How rich people party

Oh sure, everyone knows that the rich live on a totally different plane of existence. But every now and then, it's just dandy to get a tangible, solid reminder of what life is like for those with far too much money on their hands. Witness the tale of "a Middle Eastern businessman" on a rampage: you could argue the guy might have been on an expense account, but really, I'm having a hard time imagining turning in these receipts.

The unnamed big spender entered Crystal [a London club] at midnight on Saturday with friends -- nine women and eight men -- and ordered a $50 (24 pound) bottle of white wine, a spokesman for the club said.

But before long he was ordering magnums of Dom Perignon at $1,400 each and then called for a Methuselah -- eight bottles in one -- of Cristal Champagne at $60,000 and the party spread.

The festivities ended with a "night cap" consisting of a Methuselah of Belvedere vodka, which cost $2,800. "He basically just said, 'keep the drinks flowing,'" the club spokesman said.

When the party left at 5 a.m., the bill was 81,471.50 pounds, which with tax and service added amounted to 105,805.28 pounds [$213,800]. It included the cost of six Coca-Colas.