When you meet other moms and their kids, what signals upper class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you asking about upper class, or wealthy? Because these can be 2 different things.

Yes, I agree they are different. The question was about "signaling upper class". People can do this without being upperclassmen, if they know what those signals are. Similarly, some UC people may choose not to signal. The question was what are those signals?

Generally for women:
Manners
Weight/fitness
Travel
Education
Types of hobbies
Taste in clothes, food, decor, etc.

And about a thousand other little things.

I'm overweight, have great manners, terrible with clothes don't care about them, my house is nice, I have great jewelry. So many people assume the worst because I'm not thin and am not in to fashion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know many, many moms who come from UMC who aren't trim, put together, don't drive nice cars, etc. I find women who come from poorer backgrounds but have made it to the UMC are more apt to cling to outward virtue signaling.

As for kids, I have known some lower middle class kids who are well spoken, confident, insightful vs some UMC children who are bratty, entitled, etc.

The question isn't about UMC, it is in regards to UC. To which no, there are not many UC obese women in their 20s-40s.

I AM ONE. SUCK IT JEALOUS B_TCHES!

Your language just told us that your not. Thanks for playing.

NP but do you really think that just because someone is so-called "upper class", that they all look and speak the same way and they all buy the same things? I don't understand the people on this board who are obsessed with being "upper class" or wealthy. There is seriously something wrong with you. Be happy with what you have and stop putting people that are wealthier than you or you feel have some kind of status up on a pedestal. This is like the whole false idolatry thing. Stop worshiping something you know nothing about, ladies. It's pretty pathetic, to be honest.

The question is about culture, so yes generalizations can be made. Yes there will be exceptions.

To put into context - Generally speaking Americans speak a version of English, shop at similar sorts of stores. e.g., somewhere that sells Tide or Nike, and are distinguishable from most other nations. Generally speaking, Germans speak German, shop at similar stores, e.g., somewhere that sells Persil or Adidas, and are distinguishable from most other nations. We can do this forever, and subcultures within those cultures exist, including class cultures. Just because you don't like it doesn't make it less true.

Ooooh so only white people whose families have been here for generations can be American. I see.

[Anonymous]

This thread makes me feel sad for you little girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you asking about upper class, or wealthy? Because these can be 2 different things.

Yes, I agree they are different. The question was about "signaling upper class". People can do this without being upperclassmen, if they know what those signals are. Similarly, some UC people may choose not to signal. The question was what are those signals?

Generally for women:
Manners
Weight/fitness
Travel
Education
Types of hobbies
Taste in clothes, food, decor, etc.

And about a thousand other little things.

I'm overweight, have great manners, terrible with clothes don't care about them, my house is nice, I have great jewelry. So many people assume the worst because I'm not thin and am not in to fashion.

I feel most rich women are also fit and attractive. They have the money to take care of themselves.

Fat rich women are less the norm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know many, many moms who come from UMC who aren't trim, put together, don't drive nice cars, etc. I find women who come from poorer backgrounds but have made it to the UMC are more apt to cling to outward virtue signaling.

As for kids, I have known some lower middle class kids who are well spoken, confident, insightful vs some UMC children who are bratty, entitled, etc.

The question isn't about UMC, it is in regards to UC. To which no, there are not many UC obese women in their 20s-40s.

I AM ONE. SUCK IT JEALOUS B_TCHES!

Your language just told us that your not. Thanks for playing.

NP but do you really think that just because someone is so-called "upper class", that they all look and speak the same way and they all buy the same things? I don't understand the people on this board who are obsessed with being "upper class" or wealthy. There is seriously something wrong with you. Be happy with what you have and stop putting people that are wealthier than you or you feel have some kind of status up on a pedestal. This is like the whole false idolatry thing. Stop worshiping something you know nothing about, ladies. It's pretty pathetic, to be honest.

The question is about culture, so yes generalizations can be made. Yes there will be exceptions.

To put into context - Generally speaking Americans speak a version of English, shop at similar sorts of stores. e.g., somewhere that sells Tide or Nike, and are distinguishable from most other nations. Generally speaking, Germans speak German, shop at similar stores, e.g., somewhere that sells Persil or Adidas, and are distinguishable from most other nations. We can do this forever, and subcultures within those cultures exist, including class cultures. Just because you don't like it doesn't make it less true.

Ooooh so only white people whose families have been here for generations can be American. I see.

There are immigrants in every country and PP stated there will be exceptions. I can see you are exceptionally thick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thinking of a mom who is very well put-together, trim, and pretty. Her kids are well behaved, other than a short-lived pout, and the family lives in one of those nice custom homes spanning 5 or 6,000 square feet in a good school district. The kids are wearing nice clothes, brand name shoes and go to nice camps.

The family vacations in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and may travel back to their home country in August.

Is this spot on? If not, what signals wealth with families in the DMV?

This is MC.

Upper class is articulate, confident kids who can communicate with adults and children alike. All family members are trim and fit. Vacation at St Barts, Aspen, and Europe. Have at least one vacation home. Multiple kids in private school. Kind and not snobby. Live in 2500+ Sq ft house.... I say that because size doesn't matter as much as location and quality. House (no matter size) probably cost 1.5+.... I say this because some people just don't trade up as they age. They stay put, like Warren Buffet. Nice cars, may or may not be expensive, all in good condition.

It’s upper MC.

No it takes being in the top 2% in this city (or country) to sustain this. That is quantitative not qualitative. The only other way to define UC would be the way Europeans do, by royalty and titles. This is America, we define it by money. The top 2-5% are UC. Most have the above lifestyle. There will always be someone with more, but it doesn't mean you are UMC because you know someone with more.

+1

Top 5% income in US is 200,000. I don’t consider that upper class.

If you have top 5% wealth ($3M in assets) combined with HHI of top 5% (~300k in 2022), you are UC statically. What "you consider" is not an objective measure and therefore doesn't matter.

More assets and more HHI than that does not feel UC in the DC metro area whatsoever - why we plan to retire in a low COLA area because it is statistically better off than a significant portion of households in the country.

[Anonymous]

I know many Black, South Asian, East Asian, Jewish, Latino and other very wealthy, cultured people. Look at the current British PM and his wife. Stop equating WASP with UC. Also stop obsessing over whether you are UMC or UC. That shows no class. I am Indian American with many aunties who are fat, with frizzy hair, and tons of gold and diamonds. They are sitting on significant wealth. I went to a NE boarding school and know many wealthy people who don’t fit your imaginary profile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m thinking of a mom who is very well put-together, trim, and pretty. Her kids are well behaved, other than a short-lived pout, and the family lives in one of those nice custom homes spanning 5 or 6,000 square feet in a good school district. The kids are wearing nice clothes, brand name shoes and go to nice camps.

The family vacations in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and may travel back to their home country in August.

Is this spot on? If not, what signals wealth with families in the DMV?

Lol lol. The fact that this all impresses you shows how little you know. I am not upper class but upper middle class and whoever you described probably has less money than us. They should upper middle class but not at the top of the upper middle class. The dead giveaway here is the 5000 sq ft home and vacations at Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean. That’s not where the upper class vacations or even the top portion of the upper middle class. Also a 5000 sq ft home means nothing if you don’t tell us where it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thinking of a mom who is very well put-together, trim, and pretty. Her kids are well behaved, other than a short-lived pout, and the family lives in one of those nice custom homes spanning 5 or 6,000 square feet in a good school district. The kids are wearing nice clothes, brand name shoes and go to nice camps.

The family vacations in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and may travel back to their home country in August.

Is this spot on? If not, what signals wealth with families in the DMV?

Lol lol. The fact that this all impresses you shows how little you know. I am not upper class but upper middle class and whoever you described probably has less money than us. They should upper middle class but not at the top of the upper middle class. The dead giveaway here is the 5000 sq ft home and vacations at Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean. That’s not where the upper class vacations or even the top portion of the upper middle class. Also a 5000 sq ft home means nothing if you don’t tell us where it is.

Yeah really. Those are not where wealthy people vacay for the summer. My tacky aunts went to Mexico and Jamaica all the time. Wealthy people travel to another hemisphere. The richest girl I knew in HS went to places like Australia, Japan, and Sweden on her family vacations. She always sent lovely postcards and brought thoughtful souvenirs for her close friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thinking of a mom who is very well put-together, trim, and pretty. Her kids are well behaved, other than a short-lived pout, and the family lives in one of those nice custom homes spanning 5 or 6,000 square feet in a good school district. The kids are wearing nice clothes, brand name shoes and go to nice camps.

The family vacations in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and may travel back to their home country in August.

Is this spot on? If not, what signals wealth with families in the DMV?

Lol lol. The fact that this all impresses you shows how little you know. I am not upper class but upper middle class and whoever you described probably has less money than us. They should upper middle class but not at the top of the upper middle class. The dead giveaway here is the 5000 sq ft home and vacations at Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean. That’s not where the upper class vacations or even the top portion of the upper middle class. Also a 5000 sq ft home means nothing if you don’t tell us where it is.

Yeah really. Those are not where wealthy people vacay for the summer. My tacky aunts went to Mexico and Jamaica all the time. Wealthy people travel to another hemisphere. The richest girl I knew in HS went to places like Australia, Japan, and Sweden on her family vacations. She always sent lovely postcards and brought thoughtful souvenirs for her close friends.

We love Mexico and the Caribbean. Yes, there are cheap all inclusives. We love Rosewood Mayakoba and Nizuc. Also love Cayman and Turks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6000 sq foot tract house is gauche.

Calling people gauche makes you sound like a pretentious twat. Or a boomer. Six of one…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6000 sq foot tract house is gauche.

Calling people gauche makes you sound like a pretentious twat. Or a boomer. Six of one…

DP here. Our house is over 10,000sf. I love my home. We live in McLean and our neighborhood has lots of large houses. Lots of politicians, law firms partners, physicians, executives and professional athletes.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in New England around a ton of seriously wealthy people and I don’t even realize it until I was much older because of how low key old money is in that part of the world. Everyone basically seemed upper middle class in terms of cars and clothes. Looking back, the signs were: beautiful old houses and vacation spots, “in the family” for generations, minimally employed or artists (because of trust funds) and understated but expensive clothes from designers. Things a kid pretty much wouldn’t pick upon. Given that most of these families had really high levels of alcoholism and dysfunction under the surface, it wasn’t particularly enviable but again, just describing a particular regional culture, not saying it’s universal.

[Anonymous]

My great great grandfather was an Earl. I buy my clothes from Target and drive a Jeep. AMA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in New England around a ton of seriously wealthy people and I don’t even realize it until I was much older because of how low key old money is in that part of the world. Everyone basically seemed upper middle class in terms of cars and clothes. Looking back, the signs were: beautiful old houses and vacation spots, “in the family” for generations, minimally employed or artists (because of trust funds) and understated but expensive clothes from designers. Things a kid pretty much wouldn’t pick upon. Given that most of these families had really high levels of alcoholism and dysfunction under the surface, it wasn’t particularly enviable but again, just describing a particular regional culture, not saying it’s universal.

I grew up in NY and went to college and grad school in Boston. Now we live in DC. So many different kinds of wealth. NYC has more international wealth and it is very different than the American old money wealth. New money billionaire (or hundreds of millions) money is much more flashy. NYC has old money, new money, finance money, etc. I was surrounded by prep school kids in Boston. I don’t think I knew or cared who had money. I wasn’t rich so everyone was rich to me whether your dad was a real estate mogul or politicians.

We now have a seven figure income so probably considered rich. We meet lots of people with money. I find DC wannabe socialites the most annoying personally. They are not even that rich compared to the rich that we have met but they act so high and mighty.