Over-complicates the question. "Rich" is a loaded term people mostly use to define other people. Carries a hint of envy and a negative slant. Sure, certain wealthy people might occasionally refer to themselves as "rich". They're either (a) insufferable dicks rubbing their wealth in the nose of others, or (b) slightly less insufferable dicks, taking into account a whole slew of criteria beyond mere wealth - the depth of which outsiders could never know or consider. So, the answer to the question: What are my criteria for calling someone "rich"? -- I wouldn't. Ask the same question and swap-in the word "wealthy," and the answer is somewhere in a few of the posts above.
Jeto just posted this the other day, think it was Applebee's Edit: Just followed your link and I see I have the wrong guy
The entire debt based credit system is discriminatory toward people with less, and beneficial to people with more. The more access to credit you have, the more you are able to use that credit to buy hard assets. Those hard assets go up in value as credit/debt/money expands. When those hard assets go up in value, it gives you access to more credit to buy more hard assets. Repeat over and over. Being rich nowadays is being able to access more credit than most people have access too.
Before I post my actual opinion on the question, I just want to say this first. "Rich", nothing turns me off more than people behaving and thinking that they're more important than others because of money. Next to #1 cowardice and #2 nosiness it's my #3 most hated human quality. Here's what I love about this attitude: "You're just jealous." Trust me, I'm not jealous at all asshole.
I hear you Jeto. Your post and @Sundayjack ’s post made me think. In Turkish there is a good word to define people with money and a bad word. In English not sure if there is an alternate word I can use to define people with financial means to live an easy and good life with their money.
'Midnight Express' anyone? The Turkish government got so pissed about this movie that they cut off U.S. tourism for a while and Brad Davis apologized. Still a great flick. RIP Brad Davis and John Hurt.