Although the super rich have a tendency to gather in tight private enclaves, we do get caricatured glimpses of them in television, films and magazines. And there's the occasional Rolls or Bentley that pulls up next to us at a stop light, right? But what are their lives really like - on a daily, hourly basis?
With all their free time and money, what do they do all day long? What do they talk about? Where do they go? What do they look like when they come down to breakfast?
As head of the household staff for a super rich family, I actually live in a separate apartment here on the estate and have a first-hand perspective into the inner workings of their daily lives. I don't mind telling you I feel quite isolated at times, locked behind double gates to get into this place. Which brings me to you, and these late-night postings.
There's so many interesting, curious, and mind-boggling things about the rich I want to share. Amazing things - some stupefying, some funny. Things that inspire awe and admiration, and others that trigger disbelief, even anger.
Honestly, it's as though the super rich and the rest of us live on two different planets. In fact, in a book entitled Richistan
by Robert Frank (a Wall Street Journal reporter), the author suggests the "absurdly rich'' (as he calls them) live in an entirely separate country-within-a-country, which he calls Richistan.So I guess I'm reporting to you tonight from within the well-guarded boundaries of Robert Frank's Richistan - embedded, as it were.
I hope you'll find this interesting.
And thanks for dropping in.
Andrew
Your post is completely exciting to me! I'm in "Butler School", as you call it, in London. And your inside information is most welcome! I think I'd like to work in America! Your job sounds like a dream.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I stumbled across your website Andrew! Had heard about the book and when I googled the word "Richistan" I found you!
ReplyDeleteWe have recently acquired an inheritance (unhappily so) and I must face the enormous responsibilities of running a large estate in Canada. Your inside information about staffing and all that goes on among the staff has been very helpful to me. I do want to be a good employer, but have never actually managed a household staff. We hope you will keep sharing.
William and Ann
FUN FUN FUN! I hope this won't be a fly-by-night blog and that you'll keep writing, Andrew. Love hearing about how rich people do things! Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteOMG! I haven't revisited this post in years, and see that I've overlooked some very nice comments. My sincere apologies to all those above who took the time to read and comment. We are more sophisticated these days, and get to comments right away. I hope you're still reading, and again, my apologies.
DeleteAndrew