Things that are unintentional status symbols.

[Anonymous]

horses

[Anonymous]

Henri Lloyd sailing jacket

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since moving to DC, I've learned that having a short commute - i.e. Living in a SFH and walking to a metro in NW DC, NoVa or parts of MD is some sort of a status symbol because coworkers look at me like I have 2 heads when I explain where we live. These people make way more money that we do, but choose to have a 1hr commute in their $50k+ cars.

I think their flashy cars are intentional status symbols. Apparently choosing to pay a fortune to live in a tiny house is an intentional status symbol to them. We just thought it was a lifestyle choice and that having a tear down / new build was the intentional status symbol.

I think I get it-

intentional status symbols- stuff other people have or do

unintentional status symbols-stuff you do or have

I think plenty of people here have suggested items they don't own or things they don't do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Driving to a store that's less than a mile away.

Paying anything for kindergarten.

Taking medication that makes your eyelashes thicker or injecting toxins to make your forehead smooth.

Waxing parts of your body that no one but your waxer will ever actually look at.

To urban dwellers that is déclassé. You walk or roll with your granny basket festooned with cloth bags. Driving is for the lazy and the poors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never thanking the waitstaff at a restaurant.

I only see this with the nouveau riche who are trying to prove that they've made it and are superior to little folk. Well-bred people are much more civil and polite.

Correct - All staff are treated with the utmost civility and politeness. Also - if you are sincere, it just means you are nice.

I never understood the "rude to waitstaff" people and avoid them at all costs. I mean, do manners have to be "fashionable", or are you really such a frustrated arsehole (that you have to be rude to waitstaff)? It doesn't say much about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Driving to a store that's less than a mile away.

Paying anything for kindergarten.

Taking medication that makes your eyelashes thicker or injecting toxins to make your forehead smooth.

Waxing parts of your body that no one but your waxer will ever actually look at.

To urban dwellers that is déclassé. You walk or roll with your granny basket festooned with cloth bags. Driving is for the lazy and the poors.

Yes, I am sure all those hedge fund managers and socialites just love walking around with an ugly grocery cart.

What you describe is for the urban hipster/wanna-be yuppie, not the truly wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Work for both spouses is vague and part-time (i.e., optional, often "consulting" or "writing")

[Anonymous]

Jotting quick notes to the teacher on properly monogrammed stationery.

RSVP'ing to a wedding on same rather than sending back the little "check fish or chicken" cards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jotting quick notes to the teacher on properly monogrammed stationery.

RSVP'ing to a wedding on same rather than sending back the little "check fish or chicken" cards.

HA! I do this. Only because I hate those reply cards

[Anonymous]

Mom is SAHM and her husband "works from home" in his home office

[Anonymous]

Going without socks and or wearing shorts when the temps are below 45ºF. Shows that you are comfortable with extreme cold or wind commonly encountered while sailing, sculling or rock climbing and that you eschew excessive personal comfort unlike the grotesque nouveau riche.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carpool lane numbers in the front of cars.

good one!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Being late to lunch because the board meeting ran late, the one you serve on for your grandfathers foundation.

Being late is just bad manners--everyone will assume you are a complete ass if you offer such a pompous excuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hiring Doody Calls to clean the dog poop in the yard.

Dear Gawd I hope to get to that level someday.

It's ridiculously inexpensive.

Or, uh, so I've heard...

[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 (pp here who was the cape cod vacationer). Totally agree.

It's not just New England. I'm from Maryland. Old money just doesn't like to be flashy. It's tacky.