Reddit Roasts 19 ‘Rich People Hobbies’: Unused Supercars, Trophy Hunts & Gold Toilets Rank High

What happens when you ask the internet to name the most baffling ways the ultra-wealthy spend their time and money? A brutally honest dissection, served with a side of sarcasm. A recent viral thread on Reddit’s r/AskReddit, sparked by user u/zer0w0rries asking for the “dumbest hobbies mainly enjoyed by the rich,” exploded with thousands of responses, painting a picture of opulence often perceived as absurd, wasteful, or ethically dubious. The consensus? When money is no object, the line between eccentric passion and performative extravagance blurs dramatically.

The thread quickly became a forum for venting societal frustrations with extreme wealth disparity, targeting pastimes seen as requiring massive financial outlay for little tangible return beyond status signaling or fleeting amusement. Redditors didn’t hold back, zeroing in on activities perceived as pure vanity projects, environmentally destructive, or simply bizarre displays of excess.

Rich People Hobbies Under Fire: The Luxury Garage Queens & Trophy Walls

Leading the charge were hobbies centered around acquisition without utilization. Topping many lists was the practice of buying immensely expensive vehicles only to let them gather dust.

1. “Buying an expensive car and then keeping it in your garage without ever actually driving it.” This sentiment resonated widely, viewed as the ultimate symbol of wealth so vast that using a prized possession becomes unnecessary. The car becomes a static trophy, not a machine for enjoyment or transport.
2. Trophy hunting, particularly targeting large, often endangered or iconic animals like giraffes or elephants, drew fierce condemnation. Users mocked the perceived lack of skill or sport involved: “Shooting a giraffe, like bruh it’s just standing there next to the road…” (u/Ok_Security_8657) and “Same with elephants, they just stand there facing off to you and you just shoot them. Sounds like a waste of time.” (u/Not_my_fault2626). Critics highlighted the ethical concerns and conservation impacts often associated with such hunts, frequently citing reports from organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on species vulnerability.
3. The obsessive collection of luxury brands purely for status, rather than appreciation of craft or utility, was another frequent target. Think solid gold toilets (“Buying solid gold toilets and other items.”) or closets overflowing with unworn designer items. The perceived pointlessness of such extreme consumption struck a chord.

From Performative Philanthropy to Ecosystem Disruption: Questionable Pursuits

Beyond mere acquisition, Redditors skewered hobbies perceived as self-aggrandizing, harmful, or exploitative.

1. “Performative charity” or voluntourism trips received significant flak. Comments specifically called out “Traveling to impoverished countries and calling it a ‘mission’.”, suggesting these often-brief excursions serve the traveler’s ego or social media feed more than meaningful, sustainable aid. Resources like Charity Navigator often advise on effective, transparent giving versus potentially harmful voluntourism.
2. “Climbing’ Everest.” was cited as an example of an elite adventure sport transformed, for some, into a massively expensive, guided status symbol, often raising concerns about environmental impact and commercialization on the sacred mountain.
3. The bizarre niche of “Cloning” beloved pets was mentioned, seen as an extravagant attempt to defy nature that few could even contemplate.
4. Building golf courses in ecologically inappropriate locations (deserts, sensitive coastal areas) was highlighted as environmentally destructive folly: “Golfing in locations where you simply should not build a golf course.” (u/DukeManbert).
5. Perhaps most disturbingly, using ordinary people as props drew ire: “Making one-dollar bets with other rich people that disrupt and ruin normal people’s lives. Social experiments and such. Basically using regular people as playthings.” This speaks to a deep resentment of power imbalances exploited for amusement.
6. An anecdote illustrated extreme performative environmentalism: *“I used to work at a very pricey private school… [a donor] took it upon himself to make these big-a* sculptures of extinct birds… installing these things in the last place the bird was seen, even if it was in the middle of the jungle… disrupting an ecosystem to put your piece of crap homage to an extinct animal in it?! How does that even make sense?”. This was seen as misguided at best, harmful at worst.

The Underlying Frustration: Status, Exclusivity, and Wasted Potential

The thread revealed less about the hobbies themselves and more about the public perception of extreme wealth disconnected from everyday realities. Many comments reflected a belief that these rich people hobbies serve primarily to:

• Signal Status: Demonstrating wealth so vast that time and money can be burned on the utterly non-essential.
• Create Exclusivity: Engaging in activities priced far beyond the means of the average person.
• Generate Content: Fueling social media narratives or providing anecdotes for elite social circles.
• Mask Boredom: Filling time with ever-more extravagant pursuits when traditional constraints vanish.

Must Know: Understanding the “Rich People Hobbies” Debate

1. What defines a “dumb rich person hobby” according to Reddit?
   Primarily, it’s an activity perceived as requiring exorbitant wealth for participation yet offering little practical value, skill development, or positive societal contribution. Key factors include extreme cost, exclusivity, potential for harm (environmental/ethical), and a focus on status signaling or conspicuous consumption over genuine enjoyment or utility. Think unused supercars or trophy hunting endangered species.
2. Why is trophy hunting so heavily criticized in these discussions?
   Critics argue it often involves killing large, sometimes threatened animals (like lions, elephants, giraffes) in controlled environments or from close range, requiring minimal skill but significant money. It raises major ethical concerns about animal welfare and conservation. Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) frequently highlight the threats many hunted species face. Redditors see it as a brutal display of wealth rather than a legitimate sport.
3. Is collecting luxury items always considered a “dumb” rich hobby?
   Not necessarily. Redditors specifically targeted extreme and non-functional luxury consumption, like solid gold toilets or buying brands purely for the label without using the items. Collecting art, vintage cars (if driven), or fine wines with genuine appreciation is often viewed differently than hoarding unworn designer goods or purely ostentatious displays solely for status.
4. What’s the problem with “voluntourism” or rich people doing charity missions?
   Critics argue that short-term, unskilled volunteer trips to impoverished areas (“voluntourism”) can sometimes do more harm than good, disrupting local economies, creating dependency, or providing unqualified labor. The perception is that these trips often prioritize the volunteer’s experience, social media content, or personal narrative (“calling it a ‘mission’”) over sustainable, community-led solutions supported by experts and transparent NGOs.
5. Are all expensive hobbies considered dumb by this standard?
   No. Hobbies like competitive sailing, collecting rare art with expertise, restoring historical aircraft, or high-level equestrian sports require significant investment but also involve deep skill, dedication, historical preservation, or athletic achievement. The criticism focuses on hobbies where the primary distinguishing factor is the sheer cost and the lack of apparent skill, purpose, or positive impact beyond the owner’s gratification or status.
6. Does this Reddit thread reflect broader societal views?
   While Reddit represents a specific online demographic, the thread taps into widespread discussions about wealth inequality, conspicuous consumption, and the ethics of extreme luxury. The frustration voiced aligns with broader debates about sustainability, ethical spending, and the responsibilities that come with vast wealth, topics frequently covered in mainstream economic and social commentary.

While enjoyment is subjective, the Reddit thread underscores a palpable societal friction point: extreme wealth enables pursuits that many perceive as detached from practicality, ethics, or environmental responsibility. From garage-kept supercars to controversial trophy hunts and performative philanthropy, these rich people hobbies often become lightning rods for criticism about privilege and excess. As discussions around wealth concentration intensify, the court of public opinion remains harsh on pastimes seen as symbols of waste over worth. What do you consider the most baffling luxury hobby? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.