Snotty moms in MCPS!

[Anonymous]

Well if it make you Bethesda folks feel better, some of the DC bunch are even worse! I once overheard a snooty DC couple say to each other "where the hell are we? in Gaithersburg? In the most sarcastic and condescending tone. (We were actually in Glen Echo-but I guess it was too "far out" for them)-a-holes to max!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I disagree that it happens at every school. We are at Oakland Terrace in Silver Spring and it doesn't happen. The moms are not fake, nobody has $500 purses, and I can't remember the last time I saw a luxury SUV. Most of the parents I know are feds, some in the sciences and some in policy, some small business owners, teachers, tech workers, construction. Apparently the snotty parents don't move to this neighborhood. If I were to hazard a guess it would be because we do have about a 1/3 immigrant population in the school, to which snobs tend to be allergic. Frankly many of those kids are performing as well or better than my white kid.

I live in Bethesda, and most of my neighbors are feds, in the sciences, in policy, small business owners, teachers, tech workers, and in construction. So your point is....?

My point was that none of the parents I know at our school are the snobs the OP described, and I tried to back it up with some kind of description of the non-snobs, in my words. It sounds like the people who live near you are similar. Though I admit it truly is news to me though that most of the parents in Bethesda are feds, scientists, teachers, etc. I figured that since the average home price is something like $800K+, people in the professions I mentioned, who might make something like $100K at the best, could not afford to live there. Am I wrong about that? I truly don't know so I'd be curious. The two families I know well who live in Bethesda are 1) big law; and 2) double-physician family.

She didn't say most families in Bethesda. She said most families in her neighborhood in Bethesda. That's very believable to me because it's true in my neighborhood in Bethesda also. And I'm part of a two fed family living in Bethesda, soooo.

Yes. We left the private sector because the money-grubbing and back-stabbing was soul-killing. Lived responsibly while we were making good private sector salaries, now we are a one fed, one stay-at-home family in Bethesda. I drive a beater car and live in a modest house...been here less than 5 years. Many of our neighbors are fed-fed, fed-teacher, fed-something else, scientists, tech people, and self-employed. Some retired. There are a few biglaw lawyers, but I am struggling to think of any doctors. Normal folk, down-to-earth. More nerdy than glitzy. I'm sure there are fancier places in Bethesda, just as there are fancier places in DC, so why the broad-brush tarring of everyone who lives in a W cluster as snobby? If you take the time to look past the stereotypes, you'd probably be pleasantly surprised.

It's just like anything. The bad apple spoils the bunch. In Bethesda there are way too many bad apples.

Also, living inside the situation, you have probably become immune to the culture there. It is hard to consider your experience a reliable source.

Ha! So because I have actual familiarity I can't be impartial. So you are just right because you aren't as familiar. Or it could be that there are different neighborhoods in Bethesda that actually differ from one another. But no, that's not possible. Btw, I grew up in Appalachia, so I don't think I can ever be fully acculturated to snobbery. Of course there are snobs in Bethesda. And silver spring and takoma park and Capitol Hill and everywhere around here. But there are also nice non snobby neighborhoods here too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree that it happens at every school. We are at Oakland Terrace in Silver Spring and it doesn't happen. The moms are not fake, nobody has $500 purses, and I can't remember the last time I saw a luxury SUV. Most of the parents I know are feds, some in the sciences and some in policy, some small business owners, teachers, tech workers, construction. Apparently the snotty parents don't move to this neighborhood. If I were to hazard a guess it would be because we do have about a 1/3 immigrant population in the school, to which snobs tend to be allergic. Frankly many of those kids are performing as well or better than my white kid.

I live in Bethesda, and most of my neighbors are feds, in the sciences, in policy, small business owners, teachers, tech workers, and in construction. So your point is....?

My point was that none of the parents I know at our school are the snobs the OP described, and I tried to back it up with some kind of description of the non-snobs, in my words. It sounds like the people who live near you are similar. Though I admit it truly is news to me though that most of the parents in Bethesda are feds, scientists, teachers, etc. I figured that since the average home price is something like $800K+, people in the professions I mentioned, who might make something like $100K at the best, could not afford to live there. Am I wrong about that? I truly don't know so I'd be curious. The two families I know well who live in Bethesda are 1) big law; and 2) double-physician family.

She didn't say most families in Bethesda. She said most families in her neighborhood in Bethesda. That's very believable to me because it's true in my neighborhood in Bethesda also. And I'm part of a two fed family living in Bethesda, soooo.

Shhhh....let everyone think we're all terrible people, so they don't move here! The schools are way too overcrowded as it is.

Yes. We left the private sector because the money-grubbing and back-stabbing was soul-killing. Lived responsibly while we were making good private sector salaries, now we are a one fed, one stay-at-home family in Bethesda. I drive a beater car and live in a modest house...been here less than 5 years. Many of our neighbors are fed-fed, fed-teacher, fed-something else, scientists, tech people, and self-employed. Some retired. There are a few biglaw lawyers, but I am struggling to think of any doctors. Normal folk, down-to-earth. More nerdy than glitzy. I'm sure there are fancier places in Bethesda, just as there are fancier places in DC, so why the broad-brush tarring of everyone who lives in a W cluster as snobby? If you take the time to look past the stereotypes, you'd probably be pleasantly surprised.

It's just like anything. The bad apple spoils the bunch. In Bethesda there are way too many bad apples.

Also, living inside the situation, you have probably become immune to the culture there. It is hard to consider your experience a reliable source.

Ha! So because I have actual familiarity I can't be impartial. So you are just right because you aren't as familiar. Or it could be that there are different neighborhoods in Bethesda that actually differ from one another. But no, that's not possible. Btw, I grew up in Appalachia, so I don't think I can ever be fully acculturated to snobbery. Of course there are snobs in Bethesda. And silver spring and takoma park and Capitol Hill and everywhere around here. But there are also nice non snobby neighborhoods here too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree that it happens at every school. We are at Oakland Terrace in Silver Spring and it doesn't happen. The moms are not fake, nobody has $500 purses, and I can't remember the last time I saw a luxury SUV. Most of the parents I know are feds, some in the sciences and some in policy, some small business owners, teachers, tech workers, construction. Apparently the snotty parents don't move to this neighborhood. If I were to hazard a guess it would be because we do have about a 1/3 immigrant population in the school, to which snobs tend to be allergic. Frankly many of those kids are performing as well or better than my white kid.

I live in Bethesda, and most of my neighbors are feds, in the sciences, in policy, small business owners, teachers, tech workers, and in construction. So your point is....?

My point was that none of the parents I know at our school are the snobs the OP described, and I tried to back it up with some kind of description of the non-snobs, in my words. It sounds like the people who live near you are similar. Though I admit it truly is news to me though that most of the parents in Bethesda are feds, scientists, teachers, etc. I figured that since the average home price is something like $800K+, people in the professions I mentioned, who might make something like $100K at the best, could not afford to live there. Am I wrong about that? I truly don't know so I'd be curious. The two families I know well who live in Bethesda are 1) big law; and 2) double-physician family.

She didn't say most families in Bethesda. She said most families in her neighborhood in Bethesda. That's very believable to me because it's true in my neighborhood in Bethesda also. And I'm part of a two fed family living in Bethesda, soooo.

Yes. We left the private sector because the money-grubbing and back-stabbing was soul-killing. Lived responsibly while we were making good private sector salaries, now we are a one fed, one stay-at-home family in Bethesda. I drive a beater car and live in a modest house...been here less than 5 years. Many of our neighbors are fed-fed, fed-teacher, fed-something else, scientists, tech people, and self-employed. Some retired. There are a few biglaw lawyers, but I am struggling to think of any doctors. Normal folk, down-to-earth. More nerdy than glitzy. I'm sure there are fancier places in Bethesda, just as there are fancier places in DC, so why the broad-brush tarring of everyone who lives in a W cluster as snobby? If you take the time to look past the stereotypes, you'd probably be pleasantly surprised.

It's just like anything. The bad apple spoils the bunch. In Bethesda there are way too many bad apples.

Also, living inside the situation, you have probably become immune to the culture there. It is hard to consider your experience a reliable source.

Ha! So because I have actual familiarity I can't be impartial. So you are just right because you aren't as familiar. Or it could be that there are different neighborhoods in Bethesda that actually differ from one another. But no, that's not possible. Btw, I grew up in Appalachia, so I don't think I can ever be fully acculturated to snobbery. Of course there are snobs in Bethesda. And silver spring and takoma park and Capitol Hill and everywhere around here. But there are also nice non snobby neighborhoods here too.

Shhhh....let everyone think we're all terrible people, so they don't move here! The schools are way too overcrowded as it is.

[Anonymous]

I don't think this should be a surprise. "The W schools" or "West of the Tip of the Diamond" (west of rock creek park) is a different animal and it is snottier. I don't know why. I don't care. But people purposely move to that area in order to be around that vibe. Wasn't Bethesda just named the Snottiest City in America? I mean, they were able to measure it.

We moved to Silver Spring (near blair HS) 8 years ago and love it. I fairly familiar with snotty and just chose to not immerse my children in it. In other words, we consciously chose not to live over there because the attitude was so bad. But, the curbs and sidewalks are much nicer and there are fewer potholes. Same with the soccer fields. I'll give you that.

However, another PP is also correct in that we do joke that we are in Pennsylvania when I have to go up 270 for anything.

And, I have three kids -- in HS, MS, and ES. So I know the academics around here as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this should be a surprise. "The W schools" or "West of the Tip of the Diamond" (west of rock creek park) is a different animal and it is snottier. I don't know why. I don't care. But people purposely move to that area in order to be around that vibe. Wasn't Bethesda just named the Snottiest City in America? I mean, they were able to measure it.

We moved to Silver Spring (near blair HS) 8 years ago and love it. I fairly familiar with snotty and just chose to not immerse my children in it. In other words, we consciously chose not to live over there because the attitude was so bad. But, the curbs and sidewalks are much nicer and there are fewer potholes. Same with the soccer fields. I'll give you that.

However, another PP is also correct in that we do joke that we are in Pennsylvania when I have to go up 270 for anything.

And, I have three kids -- in HS, MS, and ES. So I know the academics around here as well.

Bethesda was ranked 2d snobbiest, with Rockville coming in at 8th. The factors included percentage of residents with college degrees, median house price, and proximity to the arts and private schools. I personally don't care about private schools or median house price, but having highly educated neighbors who enjoy the arts is hardly a bad thing. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bethesda-rockville-make-list-of-top-10-snobbiest-small-cities-in-america/2014/07/24/feac432a-1339-11e4-9285-4243a40ddc97_story.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this should be a surprise. "The W schools" or "West of the Tip of the Diamond" (west of rock creek park) is a different animal and it is snottier. I don't know why. I don't care. But people purposely move to that area in order to be around that vibe. Wasn't Bethesda just named the Snottiest City in America? I mean, they were able to measure it.

We moved to Silver Spring (near blair HS) 8 years ago and love it. I fairly familiar with snotty and just chose to not immerse my children in it. In other words, we consciously chose not to live over there because the attitude was so bad. But, the curbs and sidewalks are much nicer and there are fewer potholes. Same with the soccer fields. I'll give you that.

However, another PP is also correct in that we do joke that we are in Pennsylvania when I have to go up 270 for anything.

And, I have three kids -- in HS, MS, and ES. So I know the academics around here as well.

Bethesda was ranked 2d snobbiest, with Rockville coming in at 8th. The factors included percentage of residents with college degrees, median house price, and proximity to the arts and private schools. I personally don't care about private schools or median house price, but having highly educated neighbors who enjoy the arts is hardly a bad thing. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bethesda-rockville-make-list-of-top-10-snobbiest-small-cities-in-america/2014/07/24/feac432a-1339-11e4-9285-4243a40ddc97_story.html

That's a silly way to measure snobbiness. Surely if we put our heads together, we can come up with some better metrics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I live in a non-snooty part of mcps too. But through the years, my children have participated in activities in the wealthier parts of the county. The parents are definitely different- the vibe is different. You might not realize it (those defending their neighbors) but it really is striking.


Sounds like you're comparing oarents that you meet occasionally for activities to families in your own neighborhood whom you have had the chance to get to know over a period of time through school, life, activities, etc


You are making assumptions. My children have been very involved in these activities which are more than 10 hours a week. I am not talking about an occassional interaction.

High time commitment activities have their own parental subculture --- how do you extrapolate to a chunk of the county being snooty from your observations of that group?

Wow, you are really dense or in denial. I guess people believe what they want to believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this should be a surprise. "The W schools" or "West of the Tip of the Diamond" (west of rock creek park) is a different animal and it is snottier. I don't know why. I don't care. But people purposely move to that area in order to be around that vibe. Wasn't Bethesda just named the Snottiest City in America? I mean, they were able to measure it.

We moved to Silver Spring (near blair HS) 8 years ago and love it. I fairly familiar with snotty and just chose to not immerse my children in it. In other words, we consciously chose not to live over there because the attitude was so bad. But, the curbs and sidewalks are much nicer and there are fewer potholes. Same with the soccer fields. I'll give you that.

However, another PP is also correct in that we do joke that we are in Pennsylvania when I have to go up 270 for anything.

And, I have three kids -- in HS, MS, and ES. So I know the academics around here as well.

Bethesda was ranked 2d snobbiest, with Rockville coming in at 8th. The factors included percentage of residents with college degrees, median house price, and proximity to the arts and private schools. I personally don't care about private schools or median house price, but having highly educated neighbors who enjoy the arts is hardly a bad thing. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bethesda-rockville-make-list-of-top-10-snobbiest-small-cities-in-america/2014/07/24/feac432a-1339-11e4-9285-4243a40ddc97_story.html

That's a silly way to measure snobbiness. Surely if we put our heads together, we can come up with some better metrics?

Seriously. How middle school to try to put an entire community down for having highly educated residents. I think one of the other metrics was access to fast food, i.e., less fast food = snooty. Anyway, the "study" was a blog post by a real estate company...hard to say that's a scientific attempt to "measure" snobbiness.

[Anonymous]

I fairly familiar with snotty

Yes, you are definitely "fairly familiar with snotty."

[Anonymous]

Come to Chevy Chase if you want to really see snotty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Come to Chevy Chase if you want to really see snotty.

I live in CCMD and I am absolutely not snotty. But then again I am the mom that the rest are probably rolling their eyes at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this should be a surprise. "The W schools" or "West of the Tip of the Diamond" (west of rock creek park) is a different animal and it is snottier. I don't know why. I don't care. But people purposely move to that area in order to be around that vibe. Wasn't Bethesda just named the Snottiest City in America? I mean, they were able to measure it.

We moved to Silver Spring (near blair HS) 8 years ago and love it. I fairly familiar with snotty and just chose to not immerse my children in it. In other words, we consciously chose not to live over there because the attitude was so bad. But, the curbs and sidewalks are much nicer and there are fewer potholes. Same with the soccer fields. I'll give you that.

However, another PP is also correct in that we do joke that we are in Pennsylvania when I have to go up 270 for anything.

And, I have three kids -- in HS, MS, and ES. So I know the academics around here as well.

Bethesda was ranked 2d snobbiest, with Rockville coming in at 8th. The factors included percentage of residents with college degrees, median house price, and proximity to the arts and private schools. I personally don't care about private schools or median house price, but having highly educated neighbors who enjoy the arts is hardly a bad thing. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bethesda-rockville-make-list-of-top-10-snobbiest-small-cities-in-america/2014/07/24/feac432a-1339-11e4-9285-4243a40ddc97_story.html

That's a silly way to measure snobbiness. Surely if we put our heads together, we can come up with some better metrics?

why even bother?

How stupid many of you are!

If it's published, you read it and take it as THE word.

All articles have angles, and stats can be used to support anything.

[Anonymous]

Went to Union Market for the first time this weekend and it was eye opening. While maybe not directly snotty it was certainly a large group of extreme hipsters who I expect look down on those less hip. So every group has their own version of this and sometimes just being out of the "club" can make it seem snotty even when it's really not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is in a W school and while the kids are basically lovely (still in elementary), I find some of the moms so competitive, snooty and entitled. They are cliquish, gossipy and I just do not like the vibe, or feel like I fit in (or that I want to). Feels like JHS all over again! Is it better elsewhere?

THIS is why I work, instead of hanging out in the school parking lot gossiping for hours. yes, you gals know who you are! FWIW, my kids go to "THE" W school in MCPS and I have yet to run into any snooty parents.