Things that are unintentional status symbols.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Driving to a store that's less than a mile away.

Paying anything for kindergarten.

Taking medication that makes your eyelashes thicker or injecting toxins to make your forehead smooth.

Waxing parts of your body that no one but your waxer will ever actually look at.

This is all wrong. These things are either intentional status symbols (private school) or just insecurity (botox).

The topic is UNINTENTIONAL symbols of status. The person who said "competing in Ironman triathlons" got it right. Not because the competitor is really fit or hot or something, but because only the upper echelon of people can take the time and have the income to train for that.

Those in the know, know this. You need nannies to watch your kids for the HOURS it takes to train, big bucks to fly all around the US, expensive equipment and food, personal trainers/ coaches, elective medical procedures, sports massages, and on and on and on. A good tri bike alone costs $5,000. Look it up.

Joe Schmoe, GS-11 commuting from Burke, Va. and married to Julie Schmoe, GS-10, with 2 kids in daycare at that closes at 6:30, SHARP, is going to have a hell of a time carving out the hours a day to prepare.

The two people I know who compete in triathlons are a grad student who makes almost no money and my mentally-challenged uncle who works as a grocery store checker. It isn't the activity you are commenting on, it is how someone goes about it. You can be into triathlons without an expensive bike or you can be really into yoga without expensive yoga pants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAHMS period.

That is just silly. Plenty of people without a lot of money SAH.

+1 and I speak for myself on this one

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAHMS period.

That is just silly. Plenty of people without a lot of money SAH.

But the thread title is unintentional status symbols. They could work most anywhere, but don't need to work anywhere. It is an unintentional announcement of the status of the family (or HHI, rather).

I just don't follow your logic. I SAH because I was a teacher and teachers barely earn more than nannies in this town. Any daycare center or nanny would have taken the vast majority of my earnings. Thus I feel like in my case staying at home is indicative of how little earning potential I have.

This is me exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Competing in triathlons, marathons, etc. It's trickling down a bit, but still largely belongs to upper middle class and up. Although they are show-offy pursuits, it's athletic prowess that's being shown off; I don't think most participants do it to flaunt wealth. Therefore, unintentional status symbols.

Yes plus the free time to train et

And people underestimate the costs that go into it. I don't have the money for the kind of clothing and shoes that would make that level of training safe. I also have only catastrophic health insurance, so it would be reckless of me to regularly do something that could cause injuries to my joints. If something happened, I wouldn't necessarily be able to get it checked out right away, and it might end up being a huge health problems later. Don't get me wrong, I still work out, but low impact is a priority partly for financial reasons.

Let's not forget the spouse who does all of the other work around the house and with the kids to be "supportive"/abandoned every weekend while the triathlete takes a 6 hour break to train. I wonder if this is when the au pair fills in more...

I dunno.

I think you're over-estimating the amount of time it takes to train for a tri. I get up at 4:30 or 5:30 in the morning to train before work. Lots of people ride bikes to work and home to train. I do some long workouts on the weeknds, but if I'm up at and out at 6 to run or bike, even my longest workouts get me home by 10 or 11. I don't do girls' nights outs or go shopping or golf. I don't think it's that much.

The amount of money can be a lot or it can be nothing. I see guys doing tris on $8000 bikes. Most people don't spend money like that on tris. I have a second-hand road bike that I paid $400 for on Craig's list. I did my first tri on a mountain bike that I borrowed from my brother. I buy $90 running shoes every quarter. I've had the same pair of pedals and bike shoes forever. I swim at the Y, which is part of our family membership.

[Anonymous]

Nanny
New cars
New homes

[Anonymous]

Somewhat worn but exquisite Persian carpets.

Not very attractive solid silver cutlery that is used every day.

Antique Native American jewelry.

[Anonymous]

Holy cow - some of these things make me laugh!

Whole Foods bags: kid has food allergies and WF is the ONLY place I can buy certain items. Never shopped there prior to having a child.

Making my own baby food: see above - baby food in jars has a lot of cross-contamination.

Soda Stream: Seriously? Works out to be much cheaper (and easier!) than lugging home enough seltzer to last 1-2 weeks. We make plain seltzer and use it every night to make 1 or 2 bottles.

VitaMix: okay, I'll give you this one, but it was bought on sale at Costco. Makes awesome smoothies and hummus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's the subtle things that signal old money:
A family cottage at a little known summer colony in New England
Multiple generational legacy at an Ivy League/7 sisters school
Passed down China
Grandma or Mom's old, well-made gowns and clothes

These are status symbols to those who can recognize them

Totally agree. Also those who grew up riding, sailing, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny
New cars
New homes

No, those are intentional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stupidly expensive strollers. Bonus of you have more than one for whatever scenario you and Larliandra may find yourselves in.

I think Bugaboos and Orbits are intentional status symbols.

but they are sooo coool...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Walking to the grocery store because you simply cannot abide having to freeze some chicken.

Owning a Vitamix, a Sodastream, and a Nespresso.

Not wearing make-up.



Not wearing make-up?? I don't get it. How is that a status symbol?


Read some of these posts:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/358596.page#4612401



Oh wow.. How did I miss that French women thread. Thanks for the link.. Most laughs I have had all day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's the subtle things that signal old money:
A family cottage at a little known summer colony in New England
Multiple generational legacy at an Ivy League/7 sisters school
Passed down China
Grandma or Mom's old, well-made gowns and clothes

These are status symbols to those who can recognize them

Totally agree. Also those who grew up riding, sailing, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny
New cars
New homes

No, those are intentional.

To you

[Anonymous]

Lmao at

-walking to store less than a mile away
-not wearing makeup
-being a sahm
-getting a manicure

Those are NOT unintentional status symbols. The lolz I tell ya.

[Anonymous]

using correct grammar

good penmanship

good manners

indicate well educated person; however, some well educated people forget they learned these skills