Mrs Simpson's "Application" - Is this Woman for Real?

[Anonymous]

Doll, that's why you're taking it way too seriously: no, no one is actually rejected. That is why it isn't really a posh, elite thing. It is a traditional activity for DC area kids. You are reading way too much into it or projecting certain oddball insecurities about classism, elitism, exclusivity if you insist on making it more than it is. It is a kids dance. Period. Really, chill and move on lady.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doll, that's why you're taking it way too seriously: no, no one is actually rejected. That is why it isn't really a posh, elite thing. It is a traditional activity for DC area kids. You are reading way too much into it or projecting certain oddball insecurities about classism, elitism, exclusivity if you insist on making it more than it is. It is a kids dance. Period. Really, chill and move on lady.

And you are defending such crass displays of elitism and the insinuation that some are the "chosen," because....?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And all this time, we thought it was just a bunch of dance classes for kids. Oh wait, it is. Methinks y'all protest too much. Taking it all waaay to seriously ladies. Settle down now.

Actually strikes me as a bit of a humble brag on the part of the OP. Just wanting to let everyone know she got the invite!

OP here. Oh, yes, aren't you all just SO IMPRESSED that we made the mass mailing list! Our family, and every other in about 10 zip codes.

One more question: does anyone's application ever actually get rejected from this thing? The letter states that there is a review committee actually takes time out of their lives to go over the applications. (Can't you just imagine what that group looks like?!)

I'd imagine a bounced cheque might raise their eyebrows a smidge. I cannot imagine the Review Committee would smile upon that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doll, that's why you're taking it way too seriously: no, no one is actually rejected. That is why it isn't really a posh, elite thing. It is a traditional activity for DC area kids. You are reading way too much into it or projecting certain oddball insecurities about classism, elitism, exclusivity if you insist on making it more than it is. It is a kids dance. Period. Really, chill and move on lady.

I think I'm beginning to understand why you can't teach your child manners yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doll, that's why you're taking it way too seriously: no, no one is actually rejected. That is why it isn't really a posh, elite thing. It is a traditional activity for DC area kids. You are reading way too much into it or projecting certain oddball insecurities about classism, elitism, exclusivity if you insist on making it more than it is. It is a kids dance. Period. Really, chill and move on lady.

I think I'm beginning to understand why you can't teach your child manners yourself.

+1. Well put.

[Anonymous]

Let me see, this is a word-of-mouth organization, so if you know someone, you get an invitation. Sorry gals, this is no different than choosing who you want (and don't want) on your lil darlin's soccer team or at your darlin's birthday party. Why all the upset?

[Anonymous]

Upset not about getting or not getting invite. Humor is about how weirdly snooty the organization comes off as. If you want your DD hanging in Bethesda for a $45 blowout at drybar followed by a $25 dinner before the Simpsons escapades, then join. If you are lucky and your 12-year old is more interested in sports or academics or even TV watching on Friday night, and not consumed with hairdos, dresses, and makeup, your DC won't fit in. Mine doesn't and it makes me happy to know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me see, this is a word-of-mouth organization, so if you know someone, you get an invitation. Sorry gals, this is no different than choosing who you want (and don't want) on your lil darlin's soccer team or at your darlin's birthday party. Why all the upset?

I don't send all of the kids in my child's class a mass mailing along with an application to come to the party, or join the soccer team. They are either invited or they are not. They do not have to prove their parents pedigree before final acceptance. Big difference.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in the area and I the only cotillions I can recall were ones for underprivileged girls and the event was being sponsored by charity.

But given that this Ms. Simpson nonsense seems to have been around for a while, and clearly my suburban family was not involved, are there actually girls who have "coming out" parties in Washington Dc? And if so, what kind of "society" people are invited?

[Anonymous]

I think this is Ms. Simpon's class for poors:

https://www.facebook.com/NLJCFairfaxArlingtonChapters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doll, that's why you're taking it way too seriously: no, no one is actually rejected. That is why it isn't really a posh, elite thing. It is a traditional activity for DC area kids. You are reading way too much into it or projecting certain oddball insecurities about classism, elitism, exclusivity if you insist on making it more than it is. It is a kids dance. Period. Really, chill and move on lady.

Ah...a denizen of the rarefied air of Potomac weighs in at last...

[Anonymous]

If no one is rejected and anyone can request an invitation (if they want to be part of this at all), I fail to see why this is elitist. Yes, the wording of it all is deliberately old fashioned, but that is the vibe of these dances in every city. One of my kids did this and the other wouldn't go near it. We filled out the spare, un-elitist, entirely normal info about ourselves on the form. That's right, no country clubs or organizations and 2 fed jobs. No problem. I certainly never felt like I was being "vetted" in any real way - no more so than the much more elitist once-over I have gotten from other mothers at the school in the "where do you work/go on vacation, what neighborhood do you live in and who do you know. Come on, this is an elitist area, no doubt, but I've seen much, much worse than this anachronistic silly one.

[Anonymous]

The more fascinating question is how Mrs. Husband'sFirstName Husband'sMiddleName Husband'sLastName gets her white-gloved hands on the private, not-ever-to-be-used-for-commercial-purposes family directories of most of the NW DC private schools, and uses them year after year with impunity. Or is she just buying access to the list of registered Republicans in NW DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If no one is rejected and anyone can request an invitation (if they want to be part of this at all), I fail to see why this is elitist. Yes, the wording of it all is deliberately old fashioned, but that is the vibe of these dances in every city. One of my kids did this and the other wouldn't go near it. We filled out the spare, un-elitist, entirely normal info about ourselves on the form. That's right, no country clubs or organizations and 2 fed jobs. No problem. I certainly never felt like I was being "vetted" in any real way - no more so than the much more elitist once-over I have gotten from other mothers at the school in the "where do you work/go on vacation, what neighborhood do you live in and who do you know. Come on, this is an elitist area, no doubt, but I've seen much, much worse than this anachronistic silly one.

First of all, I don't think it is true that "anyone can request an invitation," to Mrs. Simpson's. Please correct me if I'm wrong about that, but I think you have to be proposed/ nominated by a current parent.

It is elitist to pretend that it is a true application process, whether or not it really is. The implication in the cover letter is that they have deigned to ask you to submit an application, and that after you send it in, they will review it and determine your worth to join the group. And the mothers at the school don't care where you work/ go on vacation/ what neighborhood you live in/ who you know. They're just making conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The more fascinating question is how Mrs. Husband'sFirstName Husband'sMiddleName Husband'sLastName gets her white-gloved hands on the private, not-ever-to-be-used-for-commercial-purposes family directories of most of the NW DC private schools, and uses them year after year with impunity. Or is she just buying access to the list of registered Republicans in NW DC?

In the case of our school, the name of a current parent is listed at the bottom of the application, as being the parent who "nominated" us. I have never heard of this woman or this family in my life. So I suspect that current Simpson parents at all of the area private schools turn over the directories, and Simpson takes it and runs with it. I doubt she pays a dime for it.