That's a pretty broad brush you're painting with; at what point can someone have "nice" gear?
I couldn't care less how well someone plays, if they're into gear and dig talking about it, that's good enough for me. If someone doesn't think I'm good enough for the gear I have, fuck 'em in the neck.
Listen to enough people play, and you'll come to the realization that you suck, too.
I know I have, but I learned to live with that a LONG time ago