confused, local accent” vs. “Worldly, global citizen”
4. Avoiding taxes – “Fraud, thief” vs. “Smart tax planner”
5. Wearing torn clothes – “Ragged, dirty” vs. “Vintage fashion”
6. Living with parents – “Dependent” vs. “Strong family values”
7. Not working 9–5 – “Lazy” vs. “Free, entrepreneur”
8. Going to therapy – “Mad, weak” vs. “Emotionally intelligent”
9. Having many partners – “Immoral” vs. “Sexually liberated”
10. Naming kids strangely – “Weird, uneducated” vs. “Creative, artistic”
11. Wearing bright colors – “Tasteless” vs. “Bold, expressive”
12. Dropping out of school – “Failure” vs. “Visionary”
13. Waking up late – “Lazy slob” vs. “Creative night owl”
14. Having tattoos – “Criminal” vs. “Designer ink, edgy”
15. Taking long breaks – “Irresponsible” vs. “Soul-searching sabbatical”
16. Not having kids – “Incomplete” vs. “Minimalist, intentional”
17. Driving old vehicles – “Broke” vs. “Vintage enthusiast”
18. Not owning a house – “Unstable” vs. “Digital nomad”
19. Eating with hands – “Uncivilized” vs. “Cultural authenticity”
20. Living off-grid – “Backward” vs. “Sustainable, conscious”
21. Having mental illness – “Dangerous, unstable” vs. “Deep, complex mind”
22. Posting selfies – “Attention-seeker” vs. “Lifestyle branding”
23. Laughing loudly – “Vulgar” vs. “Contagious charisma”
24. Not wearing shoes – “Poor” vs. “Grounding, natural”
25. Reading spiritual books – “Escapist” vs. “Awakened, mindful”
26. Getting divorced – “Failed marriage” vs. “Empowered journey”
27. Wearing fake jewelry – “Wannabe” vs. “Playful accessorizing”
28. Bargaining – “Annoying” vs. “Shrewd value-seeker”
29. Having many kids – “Reckless” vs. “Big legacy family”
30. Being unemployed – “Loser” vs. “Reinvention phase”
31. Being too thin – “Undernourished” vs. “Model-like”
32. Being overweight – “Lazy” vs. “Curvy, confident”
33. Laughing in public – “Cheap” vs. “Authentic presence”
34. Speaking native language – “Uneducated” vs. “Proud of roots”
35. Staying single – “Unwanted” vs. “Independent & thriving”
36. Spending on luxury – “Wasteful” vs. “Good taste”
37. Being religious – “Superstitious” vs. “Spiritually grounded”
38. Wearing local fabrics – “Dull” vs. “Handcrafted, artisanal”
39. Home-schooling kids – “Unqualified” vs. “Progressive educator”
40. Talking to self – “Crazy” vs. “Reflective genius”
41. Starting many ventures – “Unstable” vs. “Serial entrepreneur”
42. Owning pets – “Messy” vs. “Animal lover”
43. Doing housework – “Servant-level” vs. “Grounded, mindful”
44. Eating leftovers – “Desperate” vs. “Zero-waste hero”
45. Wearing second-hand clothes – “Used goods” vs. “Sustainable chic”
46. Having a messy room – “Unclean” vs. “Creative chaos”
47. Visiting temples/churches – “Idle” vs. “Spiritual discipline”
48. Raising animals at home – “Village lifestyle” vs. “Organic farming”
49. Being barefoot indoors – “Primitive” vs. “Mindful living”
50. Living in a village – “Backward” vs. “Nature-rich, intentional”
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Here comes the next 50 behaviors that society judges differently depending on your wealth:
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TRASHY IF POOR, CLASSY IF RICH – PART 2
51. Repeating clothes – “Can’t afford new ones” vs. “Minimalist, intentional dressing”
52. Cooking simple food – “Boring, poor man’s meal” vs. “Rustic, clean eating”
53. Traveling by train/bus – “Low status” vs. “Sustainable travel experience”
54. Having home births – “Unsafe, uneducated” vs. “Natural, holistic choice”
55. Using herbal/home remedies – “Superstition” vs. “Ayurvedic wellness ritual”
56. Sleeping on the floor – “No bed, poor” vs. “Spinal health, grounding technique”
57. Doing manual labor – “Labor class” vs. “Fitness hack, biohacker routine”
58. Living without AC – “Can’t afford luxury” vs. “Eco-conscious lifestyle”
59. Owning few things – “Has nothing” vs. “Minimalist aesthetic”
60. Talking loudly – “Crass, uncultured” vs. “Charismatic, assertive”
61. Raising goats/chickens – “Rural, dirty” vs. “Organic farm-to-table life”
62. Collecting bottles/junk – “Ragpicker” vs. “Eco-artist, upcycler”
63. Using bicycles – “Low income” vs. “Urban green commuter”
64. Being spiritual but not religious – “Lost, confused” vs. “Conscious awakening”
65. Skipping meat – “Can’t afford meat” vs. “Plant-based, vegan elite”
66. Wearing loose, oversized clothes – “Untidy” vs. “Boho-chic”
67. Not speaking English fluently – “Low class” vs. “Authentically rooted”
68. Doing gigs or part-time work – “Struggling” vs. “Portfolio career”
69. Not having a savings account – “Irresponsible” vs. “Asset-rich lifestyle”
70. Meditating all day – “Unproductive” vs. “Monastic focus, elevated mind”
71. Borrowing money – “Debt trap” vs. “Leverage strategy”
72. Leaving a salaried job – “Risky, stupid” vs. “Bold transition story”
73. Eating local street food – “Unhygienic” vs. “Cultural exploration”
74. Wearing beads/threads – “Religious fanatic” vs. “Spiritual accessorizing”
75. Not using deodorant – “Smelly, poor” vs. “Natural body care enthusiast”
76. Not brushing hair – “Messy, careless” vs. “Bohemian, artistic”
77. Having no retirement plan – “Unprepared” vs. “Living in the now”
78. Speaking broken grammar – “Illiterate” vs. “Raw, poetic authenticity”
79. Not having a car – “Poor” vs. “Low carbon footprint”
80. Living in small spaces – “Crowded” vs. “Tiny home movement”
81. Making own clothes – “Cheap, desperate” vs. “Sustainable fashion creator”
82. Not following news – “Ignorant” vs. “Mental health detox”
83. Avoiding smartphones – “Behind times” vs. “Mindful disconnection”
84. Using earthen pots – “Primitive” vs. “Sustainable, aesthetic”
85. Avoiding makeup – “Plain, poor” vs. “Natural beauty icon”
86. Fixing own belongings – “Can’t buy new” vs. “DIY sustainability”
87. Taking hand-me-downs – “No dignity” vs. “Vintage collector”
88. Having loud family gatherings – “Chaotic” vs. “Cultural richness”
89. Growing vegetables – “Farmer’s life” vs. “Home-grown organic produce”
90. Hanging clothes to dry – “No dryer, poor” vs. “Eco-friendly laundry practice”
91. Reading public library books – “No money for books” vs. “Community-minded intellectual”
92. Listening to folk music – “Outdated” vs. “Roots revivalist”
93. Spending time alone – “Lonely, unwanted” vs. “Self-reflective”
94. Living without a fridge – “Under-equipped” vs. “Raw food lifestyle”
95. Reusing containers – “Cheap habit” vs. “Sustainable kitchen”
96. Making home decor by hand – “No taste, crafty” vs. “Rustic elegance”
97. Using public toilets – “Filthy” vs. “Adventurous traveler”
98. Keeping small change carefully – “Desperate” vs. “Intentional budgeting”
99. Being unshaven – “Unclean” vs. “Rugged, wild charm”
100. Walking barefoot in nature – “Backward” vs. “Earthing practitioner”
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“Two Mouths for the Same Wine”
— after Charles Bukowski
they said she was dirty
washing clothes outside,
bucket, stone, wet feet—
while their goddess dipped silk
in a porcelain sink
with lavender soap and a camera.
they said the child was uncultured
eating rice with fingers,
licking joy off his palm—
while their Montessori prince
ate ragi with two fingers
and three hashtags.
they said he was drunk,
under a neem tree, glass shaking—
while their man
raised a crystal flute at brunch
and called it tasting notes.
i watched
as the same acts
were ripped in half,
stitched with gold on one side,
spit on the other.
truth is—
the poor did it for survival.
the rich
did it for style.
and they still
bowed to the stylish.