>Hot baths without running water were available to ordinary people. Everyone once in a while, yes, but not for everyday people.[1] >"lifestyle." You're right

>Hot baths without running water were available to ordinary people. Everyone once in a while, yes, but not for everyday people.[1] >"lifestyle." You're right, it does depend on the definition of lifestyle. Some people consider travel to be central to a fancy lifestyle, and that would be hard in the past. >no labor obligations Most people on HN likely have no physical labor obligations from employment. We have cushy programming jobs, and many can afford to eat out/order delivery every day and hire a cleaning and laundry service. I can get anywhere nearby in a fast and comfy car, not having to deal with a slow, bumpy, drafty, horse-smelling carriage. I don't even have to walk up stairs, I can take an elevator. The king has the responsibility of running a kingdom. That sounds pretty stressful to me, much more so that my programming job. [1] https://www.quora.com/How-often-did-people-in-the-Middle-Ages-bathe https://www.quora.com/How-often-did-people-in-the-Middle-Age...