The White Lotus Season 3 whisks us away to Thailand's top-tier resorts, where tropical paradise meets tangled love stories. This new season has captivated millions of watchers at home in just a few episodes.
Of course, we're watching too. This season blends luxury and drama that translates surprisingly into our own dating lives.
Here's everything we're taking away from The White Lotus this season when it comes to uber-rich and luxury dating.
There are spoilers ahead for the first four episodes–you've been warned.
This season, we're off in Thailand with an (almost) entirely new cast. There's one new family, one trio of girl best friends, and a bunch of new couples to explore in this rich people dating drama.
Here's a quick introduction to some of the relevant characters so you know what we're working with:
Of course, there are some other characters. But we have to stay on track. We're here to analyze the characters and their dynamics as they relate to high-class dating.
These past three seasons, the White Lotus has offered a glimpse into the lives of the uber-wealthy. But is it just stereotypes? Or do the rich people dating depictions hold some merit?
It turns out that wealthy dating is indeed like this.
At the end of the day, it boils down to the personality type of the rich. There are specific traits that many rich people have in common. Mark Travels, an American psychologist, writes extensively about these rich traits of the uber-rich.
Here's a breakdown of the 5 research-backed traits of the wealthy:
You'll see this across every season in The White Lotus. Wealthy people are attracted to unique experiences in novel settings like Hawaii, Sicily, and now Thailand. They're willing to take risks with interesting experiences.
In Season 3, you can see this in several of the rich characters like Jaclyn and members of the Ratliff family, too.
In episode 4, Jaclyn spearheads her and her girls to leave the comforts of the White Lotus for a different type of experience. Her tendency to take bigger risks and urge to experience a novel experience takes them across town to a beach club (which probably won't end too well).
The Ratliff family also exhibits some traits that are tied to the ultra-wealthy.
Timothy is seen as a risk taker with his involvement with Kenneth (a former co-worker) and their money laundering scheme from years ago. Saxon is the most extroverted as he tries to pick up every girl at the White Lotus without success. Piper's open to new experiences and novelty as she explores Buddhism and what it has to offer.
Who wants to date a millionaire? If you do, you have to think about personality too. High-profile dating, like any type of dating, is a personality game, too. Personality matters, and to date, the rich successfully. It's about compatibility and accommodation.
Two German studies back up our understanding of the rich. They're more conscientious, open to experience, and extraverted than the average population. They're also less neurotic than the average person.
But, there are also some not-so-desirable traits. On average, the rich were less agreeable. This means a greater tendency to back away from confrontation or take no for an answer.
What does this mean for you?
You have to create a sense of compatibility and accommodate the personality type of the rich.
This doesn't mean you should be fake or inauthentic in your actions. Instead, it's about showing different parts of yourself. For example, you can work to become more confident or a better conversationalist. You can also pick up an exciting and interesting new hobby.
The point is, it's still you but a version that is perceived better.
When we think of The White Lotus, it's usually about the rich and their messy drama. Most people don't associate the show with healthy relationships or genuine love.
Like the others, this season gives viewers a look at the worst parts of rich dating. The happiest couple this season, Chelsea and Rich, are arguably the poorest in this whole season.
By knowing these trends, you can anticipate the potential pitfalls of rich dating. Then, you can navigate rich dating wisely and avoid these characters' downfalls.
Here are three of the biggest wealthy dating trends in The White Lotus season 3.
According to Psychology Today, being vulnerable creates emotional intimacy and connection. Unfortunately, for the rich, vulnerability isn't something that they show to most people.
Rich people tend to be confident, thorough, and diligent. For characters like Timothy Ratliff, it's also about being dependable for his family.
When Timothy's plot about money laundering is revealed, he cannot be vulnerable with his wife or children. Instead, he secretly resorts to lorazepam, which he steals from his wife. There's a lack of communication; eventually, we're sure this will spiral into something bigger.
So many people are obsessed with material wealth and status. The rich are no exception. There's no better example of this than this season's trio of best friends. Jaclyn, Lori, and Kate have spent nearly every episode comparing themselves to one another. Whenever two of them are alone, they never fail to bad-mouth the person who's not there.
Unfortunately, this focus on social class and comparison can also create discourse in a relationship. Wealthy partners might compare you to all their rich friends and mutual connections. They might compare your looks, career, financial status, and more.
This can quickly create a toxic relationship that hurts your self-worth and self-esteem.
With several rich and non-rich couples throughout the seasons, power dynamics are not new to The White Lotus. This season, we can look at couples like Greg and Chloe. There's not much revealed about the couple yet, but one thing's for sure: they don't seem to be happy at all.
She's consistently complaining to Chelsea about him. There's also this awkward tension when Chloe and Greg are seen together. Instead of love, there's a sort of power dynamic binding the two. Greg has the money, and Chloe seems to be (willingly) strung along despite a lack of chemistry.
Dating the rich in real life might come with this unusual power dynamic, too.
At this point, you might be second-guessing using a wealthy dating site. But here's the thing. The depictions of The White Lotus are just stereotypes. Like anyone, there are rich people out there who are compassionate, loving, and incredibly kind.
Your experience with high net worth dating depends on your ability to spot bad trends and the warning signs. Dating a rich man can be exciting, spontaneous, and filled with gifts if you find the right person.
Curious how to meet rich guys? Luckily, rich men are pretty easy to find. They tend to stick to the same high-class settings where they can enjoy luxury services. Here are just some examples:
And there's more too. Head over to our how to find rich guys blog for the rest of the list and our insight for each.
Want to explore high net worth dating at home? A dating site for rich people can also be a worthwhile option.
When luxury dating goes well, dating a wealthy man can be the best experience. This season of The White Lotus depicts the worst parts of luxury dating, but this can also be a learning lesson for us viewers.
You can avoid what went wrong in the show with these rich dating tips:
Confidence and good conversation skills make you stand out in rich dating. It's a way to show genuine interest while asserting an aura of confidence. Rich people are confident and will want to talk to someone who knows how to talk to women and men. Unlike the choppy and stiff conversations from this season, you'll want to carry on a conversation with flow and confidence.
Being financially and emotionally independent keeps the relationship balanced. Having your own goals and ambitions shows that you're with them for the right reasons. This makes the love more genuine and long-lasting.
High class dating doesn't always mean a great partner. Like with what we saw in The White Lotus this season, look out for arrogance, control issues, and a lack of respect. If something feels off, there's always someone else out there that will treat you right.
Even when someone's rich, this doesn't mean they always feel seen, valued and supported.
It's important to create a space where you're able to emotionally support your rich partner. Be that person when they need someone to talk to.
True relationships thrive on chemistry, trust, and mutual respect. Focus on the person, not just their lifestyle.
Most shows about rich people focus on the glitz and glam of the ultra-rich. The White Lotus? It's about the rich but also the messy and dark parts that aren't usually discussed.
The negative and the drama–that's exactly why people love The White Lotus. Seeing rich people who are so often above the law in these situations can be oddly satisfying for the viewer. It's a deep dive into the lives of the ultra-rich, with elements of dark humor and social commentary.
If that's something you like, here are other good shows for couples to watch together:
Want to explore rich people dating, but without the messy arrogance or power dynamics?
If so, you're in the right place. Nu-date is a more authentic way to explore high-income dating and love. We're a community that goes beyond money and social class.
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Maria Biz is an expert in the field of dating and relationships with 7 years of experience. Her mission is to help you build successful relationships and find true love.
