Study: The rich drink more than the rest of us
Today, in an interesting Everydaymoney piece, colleague Gordon Powers detailed how rich people are – despite any objections – different from the rest of us.
In essence, he noted, the wealthy are less likely to be as charitable as those earning normal incomes, according to a University of California study.
And yes, he’s right. The rich are different. They also drink more.
Indeed, if we’re counting the ways the affluent make themselves dissimilar from the rest of society, let’s not discount this piece of juicy info from the market researcher Gallup.
According to their recent study – in which participants divulged their annual income and were asked “Do you have occasion to use alcoholic beverages … or are you a total abstainer?” – Gallup’s results suggest that, almost definitely, people drink more based on their yearly earnings.
Note the accompanying chart, which does little to dissuade that thinking. About 46 per cent of participants earning less than $20,000 per year said they have “occasion” to drink, as opposed to those earning $20,000-$29,000 (51 per cent), $30,000-$49,000 (66 per cent), $50,000-$74,999 (78 per cent) and more than $75,000 (81 per cent.)
Now, we’re not going to take these results as scripture, of course. Who’s to say people were entirely honest about their drinking and, moreover, what’s to lead us to believe there’s anything of shame to drinking on “occasion,” in the words of the study?
Still, the findings do paint a picture opposite to what we’ve been led to believe about alcoholism. It’s the stereotype of the world that says poor people drink more, and especially during the recession, that’s been the case.
In fact, not but earlier this year we read a report saying downturn-ravaged consumers weren’t drinking less, they were just drinking worse. “We are too poor for fancy alcohol” read the Consumerist headline in describing how liquor sales had maintained but shifted toward favouring cheaper, discount brands.
Who knows if these Gallup results, then, are the most accurate portrayal, or if they just mean rich people are attending charity balls with open bars more than ever these days?
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
(*Image source: Gallup/New York Times.)
Posted by: Shar | Aug 12, 2021 10:55:57 PM
It is interesting that the poor are often blamed for over consumption of alcohol as being their greatest vice. I wonder if it is the rich who say this to veer attention away from themselves.
Posted by: mike | Aug 13, 2021 1:38:47 AM
they also break the law and get away with it with there rich lawyers and dumb judges
Posted by: Chris | Aug 13, 2021 2:25:49 AM
Unfortunately the study's finding are being interpreted incorrectly here.
While there may be more people within the rich bracket that drink on occasion, it makes no mention of the amount they drink.
"It’s the stereotype of the world that says poor people drink more, and especially during the recession"
It could still be that, OF the poor people that drink, they drink more. It's just that a smaller percentage of poor people drink, probably because of the cost.
Posted by: Rob | Aug 13, 2021 3:29:10 AM
You're right Chris. Measuring the percentage of people in income ranges who "have occasion to drink alcohol beverages" is meaningless. If you drank ten drinks per year, your answer would be the same as if you drank 10 drinks per day. This study is embarrassingly biased.
Posted by: Newfie | Aug 13, 2021 8:10:56 AM
More money = More beers
Posted by: Ryan | Aug 13, 2021 4:21:23 PM
No wonder, considering how a couple of drinks can be more than the price of your food at a restaurant. They can afford it!
Posted by: Ron | Aug 13, 2021 9:41:05 PM
Wow..What kind of moron figured this one out. They should be awarded the a**hole for the year award. OF COURSE THE RICH DRINK MORE!! THEY CAN AFFORD THE OVER TAXED ALCOHOL! The honest working class simply can't afford it anymore.
I can't believe they had to conduct a study to get that one figured out.
Posted by: Dr. J Steed | Aug 15, 2021 11:59:08 AM
This survey and article are a joke. There is no indication on quantity of alcohol consumption. What is the point of making this distinction between rich and not rich? I spend $25,000 per year on alcohol, but the quantity I consume is much less that the average. I just don't buy the cheap $25 bottle of wine, but the $400+ bottle. So what? BIG DEAL! So what if the rich can afford to do this?
Posted by: yeahright | Aug 15, 2021 4:04:24 PM
okay mr steed the point is that you do. You have the social cricunstance and the time and money but you sir decided to drink, what you say is $25,000 per year so you by your own admission drink more than me for example,I being poor drink at most twice a year so the rich do drink more oh arogant one. It is a lifestyle choice..why drink..unless you do so for social or contact that is business contact reasons, but the rich do..how sad..to be rich is to be drinking..sad sir oh so very sad.
Posted by: Dr. J Steed | Aug 15, 2021 5:08:49 PM
@yeahright... You are the one that is truly sad. What is the problem that I drink? I enjoy the odd glass of wine with my meals, and I do drink at social and business gatherings. You make it sound as though drinking is all I do. If it were, I wouldn't be so wealthy. The $25,000 I spend per year does NOT reflect quantity. Responsible comsumption of alcohol is not an evil; far from it. I also share with others. I am being ridiculed for my lifestyle because of my wealth. Why? Jealousy is why! I am in perfect health, have raised wonderful kids who are now pursuing their own professional careers in medicine and engineering. So sir, am I sad??? I think not! One other question: what makes you the perfect one? So you drink only twice per year, and I drink more. So are you claiming to be the ideal? And to think you are calling me the arrogant one! If you want see arrogance, look in the mirror.
Posted by: Dr. J. Steed | Aug 15, 2021 9:02:44 PM
Mike... Where do you get off thinking that the rich break the law and get away with it? I know that some do, but I also know many poor that break the law as well. I certainly don't break the law, and it is insulting that anyone assumes that I do simply because I am wealthy. Mike, I think you are just a lazy underachiever who takes his anger out on others. Hopefully I am wrong, and maybe you can seek help to resolve your issues.
Posted by: bob neil | Aug 16, 2021 12:10:53 AM
chris and rob pretty much summed this up.....meaningless...so why the quarrel?
you dont have to be rich or have a bad habit to have a glass of wine with EVERY supper.
A couple beers a few times a week is better than soda, and has its place.
poor people might stick to pot, if they actually consume less..ha.. almost all trades do so on the job these days.
the real thing is that there is a lot of homeless that have 0 income,nada but wouldnt be the bottom of this list.
and the kicker is, that (working or not) students would put the rich to shame..
the high income bracket is more like middle class ...
and no arguments from responsible winos please...
Posted by: L | Aug 16, 2021 7:56:39 AM
Well "bob neil"...I believe the quarrel because the person who writes these articles likes to get people quarreling. This article does not make a good discussion at all. The rich drink and the poor drink, different booze maybe, different reasons maybe, different times maybe. Who cares though.
Posted by: John | Aug 17, 2021 12:34:11 PM
If these statistics are correct, I only have one comment....the rich drink more because they can afford to, withthe price for booze today!
Posted by: billiam | Aug 17, 2021 1:53:26 PM
dr j steed shouldn't get so upset by other's reactions around here. every one of his comments reads like a PR campaign raising everyone's awareness that dr j steed is indeed filthy rich. regardless of topic, it can be a bit tiresome.
by stating that you spent 25 grand on alcohol (apparently you are unaware that other people live on that amount of money) you not only have boasted...but have left yourself open for criticism as well.
not too hard to understand, really.