People who think they're rich but aren't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10:55 this happens to me too when I go to DH hometown, it's a rare occasion. I once recall someone there asking me if my engagement ring was glass bc it was so large in their opinion. Was dying inside. Same conversation I was asked if my parents went to college....yikes

10:55 poster here: Yep! Same things! Very, very similar. What can ya do? Not much. I just have a lot of imaginary conversations inside my head with these folks as I try to go to sleep while we are there. LOL.

[Anonymous]

I think you are just bitter. I say this as someone who's probably bitter too! By this I mean that we all live in this very expensive area. We pay a premium for relatively small housing (what does $1mm buy you in DC compared to other parts of the country?). We pay a premium for every activity, restaurant, sporting event, etc. Many of us have high HHI relative to the rest of the country, but what does it really buy us? Not as much as we would hope, right?
What the OP was describing (albeit with some tacky references to clothing, attitude, etc. thrown in), was a group of people who could live well in their area and have the physical things they want: the psychological security of their status, financial position, etc. along with, probably, a more family-friendly lifestyle than most of us DCUMers enjoy.

[Anonymous]

How is this thread any different than what these women supposedly did?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know what you mean, OP. I have in-laws who live in a city which is much lessexpensive than DC, and, while they themselves are not like this, a lot of people in their social circle are. It's kind of like they all think they're so fabulous and they're very smug and self-satisfied. But their houses cost $100K. I sometimes don't know whether to laugh at them or cry, or a strange combination of both. Sometimes I feel like I want to pop 1-2 houses in a grocery cart and say, "We'll take two, thanks!" It's very weird and mind-warping when we visit there, actually!

(OP) Yes, that's what I mean. And then there's the pity comments of "oh, you poor thing. you live in DC???" Mind you, none of them have ever been here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know what you mean, OP. I have in-laws who live in a city which is much lessexpensive than DC, and, while they themselves are not like this, a lot of people in their social circle are. It's kind of like they all think they're so fabulous and they're very smug and self-satisfied. But their houses cost $100K. I sometimes don't know whether to laugh at them or cry, or a strange combination of both. Sometimes I feel like I want to pop 1-2 houses in a grocery cart and say, "We'll take two, thanks!" It's very weird and mind-warping when we visit there, actually!

(OP) Yes, that's what I mean. And then there's the pity comments of "oh, you poor thing. you live in DC???" Mind you, none of them have ever been here.

Yes, yes yes. I think our relatives and/or friends must live in the same part of the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is this thread any different than what these women supposedly did?

Maybe not, but it makes us feel better!

B/c we cannot say these things to them so we are venting here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I endured an afternoon with a few moms where one mom kept going on and on about how lucky and priviledged she was. I couldn't help but think how delusional they were. What's bothering me, though, is why does their delusion bug me so much? I shouldn't care, right? Would people like this bother you?

They're being snobs because they think they're so much better than the people around them. Being grateful is awesome, humble bragging about stuff is snotty. It's probably hitting your snob buttons because you have a different perspective on what it takes to be rich. (By any chance are you more educated or wealthier or more sophisticated than they are? Do they fail to recognize how much better you are than them?) This happens to me sometimes. It's worth an eyeroll and a laugh, both at them and myself. People are funny and we get all bent out of shape about stuff.

OP again. I don't think I'm better than them, or anyone for that matter. I like to think that I'm pretty down to earth. I purposely didn't tell them anything about myself and let them run amok with their strange assumptions because I think it would have made the situation even more uncomfortable and awkward for me. What I don't understand is, if they watch television or go online, they have to know that they aren't at the top of any heap, so why the snob attitude? They don't live in the toniest part of town or their city. Maybe they don't live outside of their own little world?

I agree with everyone that this shouldn't bother me. No skin off my nose. Maybe it's like if you meet a woman who thinks all men are flirting with her because she's sooo pretty, but she really isn't and no one's interested. It's the self delusion part that irks me.

[Anonymous]

Tell them their not rich, then tell them there's no Easter Bunny. May as well tell them about the tooth fairy too....

Why can't you let these women enjoy their little delusions?

[Anonymous]

ehhh, since it's an anonymous forum, I can admit I do think I am better than them. I don't care if people think I have issues, sure I def do, I admit that too. I have friends and they are all like me.

To each his own.

[Anonymous]

The level of snobbery on the thread is unbelievable and you have the audacity to criticize someone else for snobbery. Yikes. Have you listened to yourselves?

[Anonymous]

I'm from Texas, home to what we call the $200,000 millionaire. In other words, someone who makes $200K/year yet has the lifestyle of someone who makes 5 times that. Someone who will have a mortgage on a $300,000 house and yet have over $100,000 worth of cars in their garage, etc. There is a lot of keeping up with the Joneses everywhere. However, in the South it's definitely more material and in your face. Up here, it's subtle- which schools your kids attend, which country club you belong to, etc. You can drive around a neighborhood of $1M+ houses in a lot of places in the DMV and see minivans, Volvos and Highlanders in the driveways. You'd never see that in the South.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The level of snobbery on the thread is unbelievable and you have the audacity to criticize someone else for snobbery. Yikes. Have you listened to yourselves?

Which parts do you think are snobbish?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm from Texas, home to what we call the $200,000 millionaire. In other words, someone who makes $200K/year yet has the lifestyle of someone who makes 5 times that. Someone who will have a mortgage on a $300,000 house and yet have over $100,000 worth of cars in their garage, etc. There is a lot of keeping up with the Joneses everywhere. However, in the South it's definitely more material and in your face. Up here, it's subtle- which schools your kids attend, which country club you belong to, etc. You can drive around a neighborhood of $1M+ houses in a lot of places in the DMV and see minivans, Volvos and Highlanders in the driveways. You'd never see that in the South.

I love that line. Definitely a keeper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem with these women is looking down on others. That's not okay if you are rich. Not actually being rich doesn't matter.

Agree with this. These women are obnoxious and tacky regardless of income. That's what should be bothersome.

Sad how many people (of various income levels) are so shallow and insecure.

[Anonymous]

11:28 poster I believe is a direct comment after my 11:27 post. I frankly don't if you find me snobby. I like my life and I see no chance of changing any time soon