Subtle signs of class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of the criteria listed by folks here seem so arbitrary.

It’s actually a whole code related to a mindset about preserving family inheritance and downplaying ostentation, so it’s a little more coherent than it looks on the surface.

There’s one poster who knows a fair amount but gets parts wrong (and won’t back down), and that adds a touch of arbitrariness. No, you don’t need to breed dogs and show them at Westminster, and in fact that’s actually a pretty middle class thing these days (watch Best in Show). Old money on the Upper East Side isn’t showing horses.

Daughters of billionaires seem to do this. I think there is a Gates daughter who does and a Dell daughter. Bloomberg's daughter as well.

As does/did Springsteen’s daughter.These are all new money, though, fwiw.

I know numerous UMC and even MC daughters in the DMV area who do this—DC’s classmates and friends’ kids.

The point is, show jumping/dressage is not a marker of old money, or “class” if you want, contrary to what’s been said here.

The

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:So what do ya’ll say about people who grew up MC/UMC but now make a lot of money and have amassed millions?

Because I would say we are still UMC even though we have a lot of money relative to the population (I don’t think it is easy to change your class just because you have a grad degree and a high HHI) but this always gets shouted down when the topic comes up on the money board.

Can you be middle class yet have a bank account with say, 5 million?

More importantly- how did you make this money? And can I (early 40s woman) get into this profession??

finance + selling stock in an IPO

"Upper Middle Class" isn't a thing. It's a story affluent working people tell to themselves and their children. Having $5m in the bank (particularly if you also own an expensive home, etc) means you're not any level of middle class. You may not feel that way because you're usually looking up and not down, and because your nest egg isn't so big that you can stop working (given current lifestyle) or guarantee the same level of success for your children, but it's true. Figure out how to describe yourself to yourself without leaning on the words "middle class" because doing so contributes to generations of little assholes who think they've bootstrapped themselves into life as a debt-free college grad because they were "upper middle class."

Also the classiest thing imo is a destitute but socially prominent long-term houseguest, preferably in an accessory building.

Holy crap, my in-laws have a destitute but socially prominent long-term houseguest. She helps care for their horses, she was a professional equestrian at one time on the national team.

The destitute, socially-prominent houseguest is a real thing???? I’ve never heard of that.

PP with the inlaws who have one...AMA. She is from a prominent family with money, hence being able to afford becoming a professional equestrian in her teens and twenties. But I think she doesn't have the best relationship with her own family, hence becoming destitute and moving in with my in laws.

That is kind of your inlaws. Are they UC people?

Eh, I mean, they fit a lot of the WASP stereotypes described here--they're of English stock, in the US for generations, show dogs and horses, have a vacation home on the water, but are frugal and drive older American cars and wear LL Bean and eat boring food.

Income-wise, they don't have tech or wall street type money. But they're comfortably retired and can afford travel/second home, their dogs and horses, etc.

Your in-laws fit my personal stereotype of old money/UC people. The old, modest cars and LL Bean clothes especially. Mayflower families.

They really like to drive Chevrolets, and drive them into the ground. They also have had a Subaru and liked it.

My parents said the worst procession of ancient cars they ever saw was at a Boston Brahmin wedding. My parents used to drive their cars into the ground, too. Fussel’s book points out that, when you have a great house full of antiques and lots of social standing, you don’t need to advertise your income with your car/suv.

[Anonymous]

LL Bean does make a great t shirt.

[Anonymous]

I’m stumped on the clothing UC young people/teens wear. I usually think kids dressed head to toe Ralph Lauren or Vineyard Vines are reflective of a UMC or aspirational MC parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m stumped on the clothing UC young people/teens wear. I usually think kids dressed head to toe Ralph Lauren or Vineyard Vines are reflective of a UMC or aspirational MC parent.

Aspirational MC.

The woman who wrote the Preppy Handbook has an updated version. Haven’t read it ;$

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The working class man, like the rich man, is sentimental and driven by comfort. He usually eats the same meals and has least adventurous palate of all the classes. The working class house is full of items of personal significance, such as family photos, and a quilt made by grandma. Decor also includes wallpaper borders, Americana themes, and signs with touching phrases like "bless this mess". Working class vacations usually involve staying with relatives or camping, and aspirational vacations are Disney or a cruise. Hawaii is working class Valhalla. Entertainment includes television, movies, sports bars, bowling, being a spectator at sporting events such as baseball or football, hosting potlucks, and hosting MLM parties. Education is regarded as career advancement; degree programs like nursing are considered superior to degrees like Economics, which are perceived as lacking job opportunities and practical application.

Paul Fussell?

He’s dead, but this does read like him.

So wait. Profiling PP was quoting Fussell all along?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think address is the most telling part of class. Old cars old clothes ah shucks attitude— it all ends with the address in the top zip codes of beaches, mountains, historic districts, and urban enclaves like McLean.

lmao WHAT!?!

I almost chocked when I read about McLean. I live in McLean, and there are a lot of rich and trashy people. Each house like a can of worms, you won't believe the stories that going on here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of the criteria listed by folks here seem so arbitrary.

It’s actually a whole code related to a mindset about preserving family inheritance and downplaying ostentation, so it’s a little more coherent than it looks on the surface.

There’s one poster who knows a fair amount but gets parts wrong (and won’t back down), and that adds a touch of arbitrariness. No, you don’t need to breed dogs and show them at Westminster, and in fact that’s actually a pretty middle class thing these days (watch Best in Show). Old money on the Upper East Side isn’t showing horses.

Daughters of billionaires seem to do this. I think there is a Gates daughter who does and a Dell daughter. Bloomberg's daughter as well.

As does/did Springsteen’s daughter.These are all new money, though, fwiw.

I know numerous UMC and even MC daughters in the DMV area who do this—DC’s classmates and friends’ kids.

The point is, show jumping/dressage is not a marker of old money, or “class” if you want, contrary to what’s been said here.

The

+1

I think there is a poster that Googles ideas of what she thinks is "classy" and posts them on these multiple, endless threads. She is full of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of the criteria listed by folks here seem so arbitrary.

It’s actually a whole code related to a mindset about preserving family inheritance and downplaying ostentation, so it’s a little more coherent than it looks on the surface.

There’s one poster who knows a fair amount but gets parts wrong (and won’t back down), and that adds a touch of arbitrariness. No, you don’t need to breed dogs and show them at Westminster, and in fact that’s actually a pretty middle class thing these days (watch Best in Show). Old money on the Upper East Side isn’t showing horses.

Daughters of billionaires seem to do this. I think there is a Gates daughter who does and a Dell daughter. Bloomberg's daughter as well.

As does/did Springsteen’s daughter.These are all new money, though, fwiw.

I know numerous UMC and even MC daughters in the DMV area who do this—DC’s classmates and friends’ kids.

The point is, show jumping/dressage is not a marker of old money, or “class” if you want, contrary to what’s been said here.

The

+1

I think there is a poster that Googles ideas of what she thinks is "classy" and posts them on these multiple, endless threads. She is full of it.

I think she’s plagiarizing Paul Fussell. Someone else pointed out that one of her write ups reads like his book.

[Anonymous]

Top indicator - grey poupon in the glovebox

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Top indicator - grey poupon in the glovebox

+1 and cat food in crystal goblets ONLY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top indicator - grey poupon in the glovebox

+1 and cat food in crystal goblets ONLY

Don’t forget an ancient and formidable granny in a black, Edwardian, high-necked gown (really hard to come by these days).

And bragging rights about never having been to Portugal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top indicator - grey poupon in the glovebox

+1 and cat food in crystal goblets ONLY

Because you cherish your cat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top indicator - grey poupon in the glovebox

+1 and cat food in crystal goblets ONLY

Because you cherish your cat.

And only served in/on a sit in window.

[Anonymous]

Ok, this thread is increasingly seeming destined to become a DCUM classic

We are debating whether UC WASPs go to Portugal and the class distinctions signaled by Pottery Barn vs. Stickley (as if this were a question).