Things that are unintentional status symbols.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
+1. Yup. This is a New England thing, though, I think. I'm from CT so I get this (though, sadly, I'm not one of the lucky ones). But yeah, we have friends with old family homes on the Vineyard and random little islands in Maine. They wear LL Bean fleeces all summer at said cottages (which are always extremely low-key, weathered, and rustic but at the same time perfectly tasteful and of obvious quality that has aged well). Old Volvos and Saabs and, back in the day, Jeep Wagoneers (remember those? LOVE). Very little jewelry or makeup, but they're always in shape so they can pull of the sporty look well. They ski, they sail, they know art, and they have interesting names for their grandparents. Point being, they don't have to broadcast their money with more high-end fleeces or white elephant summer homes. The low-key approach broadcasts their privilege and family background much more effectively to those who understand the code. I actually find it more refreshing than the flashiness around DC.

YES!!!!!!! Nailed it.

+1. I am from CT and this isn't my family but describes it to a tee. No flashy brands, cars, whatever. That would be considered totally gauche. Old LL bean anything, beat up Volvo or Saab. Weathered polos, etc.

Describing every other tool I would see in New England lining up for the ferry. Weathered polos, khaki ball cap from The Black Dog Tavern, carrying the "weekend duffle bag." Wives with sweaters tied around their necks just because and sporting perfectly broken-in boat shoes. UGH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's weird to me how New Englanders think looking plain is virtuous or indicative of status. What's wrong with looking nice?

Nothing per se. It's when you go too far in the other direction that you start to look ridiculous. Example: any member of the Real Housewives cast -- logo everything, too much jewelry, fake hair.

Being on the plain side indicates that you're not trying too hard and don't have anything to prove. It's also why celebrities will go to dinner in shitty jeans and Havaianas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's weird to me how New Englanders think looking plain is virtuous or indicative of status. What's wrong with looking nice?

Nothing per se. It's when you go too far in the other direction that you start to look ridiculous. Example: any member of the Real Housewives cast -- logo everything, too much jewelry, fake hair.

Being on the plain side indicates that you're not trying too hard and don't have anything to prove. It's also why celebrities will go to dinner in shitty jeans and Havaianas.

I would think that's more because they're tired of hours of hair and makeup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the no-makeup thing. I think that the more wealthy you are, the more money you have to spend on chemical peels and facials. Therefore, your skin will be more even and will not require much makeup. I only wear makeup because my skin tone is uneven. If I had money and could afford regular treatments, I would definitely go without makeup.

I think it's also a regional thing. I grew up in the south and most women, regardless of social status or wealth, would not be caught dead outside the house without tasteful makeup. I attended an Ivy and my first roommate, from New England, was shocked that I put on (minimal) makeup to go to class. I was shocked that she didn't do anything for her appearance!

What does attending an Ivy have to do with that story?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to the no-makeup thing. I think that the more wealthy you are, the more money you have to spend on chemical peels and facials. Therefore, your skin will be more even and will not require much makeup. I only wear makeup because my skin tone is uneven. If I had money and could afford regular treatments, I would definitely go without makeup.

I think it's also a regional thing. I grew up in the south and most women, regardless of social status or wealth, would not be caught dead outside the house without tasteful makeup. I attended an Ivy and my first roommate, from New England, was shocked that I put on (minimal) makeup to go to class. I was shocked that she didn't do anything for her appearance!

What does attending an Ivy have to do with that story?

Intentional, tell-everyone-you-can-as-frequently-as-possible status symbol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has had the same family housekeeper for several decades-overpays her to not clean very well.

Ha! So true!

Perhaps it is because they take seriously their responsibility as an employer to her -- all too rare today, in our hire-and-fire, even-my-nanny-is-an-independent-contractor cutlure.

Ohmigod-that's me 10 years running and I have to clean after she leaves sometimes--but she is like family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's weird to me how New Englanders think looking plain is virtuous or indicative of status. What's wrong with looking nice?

I think it's just a WASPy New England cultural thing. Flashiness is considered tacky. And I wouldn't say old-money WASPs don't look nice - they just look casual and sporty. Obviously this is a generalization, and there are plenty who ARE flashy, or not sporty-looking, but it's still largely true in my experience. They still pay attention to things like nice highlights, Turnbull suits, etc. But for everyday, yeah, plain and sporty is just the style.

[Anonymous]

Tip well.

I was at Massage Envy yesterday and my masseuse and I were talking about over-entitled in the area. She was dating how some will come in for 90-2 hour deep tissue massage and leave $10 tip. The expensive brand whores are the worst she said.

I think she thinks I'm poor because I walk over in my gap jeans and new balance, no make-up but I tip 20- 25%.

I treat all service industry--with mucho respect.

It's classless to think you are better than them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tip well.

I was at Massage Envy yesterday and my masseuse and I were talking about over-entitled in the area. She was dating how some will come in for 90-2 hour deep tissue massage and leave $10 tip. The expensive brand whores are the worst she said.

I think she thinks I'm poor because I walk over in my gap jeans and new balance, no make-up but I tip 20- 25%.

I treat all service industry--with mucho respect.

It's classless to think you are better than them.

This is true. In the beauty forums a couple months ago someone was complaining about how it's expected to tip your hair stylist 20%. I said if you can't afford the extra 20% tip, you can't afford the stylist. Same with eating out. If the tip just puts you over the edge, don't bother going for the meal at all. I'm by no means wealthy (not poor either, solid middle class) and I tip well always. That's just good manners.

[Anonymous]

Family from Connecticut--parents did all the prep schools, etc. grew up in this area.

You can just feel, see and smell the $. Whenever I am in Greenwich or other areas I get that feeling and I'm eve good at reading it. It's super understated, but you can just tell.

The flashy Potomac/DC/Loudon/McLean brand whores don't have it. It always looks like they are trying way too hard. We have couple friends like this that are mortgaged out the wazoo, lease their expensive cars and have massive credit card debt-but put on quite a show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stupidly expensive strollers. Bonus of you have more than one for whatever scenario you and Larliandra may find yourselves in.

No, they're just stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tip well.

I was at Massage Envy yesterday and my masseuse and I were talking about over-entitled in the area. She was dating how some will come in for 90-2 hour deep tissue massage and leave $10 tip. The expensive brand whores are the worst she said.

I think she thinks I'm poor because I walk over in my gap jeans and new balance, no make-up but I tip 20- 25%.

I treat all service industry--with mucho respect.

It's classless to think you are better than them.

This is true. In the beauty forums a couple months ago someone was complaining about how it's expected to tip your hair stylist 20%. I said if you can't afford the extra 20% tip, you can't afford the stylist. Same with eating out. If the tip just puts you over the edge, don't bother going for the meal at all. I'm by no means wealthy (not poor either, solid middle class) and I tip well always. That's just good manners.

+100

I was appalled at those bitches on the massage tipping thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Prius
smaller house/short commute
cloth diapers/breast feeding to over one year
beach vacation on Outer Banks
Children attending UVA/W&M or UMCP -In State
Attending certain Congregations
Summer pool memberships in NOVA with children on summer swim team and in year round swim programs
using the library for most of your children books under age 8
half day preschool
AAP
A child that goes to John's Hopkins for CTY

This is my family. And we have $4 million, unlike our neighbors in the $1.5 million house who vacation in Tuscany. Ha ha.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tip well.

I was at Massage Envy yesterday and my masseuse and I were talking about over-entitled in the area. She was dating how some will come in for 90-2 hour deep tissue massage and leave $10 tip. The expensive brand whores are the worst she said.

I think she thinks I'm poor because I walk over in my gap jeans and new balance, no make-up but I tip 20- 25%.

I treat all service industry--with mucho respect.

It's classless to think you are better than them.

This is true. In the beauty forums a couple months ago someone was complaining about how it's expected to tip your hair stylist 20%. I said if you can't afford the extra 20% tip, you can't afford the stylist. Same with eating out. If the tip just puts you over the edge, don't bother going for the meal at all. I'm by no means wealthy (not poor either, solid middle class) and I tip well always. That's just good manners.

+100

I was appalled at those bitches on the massage tipping thread.

If they've never had to work for tips, they have no idea what it's like to serve people.

[Anonymous]

I've got a good one. My DC was asked to bring a shoe box to school for an art project. When I dropped of my Sketchers shoe box I say that there was a Jimmy Choo box and a Louboutin.