My family is upper middle class, although my mom did struggle financially for a few years. I went to school in a poorer neighborhood, so I do have some friends with less money, I have some friends with parents who make about as much as mine, but I dont have any friends with really rich families, although I was sort of friends with one who went to vocational school with me.
It does help to understand just how much it sucks to have no money, so yes.
As a German the ICE is nothing special, at least when riding in 2nd class.
Sure, it's nicer than riding regional trains, but it's nothing very posh.