I'm a consultant psychiatrist - here's why rich CEOs keep coming unstuck

It was the worst moment for a millionaire company boss since kiss-cam footage captured Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his chief people officer Kristin Cabot in an awkward embrace at a massive Coldplay concert. Neither, needless to say, are now in post. This time a wealthy company chief executive was caught on video at the US Open snatching a cap signed by a tennis player from the hands of a young fan - sparking another global viral moment and widespread and vitriolic condemnation.

Victorious Polish player Kamil Majchrzak was signing tennis balls and other memorabilia when he offered his cap to a young fan but, as he attempted to gift it, businessman Piotr Szczerek, 50, snatched it from the boy. He then quickly turned away from the protesting child and secreted it in a bag leaving the tennis player oblivious to his actions.

The businessman then turned back to the inconsolable boy to return his pen, proving he definitely knew what he'd done and putting paid to one, pitiful defence he later offered - along the lines that it was an honest mistake! No wonder the super-rich CEO has gone viral - reviled as the 'most hated man in America'. But why would a man living in a gated community of millionaires care about a humble cap?

Firstly I'd point to the entitlement of the super-rich. They're used to paying for the best - and getting it, even when they don't necessarily deserve it. Take the unfortunate reality that major sporting events like the US Open have now become so expensive that many ordinary fans have been priced out as corporate hospitality has moved in.

Often these people have paid so much for their seats they believe, unconsciously, that they are automatically entitled to any 'extras' that unexpectedly come their way. "I paid more to be here so anything offered to you, who really belongs in the cheap seats, you are just moonlighting when you come down to the front, so this is really mine," may well be the reasoning here.

And we see this entitlement to grab low-hanging fruit everywhere. Angela Rayner, take note.

Like courtside seats, a signed hat represents something psychologically important - a bragging opportunity to Szczerek's friends that he was right at the front and could engage with the players as they came off the court. The autographed hat therefore sends a message - it proves his company makes money and he is a financial success.

Another disturbing feature is the fact that the young fan was clearly protesting loudly, while vainly reaching for his hat as it was spirited away. For any adult to be so impervious to a distressed child raises questions.

The sense of entitlement was underlined by Szczerek's initial response to the growing condemnation: including the comments: "But as I have always said, life is first come first served'. Adding: "If you were faster, you would have it." To add insult to injury, he even threatened legal action against people criticising him.

No wonder many people have such low opinions of the wealthy these days. "It's just a hat," he might have protested. But if it was indeed 'just a hat', why was he so keen to grab it?

Dr Raj Persaud is a Harley Street consultant psychiatrist and author of The Mental Vaccine for Covid-19, published by Amberley