Is “WASP” culture still a thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The waspiest people I know are catholic.

But that does not make sense.

You can’t be a WASP unless you are Protestant.

Well, the point is that they've taken on the characteristics. I think that was obvious. It's true, too.

Maybe this depends on geography. Around here, the Catholics I know are all the Real Housewives of New Jersey type. Driving their leased Escalade full of barely supervised kids to the Catholic School car line. Growing up (not here) I rarely even met a Catholic, and the Catholics schools were for the behavior issue kids. As in, "If I screw up one more time, my parents are sending me to St. Bridget's for high school!"

Openly discriminating against Catholics went out of style in the early 60s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WASP culture:

1. Country Clubs in most American cities
2. Balls that present daughters of the WASP families to society
3. Junior League
4. The Society page of most city newspapers that show photos of WASPs at their charity events but never actually working at any of the charities. They're board members or benefactors.
5. Art galleries and art auctions. Jewish families of means, however, really found a place in collecting art and supporting the arts.
6. Opera, symphony, ballet, conservatory, repertory theaters- usually WASPs

As a Catholic who supports labor unions, I don't know how some Americans seem to long for the days of royal monarchs like in the UK, and yet we fail to acknowledge the charitable giving of the very wealthy WASP leaders of our country's past. And the WASP "Men who built America" did at least concern themselves somewhat with public libraries and literacy and education.

This list made me laugh. I’m married to a WASP and visit my in-laws is like going into an alternate WASPy universe. They live in a wealthy suburb that has a large Jewish and decently large Black population, but they don’t have any close Jewish, Catholic, or Black friends. The country club that the family belongs to didn’t start admitting Catholics or Jewish people until the late 70s or 80s.

My nieces/nephews growing up there all attended/were presented at debutant balls, and DH’s family had links to all the non-Catholic private schools in the area, since their family has been attending the schools for the last 100+ years.

My FIL is active in several charities and spends a lot of time in his retirement fundraising for them and he is on the board of several cultureal institutions. Of course, DH can trace his family back to the Mayflower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The waspiest people I know are catholic.

But that does not make sense.

You can’t be a WASP unless you are Protestant.

Well, the point is that they've taken on the characteristics. I think that was obvious. It's true, too.

Maybe this depends on geography. Around here, the Catholics I know are all the Real Housewives of New Jersey type. Driving their leased Escalade full of barely supervised kids to the Catholic School car line. Growing up (not here) I rarely even met a Catholic, and the Catholics schools were for the behavior issue kids. As in, "If I screw up one more time, my parents are sending me to St. Bridget's for high school!"

Openly discriminating against Catholics went out of style in the early 60s

if you say so...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes WASP culture is still a thing. Only for the people that qualify though

Does Lena Dunham qualify because a Mindy Kaling fan seems to think so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in New England and this was a really big thing for my grandparents (and presumably their parents). They were not wasps. And boy did they feel it. One of the reasons I wanted to leave New England was to get away from this narrowness. Wasp culture is one variation of white privilege. Among many of us who arrived after the mayflower, other forms of this privilege exist. For example, while my grandfather felt discriminated against and remembered the "Irish need not apply" signs in Boston, it is crazy for me to feel any kind of ethnic discrimination at this point. I went to their schools and I work in a field they dominated for decades, if not centuries.

I'm glad this has changed. There are some things about "wasp culture" that are useful - like being frugal, not talking about money. Good manners. (But, remember -- They used a yardstick of who your family was and when they got here instead. So still pressure to measure up, show status.) Preppy style is cute and fun and adopted around the world from Japan to Italy. I have yet, though, to really see the utility of the mindset overall - it is fundamentally exclusive and limiting.

I do have one question - do they all still vote republican? Two summers ago, we were on nantucket and four young men wearing navy trump t-shirts paraded around. It was distressing to see how many old boys on the street (and in the restaurant where they ate) chatted them up and welcomed them with open arms.

All to say, I don't feel that my ancestors, who cleaned houses, cared for grounds, sorted the mail, and worked in mills had any less to do with building this country (and are any less distinguished) than the mythical WASP forebearers and "founding fathers" (another crazy term). There is great dignity in doing one's work, caring for one's family and making opportunity for others. And furthermore, the cotton that powered the mills in New England that the WASPs owned was picked by slaves in the South.

It is total insanity to glorify this culture.

Well, you know, the Boston Irish weren't exactly nice to the African Americans either. While the liberal WASPs were behind much of the New Deal and supporting the 1960s Civil Rights movement and integrating their private schools, the Boston Irish were rioting at busing AA students into their neighborhood schools.....

Just pointing this out to show the division of cultural groups into all good and all bad is pointless.

TIL, when my Slovak ancestors came to Binghamton NY (first railroad jobs, then cigarmaking and shoemaking), the Irish immigrants threw rocks at them. They recorded this in several community memoirs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The waspiest people I know are catholic.

But that does not make sense.

You can’t be a WASP unless you are Protestant.

Well, the point is that they've taken on the characteristics. I think that was obvious. It's true, too.

Maybe this depends on geography. Around here, the Catholics I know are all the Real Housewives of New Jersey type. Driving their leased Escalade full of barely supervised kids to the Catholic School car line. Growing up (not here) I rarely even met a Catholic, and the Catholics schools were for the behavior issue kids. As in, "If I screw up one more time, my parents are sending me to St. Bridget's for high school!"

I went to school with a lot of rich Catholics in the northeast, mostly from New York places like Westchester County or a town like Tuxedo Park. They had gone to prep school and were preppy and rich. They, or their parents, had taken on WASP culture, IMO. I guess the Kennedys are the model for this type of thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It exists in small pockets, mostly in New England but eminates out to some cities throughout the US where the NE WASPs have spread - obviously NYC, Philly, DC but also pockets in WASP-acceptable cities like SF.

Characteristics include private schools, country and yacht clubs, lots and lots of cocktail parties. Being social is very much part of WASP culture. Other markers include having a second home at a NE enclave, having a mean backhand, a good golf game, knowing your way around a boat and good skiing ability. Kids play lax and hockey (but this has spread to the Catholics and Jews so no longer exclusively WASP). Having a messed up kid or two, or at least one who works at a sailing shop rather than Wall St. is pretty par for the course.

And, of course, not being showy with one’s money is the number one characteristic.

This sounds like a huge portion of the posters on the private school and college boards. There seems to be a huge obsession about working on Wall Street there. Where I grew up, working on Wall Street wasn't something that anyone talked about or even probably gave any thought to I find it fascinating, that it seems to be an aspiration for many north eastern parents to want their kids to work on Wall Street.

I think just as today's CEOs make a larger multiple of average worker salaries, the financial rewards of working on Wall Street have increased a lot since the 1980s. There are other market phenomena that have supported an increase in Wall Street's prominence: banking law liberalization, the rise of personally managed retirement funds among the middle class, increase in the prestige of MBAs (now a striver's degree), improvement in Manhattan quality of life since the 1970s, etc. Getting to Wall Street is a more visible status competition pathway to being wealthy than other means. It is highly shaped by where you go to school. Therefore it's a more visible target that parents can help a kid aim for. Doesn't make it a noble goal, though. Just a feasible path to becoming wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see it at country clubs and church.

Nope. Ccs are heavily catholic in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The waspiest people I know are catholic.

But that does not make sense.

You can’t be a WASP unless you are Protestant.

Well, the point is that they've taken on the characteristics. I think that was obvious. It's true, too.

Maybe this depends on geography. Around here, the Catholics I know are all the Real Housewives of New Jersey type. Driving their leased Escalade full of barely supervised kids to the Catholic School car line. Growing up (not here) I rarely even met a Catholic, and the Catholics schools were for the behavior issue kids. As in, "If I screw up one more time, my parents are sending me to St. Bridget's for high school!"

I went to school with a lot of rich Catholics in the northeast, mostly from New York places like Westchester County or a town like Tuxedo Park. They had gone to prep school and were preppy and rich. They, or their parents, had taken on WASP culture, IMO. I guess the Kennedys are the model for this type of thing?

Yeah, they think they’ve been accepted but I’m a WASP and trust me, they’re as outside as ever. My old aunts would rather their granddaughters marry someone nonwhite than a Catholic. Not kidding. I don’t think that but I steer my kids clear of them - their kids tend to be obnoxious and the parents are noisy and drink too much. All the dads have mustaches for some reason. No thanks…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The waspiest people I know are catholic.

But that does not make sense.

You can’t be a WASP unless you are Protestant.

Well, the point is that they've taken on the characteristics. I think that was obvious. It's true, too.

Maybe this depends on geography. Around here, the Catholics I know are all the Real Housewives of New Jersey type. Driving their leased Escalade full of barely supervised kids to the Catholic School car line. Growing up (not here) I rarely even met a Catholic, and the Catholics schools were for the behavior issue kids. As in, "If I screw up one more time, my parents are sending me to St. Bridget's for high school!"

I went to school with a lot of rich Catholics in the northeast, mostly from New York places like Westchester County or a town like Tuxedo Park. They had gone to prep school and were preppy and rich. They, or their parents, had taken on WASP culture, IMO. I guess the Kennedys are the model for this type of thing?

Yeah, they think they’ve been accepted but I’m a WASP and trust me, they’re as outside as ever. My old aunts would rather their granddaughters marry someone nonwhite than a Catholic. Not kidding. I don’t think that but I steer my kids clear of them - their kids tend to be obnoxious and the parents are noisy and drink too much. All the dads have mustaches for some reason. No thanks…

I don't relate to the rest of your sentiment, but as a fellow WASP I agree with the bolded. My sibling did marry a Catholic and it was...a thing. Going through pre-CANA and marrying in a Catholic ceremony was entirely out of the question for my family. I think they would have happily participated in a Hindu or other ceremony, but Catholic with a priest was a total non-starter. Baptizing kids Catholic also a no-go. My family won't get over the systematic rape of kids, but everyone has their reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The waspiest people I know are catholic.

But that does not make sense.

You can’t be a WASP unless you are Protestant.

Well, the point is that they've taken on the characteristics. I think that was obvious. It's true, too.

Maybe this depends on geography. Around here, the Catholics I know are all the Real Housewives of New Jersey type. Driving their leased Escalade full of barely supervised kids to the Catholic School car line. Growing up (not here) I rarely even met a Catholic, and the Catholics schools were for the behavior issue kids. As in, "If I screw up one more time, my parents are sending me to St. Bridget's for high school!"

Openly discriminating against Catholics went out of style in the early 60s

It’s not “discriminating” to say a Catholic isn’t a WASP. Also, I disagree that they’ve “taken on the characteristics of WASPs.” The ones I know are quite showy which is antithetical to WASP behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The waspiest people I know are catholic.

But that does not make sense.

You can’t be a WASP unless you are Protestant.

Well, the point is that they've taken on the characteristics. I think that was obvious. It's true, too.

Maybe this depends on geography. Around here, the Catholics I know are all the Real Housewives of New Jersey type. Driving their leased Escalade full of barely supervised kids to the Catholic School car line. Growing up (not here) I rarely even met a Catholic, and the Catholics schools were for the behavior issue kids. As in, "If I screw up one more time, my parents are sending me to St. Bridget's for high school!"

Openly discriminating against Catholics went out of style in the early 60s

It’s not “discriminating” to say a Catholic isn’t a WASP. Also, I disagree that they’ve “taken on the characteristics of WASPs.” The ones I know are quite showy which is antithetical to WASP behavior.

Catholics don't care. WASPs are a dying breed that don't have nearly the relevance, power, or money they used to. So they cling to these outdated prejudices that just make them seem even more out of touch and mockable than ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The waspiest people I know are catholic.

But that does not make sense.

You can’t be a WASP unless you are Protestant.

Well, the point is that they've taken on the characteristics. I think that was obvious. It's true, too.

Maybe this depends on geography. Around here, the Catholics I know are all the Real Housewives of New Jersey type. Driving their leased Escalade full of barely supervised kids to the Catholic School car line. Growing up (not here) I rarely even met a Catholic, and the Catholics schools were for the behavior issue kids. As in, "If I screw up one more time, my parents are sending me to St. Bridget's for high school!"

I went to school with a lot of rich Catholics in the northeast, mostly from New York places like Westchester County or a town like Tuxedo Park. They had gone to prep school and were preppy and rich. They, or their parents, had taken on WASP culture, IMO. I guess the Kennedys are the model for this type of thing?

Yeah, they think they’ve been accepted but I’m a WASP and trust me, they’re as outside as ever. My old aunts would rather their granddaughters marry someone nonwhite than a Catholic. Not kidding. I don’t think that but I steer my kids clear of them - their kids tend to be obnoxious and the parents are noisy and drink too much. All the dads have mustaches for some reason. No thanks…

I don't relate to the rest of your sentiment, but as a fellow WASP I agree with the bolded. My sibling did marry a Catholic and it was...a thing. Going through pre-CANA and marrying in a Catholic ceremony was entirely out of the question for my family. I think they would have happily participated in a Hindu or other ceremony, but Catholic with a priest was a total non-starter. Baptizing kids Catholic also a no-go. My family won't get over the systematic rape of kids, but everyone has their reasons.

How about Jews?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The waspiest people I know are catholic.

But that does not make sense.

You can’t be a WASP unless you are Protestant.

Well, the point is that they've taken on the characteristics. I think that was obvious. It's true, too.

Maybe this depends on geography. Around here, the Catholics I know are all the Real Housewives of New Jersey type. Driving their leased Escalade full of barely supervised kids to the Catholic School car line. Growing up (not here) I rarely even met a Catholic, and the Catholics schools were for the behavior issue kids. As in, "If I screw up one more time, my parents are sending me to St. Bridget's for high school!"

Openly discriminating against Catholics went out of style in the early 60s

It’s not “discriminating” to say a Catholic isn’t a WASP. Also, I disagree that they’ve “taken on the characteristics of WASPs.” The ones I know are quite showy which is antithetical to WASP behavior.

Saying a catholic isn’t a wasp isn’t the part of the post that is discriminatory either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WASP culture:

1. Country Clubs in most American cities
2. Balls that present daughters of the WASP families to society
3. Junior League
4. The Society page of most city newspapers that show photos of WASPs at their charity events but never actually working at any of the charities. They're board members or benefactors.
5. Art galleries and art auctions. Jewish families of means, however, really found a place in collecting art and supporting the arts.
6. Opera, symphony, ballet, conservatory, repertory theaters- usually WASPs

As a Catholic who supports labor unions, I don't know how some Americans seem to long for the days of royal monarchs like in the UK, and yet we fail to acknowledge the charitable giving of the very wealthy WASP leaders of our country's past. And the WASP "Men who built America" did at least concern themselves somewhat with public libraries and literacy and education.

This list made me laugh. I’m married to a WASP and visit my in-laws is like going into an alternate WASPy universe. They live in a wealthy suburb that has a large Jewish and decently large Black population, but they don’t have any close Jewish, Catholic, or Black friends. The country club that the family belongs to didn’t start admitting Catholics or Jewish people until the late 70s or 80s.

My nieces/nephews growing up there all attended/were presented at debutant balls, and DH’s family had links to all the non-Catholic private schools in the area, since their family has been attending the schools for the last 100+ years.

My FIL is active in several charities and spends a lot of time in his retirement fundraising for them and he is on the board of several cultureal institutions. Of course, DH can trace his family back to the Mayflower.

I married into a Southern WASP family where country club culture was huge when my DH was growing up. When he told me that the one (incredibly wealthy) Jewish family on the block was not allowed to join the country club, it blew my mind. They were all very friendly otherwise. Attended each other’s parties, kids were friendly. But no country club for them.