Washington Area Class System

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my 'ding, ding, ding...this person has no class' is when somebody is rude or berates a waitstaff/waiter/waitress! I can't believe how many people treat them like servants or peasants.
That is the epitomy of showing how little class you have...and the funny thing is what may be happening to your drink or meal back in the kitchen.

YES!! I'm the PP who said money can't buy class. I was also a waitress while in undergrad to help pay the bills and I'm proud to say that I never did anything to anyone's food or drink, but I definitely saw it happen.

My toddlers know to treat everyone with respect and say please and thank you and yet so many adults find it beneath them to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Personally I think physical appearance has a lot to do with it. People shop at Chico's, drive a Prius. show bra straps, whose children have scraggly hair, wear bikinis, onesies to school, etc are all "low class" in my book.

is this a joke? you can't be a real person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To 10:15 - my mother was 27 when I was born (I'm the oldest child). I was 34 when I had my first child.

To me, the reason for this general age shift is obvious and is indirectly related to class. How many women of any class in the '50s and '60s had the opportunity to go to grad school or even leave the place they were born? People are more geographically mobile and much better educated today.

My mom was considered a rebel for not marrying until she was 24! I didn't even meet my DH until I was 27. Had absolutely no interest in marriage or a long term relationship until I was done with grad school and had some work years under my belt. Totally different generational construct.

Funny. This post has made me consider how I define class. Reading this particular post (above) I realized I largely equate "class" with education, more than any other single aspect, and this is probably why: my grandmother's father insisted that she graduate from college and work for a year (albeit while living at home) before she was allowed to marry my grandfather. She always said how glad she was that he did. My grandfather was 4 years older and already had his BA from Yale and was working on a graduate degree. My mother married at 28, after getting her BA from an Ivy League and MA from Stanford. My Dad had his PhD by then. His parents both had college degrees as well. In fact, 2 sets of my 4 sets of great-grandparents had college degrees, including JDs and MDs. I guess growing up my family always emphasized education as accomplishment and related to class. I think the most disparaging thing I ever heard my mom say about anyone was "he/she doesn't have a college degree" but it was the way she said it so that I new that was an "unfortunate" thing. Needless to say, my brother and I have 5 degrees between us, my first cousins all have at elast a BA and most have more. Its pretty much a thing in my family. The second most important thing is my family was having good manners, even the basics of saying thank you and please and being gracious to anyone who was performing a service (such as wait staff or a house cleaner). My mother and father were unfailingly polite to people in "service-oriented" jobs but I didnt really realize it until I went out with someone who was not. Its funny the unwritten/unsaid things that impress upon us ideas of class as children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Personally I think physical appearance has a lot to do with it. People shop at Chico's, drive a Prius. show bra straps, whose children have scraggly hair, wear bikinis, onesies to school, etc are all "low class" in my book.

is this a joke? you can't be a real person.

Not the poster but of course it is a joke. Apparently you haven't read some of the other other popular threads recently (the bling one comes to mind). Most of the first 2 pages of this thread were a joke.

[Anonymous]

My favorite definition of classy - someone who always says something kind, makes others feel comfortable and at home in any situation, keeps their own life running smoothly and doesn't impose on others, listens without judging and is generous with their time and/or money, but never makes an issue of what they have or have not versus others. Typically, people who have their stuff together are also well-groomed, so it kind of goes with the territory, but it is the behavior that clinches it. Being a LADY in every sense of the word. THAT is classy. Those who are the opposite - low class.

[Anonymous]

It has very little to do with appearance and very much to do with how people treat others.

Judging others on their appearance = shallow= couldn't buy class if they wanted to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To 18:01 - I didn't see anything about the schools in PG county. That's the number one reason many educated professionals wouldn't consider living there. That, and the gangs.

My children go to a great Elementary school, the middle school is being overhauled, and the high school is great. There are many (and I mean many) well educated professionals in my city and in my neighborhood. That is if you think NASA Scientists, mathematicians, Lawyers, Doctors, Veterinarians, Rabbis, and college professors to be well educated.

[Anonymous]

So what are you supposed to bring to a dinner party instead of wine?

Clearly I should be reading this board more, this is fantastic stuff!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous [b wrote:My brother had a very powerful--high network producing job and about 10 years ago dropped it all...moved out of Manhattan and took up teaching, coaching disadvantaged kids. [/b]

Is he single and available?

Ha! The answer is 'yes' BUT as much as i love him...he's not the marrying kind...still a bachelor at 42. I do notice a lot of mellowing recently--maybe one day he'll be ready.

Not the PP who you're responding to, but I'm 43, and I can wait. Would prefer to wait, actually . . .

[Anonymous]

"Low class" to me is behavior driven. Doesn't have anything to do with education, money, career, where you live - but how you behave and treat others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what are you supposed to bring to a dinner party instead of wine?

Clearly I should be reading this board more, this is fantastic stuff!

Its actually better to write a note afterward and send flowers (afterward). I you must bring something it should not be related to the evening - something special the hostess might enjoy later like a box of special cookies or a scented candle for her bedroom.

[Anonymous]

We've dropped friends who have commented negatively ("meanly") on mutual friends' children. "Because you know you are next!"

Definition of classless. There is just too much of that here. Could also suggest insecurity on their part, but definitely suggests classless.

"Children, for crying out loud!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what are you supposed to bring to a dinner party instead of wine?

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30866.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: or a scented candle for her bedroom.

Wouldn't that be an insult to the air quality in her bedroom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ashburn- ghetto
having a baby before you are 30- uneducated trailer trash

Bringing wine to a dinner party is insulting to your host's wine cellar...learn something new every day huh?

and if you host does not have a wine cellar?

LOL. None of my friends have wine cellars