“When the people shall have nothing more to eat, they will eat the rich,” was a rallying cry which rose out of the French Revolution in the late 1700s. Cut to 2020, and it’s now a rallying cry for extremely online young people who’re rightly frustrated with insurmountable inequality.
Now TikTokers have been using the phrase (almost) literally, pretending to devour a delicious millionaire until they look up at you, dear viewer, and realise that you yourself are unknowingly a member of the upper classes.
You see the problem is that nobody can decide who will eat the rich and who will themselves be eaten.
Things like having a second fridge in your garage, having an intact phone screen, or even having Spotify Premium are all signs that you’re up next to be eaten, apparently.
Obviously, the whole thing is just a joke, but it’s still interesting to reflect on. Here’s what TikTokers are debating about as signs of being lowkey rich.
A second fridge
Yep, your grandparents’ old fridge which your family inherited may as well be an industrial-grade coolroom.
@airfryertotsJSKSJK ##fyp ##foryou ##eattherich ##NeedToKnow ##PajamaJam ##leftist ##lgbtq♬ yt is chillytunees – chillytunees
Queue the second fridge apologists flooding the comments in 3… 2…
…or even just one fridge with an ice dispenser
If a machine makes your ice, you need to check your privilege and start marinating yourself.
@earlyworminniti have to wear a mask in my kitchen dont ask ##fyp ##eattherich♬ yt is chillytunees – chillytunees
Most people couldn’t deny this one.
Going on exchange
Nobody wants to hear you flex about how shitfaced you got outside the Lourve. Just admit your semester abroad was a holiday with course credits and go.
@verboten.internNow you’re the baguette♬ yt is chillytunees – chillytunees
Nobody really debated this one, despite how common it is to go on exchange (at least in Australia).
Spotify Premium
What’s that? You just got through a whole playlist with no ads? Guillotine, bitch.
@ratapologistcan’t trust anyone these days ???? ##spotify ##GivingThanks ##pov ##emotional ##needtoknow ##fyp ##foryoupage ##eattherich♬ Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington, Jr.
This one got people particularly riled up in the comments.
Smooth ceilings
If your ceilings don’t have that weird, scratchy popcorn texture, then you’re rich.
@jonnybragg##eattherich ##joke ##kinda ##unless ? ##fyp ##leftists♬ yt is chillytunees – chillytunees
Apparently this was news to some folks, who were probably too busy counting their wads of cash.
Cars with push-button ignitions
Bold of you to assume I even have a car, but point taken.
@miawooothis vid was motivated by pure jealousy ##WhenWeWereYounger ##NeedToKnow ##PajamaJam ##harrypotter ##liberal ##spiritual ##eattherich♬ yt is chillytunees – chillytunees
Awks for everyone with a 15-year-old, second-hand car that has push-button start
Four-slot toasters
That’s too much hot bread for one person. Too much money, too.
@goth.jesus##eattherich ##thisisajoke ##pov ##wishuponastar ##carelesswhisper ##uk ##fyp ##fypシ ##trending ##ye ##communism♬ yt is chillytunees – chillytunees
But this one had people livid.
Intact phone screens
Remember that trend where rich kids would deliberately crack their phones to appear more edgy? Maybe they were on to something.
@scottpilgrimvsyourmomI like this trend ##fyp♬ yt is chillytunees – chillytunees
This one was a stretch, according to most commenters.
An en suite
If you can shit where you sleep, you have money. Too much of it, in fact.
@gothic_.cowboyWHY ARE THESE VIDEOS SO FUNNY TO ME ABSJSB ##FallGuysMoments ##FamilyRecipe ##foryou ##foryoupage ##fyp♬ yt is chillytunees – chillytunees
In the comments, users pointed out that this particular TikToker tried to participate in the meme while inadvertently flexing her fancy-ass fork. Cancelled!
Time to reflect
Sometimes the most delicious rich person is… the person reading this.
That’s what one TikToker realised, when she pulled out a fork against herself in the mirror after remembering that she had snagged a vegan frozen meal that was discounted in store.
@amylstockwellit was a bargain tho ##ASOSinthebag ##VeryBlackFriday ##eatingtherich ##pov ##marksandspencer ##vegan ##food ##fyp ##trending ##watchmegrow ##indie♬ yt is chillytunees – chillytunees
As someone to whom several of things apply to, I feel very seen. Please do not eat me, I beg you.
