Membership at Chevy Chase Club

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I had no idea real people lived like this. Wow.

Do such country club members ever feel a teensy bit wrong for spending their money that way?

Oh please. Do you ever feel the teensiest bit wrong about being a judgmental bitch who thinks she can tell others how to spend their money?

.

I didn't tell anyone how to spend their money. It was an honest question. I had no idea such clubs existed. These dollar amounts are mind-boggling to me. And someone mentioned this is a Catholic/Christian club, so that's why I asked, since their religions emphasize how hard it is for the rich to live a righteous life.

Where did you get the idea that it is a Christian club????

Isn't CCC de facto, a Christian club? How many Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists do you think are members? Also many Jews don't want to belong to CCC because of CCC's historical anti-semitic policies (I believe only changed in the last few decades),

I understand your point, but how many decades do you think need to pass before people (not just those who share the Jewish faith) can get past the way it used to be?

At least a generation. There are people still alive who have been turned down for membership at CCC because of their Jewish background.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I had no idea real people lived like this. Wow.

Do such country club members ever feel a teensy bit wrong for spending their money that way?

Do you ask the same question of the hundreds of people you see driving Mercedes or other expensive cars, those who live in really expensive houses, those who have second homes, private school parents, yacht owners...... I could go on and on. Where do you draw the line? Is a 800,000 house ok but not a three million? If you have one child is 10,000 sq feet wrong, but it's ok if you have 6 kids? I share your concerns for excessive consumption when there are people who don't have enough to eat, but these are very personal, individual decisions. We belong to a club, but we paid less because we are legacy and we really don't spend much money on other forms of entertainment, vacation, travel,etc. We enjoy all the activities the club offers and the friends we have there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I had no idea real people lived like this. Wow.

Do such country club members ever feel a teensy bit wrong for spending their money that way?

Oh please. Do you ever feel the teensiest bit wrong about being a judgmental bitch who thinks she can tell others how to spend their money?

.

I didn't tell anyone how to spend their money. It was an honest question. I had no idea such clubs existed. These dollar amounts are mind-boggling to me. And someone mentioned this is a Catholic/Christian club, so that's why I asked, since their religions emphasize how hard it is for the rich to live a righteous life.

Where did you get the idea that it is a Christian club????

Isn't CCC de facto, a Christian club? How many Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists do you think are members? Also many Jews don't want to belong to CCC because of CCC's historical anti-semitic policies (I believe only changed in the last few decades),

I understand your point, but how many decades do you think need to pass before people (not just those who share the Jewish faith) can get past the way it used to be?

At least a generation. There are people still alive who have been turned down for membership at CCC because of their Jewish background.

I agree and think that kind of discrimination is terrible, but the PP said "in the last few decades." If so, that would be at least a generation. Maybe that was incorrect info?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I had no idea real people lived like this. Wow.

Do such country club members ever feel a teensy bit wrong for spending their money that way?

Oh please. Do you ever feel the teensiest bit wrong about being a judgmental bitch who thinks she can tell others how to spend their money?

.

I didn't tell anyone how to spend their money. It was an honest question. I had no idea such clubs existed. These dollar amounts are mind-boggling to me. And someone mentioned this is a Catholic/Christian club, so that's why I asked, since their religions emphasize how hard it is for the rich to live a righteous life.

I'm not trying to be snarky, but how could you not know that there are people who live like this? There are people in this country that belong to multiple country clubs, fly on private jets, spend $10,000 on a purse and thousands on a bottle of wine, own several vacation homes, etc. The average Washington-area country club member lives quite modestly compared to many of the super rich in this country. Drive up Connecticut and peek into the parking lots of CCC and Columbia and you'll see more minivans and Volvos than luxury cars.

I know many people who belong to these clubs. Most of them don't live in mansions, drive fancy cars, live lavish lives. They just happen to value what the clubs have to offer. Many of the members I know are legacies and I would venture to guess could never have afforded to join the clubs if they had to pay the full initiation fees and/or didn't have families who helped them join. I also know several upper-middle class families who are paying their initiation fee in installments and choose to join a club over taking vacations or buying a bigger house.

Of course I know that there are fabulously wealthy people, and that charity is a personal decision. I just never realized there could be such a thing as a club with a pool and tennis courts that could cost that much to join.

We are a military family, and we have our officers club and pool, and I know it is all government subsidized. I know this area is very expensive. And I guess for some people a certain club offers a lot of advantages.

Again, what stood out to me was the idea that Christians would be comfortable with those kinds of fees. It seems like your kids could go swimming for a lot less. I never realized what country clubs were really like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I had no idea real people lived like this. Wow.

Do such country club members ever feel a teensy bit wrong for spending their money that way?

Oh please. Do you ever feel the teensiest bit wrong about being a judgmental bitch who thinks she can tell others how to spend their money?

.

I didn't tell anyone how to spend their money. It was an honest question. I had no idea such clubs existed. These dollar amounts are mind-boggling to me. And someone mentioned this is a Catholic/Christian club, so that's why I asked, since their religions emphasize how hard it is for the rich to live a righteous life.

I'm not trying to be snarky, but how could you not know that there are people who live like this? There are people in this country that belong to multiple country clubs, fly on private jets, spend $10,000 on a purse and thousands on a bottle of wine, own several vacation homes, etc. The average Washington-area country club member lives quite modestly compared to many of the super rich in this country. Drive up Connecticut and peek into the parking lots of CCC and Columbia and you'll see more minivans and Volvos than luxury cars.

I know many people who belong to these clubs. Most of them don't live in mansions, drive fancy cars, live lavish lives. They just happen to value what the clubs have to offer. Many of the members I know are legacies and I would venture to guess could never have afforded to join the clubs if they had to pay the full initiation fees and/or didn't have families who helped them join. I also know several upper-middle class families who are paying their initiation fee in installments and choose to join a club over taking vacations or buying a bigger house.

Of course I know that there are fabulously wealthy people, and that charity is a personal decision. I just never realized there could be such a thing as a club with a pool and tennis courts that could cost that much to join.

We are a military family, and we have our officers club and pool, and I know it is all government subsidized. I know this area is very expensive. And I guess for some people a certain club offers a lot of advantages.

Again, what stood out to me was the idea that Christians would be comfortable with those kinds of fees. It seems like your kids could go swimming for a lot less. I never realized what country clubs were really like.

To be blunt, it's not really all that different (except for the cost because, as you said, the officers' club/pool is government subsidized) from the concept of having a pool for the enlisted men and one for the families of military officers. When we swim in a separate pool, are we meeting the Christian ideal? I'm guessing not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I had no idea real people lived like this. Wow.

Do such country club members ever feel a teensy bit wrong for spending their money that way?

Oh please. Do you ever feel the teensiest bit wrong about being a judgmental bitch who thinks she can tell others how to spend their money?

.

I didn't tell anyone how to spend their money. It was an honest question. I had no idea such clubs existed. These dollar amounts are mind-boggling to me. And someone mentioned this is a Catholic/Christian club, so that's why I asked, since their religions emphasize how hard it is for the rich to live a righteous life.

I'm not trying to be snarky, but how could you not know that there are people who live like this? There are people in this country that belong to multiple country clubs, fly on private jets, spend $10,000 on a purse and thousands on a bottle of wine, own several vacation homes, etc. The average Washington-area country club member lives quite modestly compared to many of the super rich in this country. Drive up Connecticut and peek into the parking lots of CCC and Columbia and you'll see more minivans and Volvos than luxury cars.

I know many people who belong to these clubs. Most of them don't live in mansions, drive fancy cars, live lavish lives. They just happen to value what the clubs have to offer. Many of the members I know are legacies and I would venture to guess could never have afforded to join the clubs if they had to pay the full initiation fees and/or didn't have families who helped them join. I also know several upper-middle class families who are paying their initiation fee in installments and choose to join a club over taking vacations or buying a bigger house.

Of course I know that there are fabulously wealthy people, and that charity is a personal decision. I just never realized there could be such a thing as a club with a pool and tennis courts that could cost that much to join.

We are a military family, and we have our officers club and pool, and I know it is all government subsidized. I know this area is very expensive. And I guess for some people a certain club offers a lot of advantages.

Again, what stood out to me was the idea that Christians would be comfortable with those kinds of fees. It seems like your kids could go swimming for a lot less. I never realized what country clubs were really like.

To be blunt, it's not really all that different (except for the cost because, as you said, the officers' club/pool is government subsidized) from the concept of having a pool for the enlisted men and one for the families of military officers. When we swim in a separate pool, are we meeting the Christian ideal? I'm guessing not.

I'm lost. I don't see the parallel at all. Enlisted and officers are separated to maintain good order and discipline and to prevent fraternization. It is not a statement on intrinsic value in the eyes of God, about comparative wealth, or even about amenities (they are the same).

Military live the Christian ideal of laying down their lives for their neighbors. But their individual virtues are certainly not assured. We're all human.

I just don't see your point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I had no idea real people lived like this. Wow.

Do such country club members ever feel a teensy bit wrong for spending their money that way?

Oh please. Do you ever feel the teensiest bit wrong about being a judgmental bitch who thinks she can tell others how to spend their money?

.

I didn't tell anyone how to spend their money. It was an honest question. I had no idea such clubs existed. These dollar amounts are mind-boggling to me. And someone mentioned this is a Catholic/Christian club, so that's why I asked, since their religions emphasize how hard it is for the rich to live a righteous life.

I'm not trying to be snarky, but how could you not know that there are people who live like this? There are people in this country that belong to multiple country clubs, fly on private jets, spend $10,000 on a purse and thousands on a bottle of wine, own several vacation homes, etc. The average Washington-area country club member lives quite modestly compared to many of the super rich in this country. Drive up Connecticut and peek into the parking lots of CCC and Columbia and you'll see more minivans and Volvos than luxury cars.

I know many people who belong to these clubs. Most of them don't live in mansions, drive fancy cars, live lavish lives. They just happen to value what the clubs have to offer. Many of the members I know are legacies and I would venture to guess could never have afforded to join the clubs if they had to pay the full initiation fees and/or didn't have families who helped them join. I also know several upper-middle class families who are paying their initiation fee in installments and choose to join a club over taking vacations or buying a bigger house.

Of course I know that there are fabulously wealthy people, and that charity is a personal decision. I just never realized there could be such a thing as a club with a pool and tennis courts that could cost that much to join.

We are a military family, and we have our officers club and pool, and I know it is all government subsidized. I know this area is very expensive. And I guess for some people a certain club offers a lot of advantages.

Again, what stood out to me was the idea that Christians would be comfortable with those kinds of fees. It seems like your kids could go swimming for a lot less. I never realized what country clubs were really like.

To be blunt, it's not really all that different (except for the cost because, as you said, the officers' club/pool is government subsidized) from the concept of having a pool for the enlisted men and one for the families of military officers. When we swim in a separate pool, are we meeting the Christian ideal? I'm guessing not.

I'm lost. I don't see the parallel at all. Enlisted and officers are separated to maintain good order and discipline and to prevent fraternization. It is not a statement on intrinsic value in the eyes of God, about comparative wealth, or even about amenities (they are the same).

Military live the Christian ideal of laying down their lives for their neighbors. But their individual virtues are certainly not assured. We're all human.

I just don't see your point.

Just FYI, we have several Naval Academy and Air Force Academy grads in our family. I understand about laying down lives for neighbors. It's stilll the concept of separating the "upper" from the "lowers." Even you said, "to prevent fraternization." I'm just pointing out that I doubt Jesus would have thought such separation necessary . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not surprised that people can have a home, international travel, etc and still have money for a country club. I am just shocked that you would spend $100k on a country club, of all things. Imagine all you could do with that money by scaling back just a tiiiiiny bit.

This. It's hard to even fathom anyone spending that kind of money so frivolously when some of us don't even have a house to live in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Of course I know that there are fabulously wealthy people, and that charity is a personal decision. I just never realized there could be such a thing as a club with a pool and tennis courts that could cost that much to join.

We are a military family, and we have our officers club and pool, and I know it is all government subsidized. I know this area is very expensive. And I guess for some people a certain club offers a lot of advantages.

Again, what stood out to me was the idea that Christians would be comfortable with those kinds of fees. It seems like your kids could go swimming for a lot less. I never realized what country clubs were really like.

To be blunt, it's not really all that different (except for the cost because, as you said, the officers' club/pool is government subsidized) from the concept of having a pool for the enlisted men and one for the families of military officers. When we swim in a separate pool, are we meeting the Christian ideal? I'm guessing not.

I'm lost. I don't see the parallel at all. Enlisted and officers are separated to maintain good order and discipline and to prevent fraternization. It is not a statement on intrinsic value in the eyes of God, about comparative wealth, or even about amenities (they are the same).

Military live the Christian ideal of laying down their lives for their neighbors. But their individual virtues are certainly not assured. We're all human.

I just don't see your point.

Just FYI, we have several Naval Academy and Air Force Academy grads in our family. I understand about laying down lives for neighbors. It's stilll the concept of separating the "upper" from the "lowers." Even you said, "to prevent fraternization." I'm just pointing out that I doubt Jesus would have thought such separation necessary . . .

.

Jesus didn't come to organize an effective military.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Of course I know that there are fabulously wealthy people, and that charity is a personal decision. I just never realized there could be such a thing as a club with a pool and tennis courts that could cost that much to join.

We are a military family, and we have our officers club and pool, and I know it is all government subsidized. I know this area is very expensive. And I guess for some people a certain club offers a lot of advantages.

Again, what stood out to me was the idea that Christians would be comfortable with those kinds of fees. It seems like your kids could go swimming for a lot less. I never realized what country clubs were really like.

To be blunt, it's not really all that different (except for the cost because, as you said, the officers' club/pool is government subsidized) from the concept of having a pool for the enlisted men and one for the families of military officers. When we swim in a separate pool, are we meeting the Christian ideal? I'm guessing not.

I'm lost. I don't see the parallel at all. Enlisted and officers are separated to maintain good order and discipline and to prevent fraternization. It is not a statement on intrinsic value in the eyes of God, about comparative wealth, or even about amenities (they are the same).

Military live the Christian ideal of laying down their lives for their neighbors. But their individual virtues are certainly not assured. We're all human.

I just don't see your point.

Just FYI, we have several Naval Academy and Air Force Academy grads in our family. I understand about laying down lives for neighbors. It's stilll the concept of separating the "upper" from the "lowers." Even you said, "to prevent fraternization." I'm just pointing out that I doubt Jesus would have thought such separation necessary . . .

.

Jesus didn't come to organize an effective military.

Now that we brought Jesus into the discussion, if it were up to Jesus would we even need a military? Would he approve of war? I'm not trying to start a religious or moral fight here, but I do find it funny how people use Jesus when it's convenient to support their position but conveniently forget about his teachings when they're contradictory. FWIW, I fully support the military and fully support the right of people to choose to join country clubs or spend their money however they find fit.

[Anonymous]

Did Jesus belong to the CCC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Of course I know that there are fabulously wealthy people, and that charity is a personal decision. I just never realized there could be such a thing as a club with a pool and tennis courts that could cost that much to join.

We are a military family, and we have our officers club and pool, and I know it is all government subsidized. I know this area is very expensive. And I guess for some people a certain club offers a lot of advantages.

Again, what stood out to me was the idea that Christians would be comfortable with those kinds of fees. It seems like your kids could go swimming for a lot less. I never realized what country clubs were really like.

To be blunt, it's not really all that different (except for the cost because, as you said, the officers' club/pool is government subsidized) from the concept of having a pool for the enlisted men and one for the families of military officers. When we swim in a separate pool, are we meeting the Christian ideal? I'm guessing not.

I'm lost. I don't see the parallel at all. Enlisted and officers are separated to maintain good order and discipline and to prevent fraternization. It is not a statement on intrinsic value in the eyes of God, about comparative wealth, or even about amenities (they are the same).

Military live the Christian ideal of laying down their lives for their neighbors. But their individual virtues are certainly not assured. We're all human.

I just don't see your point.

Just FYI, we have several Naval Academy and Air Force Academy grads in our family. I understand about laying down lives for neighbors. It's stilll the concept of separating the "upper" from the "lowers." Even you said, "to prevent fraternization." I'm just pointing out that I doubt Jesus would have thought such separation necessary . . .

.

Jesus didn't come to organize an effective military.

Now that we brought Jesus into the discussion, if it were up to Jesus would we even need a military? Would he approve of war? I'm not trying to start a religious or moral fight here, but I do find it funny how people use Jesus when it's convenient to support their position but conveniently forget about his teachings when they're contradictory. FWIW, I fully support the military and fully support the right of people to choose to join country clubs or spend their money however they find fit.

Well, I can see I've started more than I intended. By bringing Jesus into the discussion, I wasn't trying to conveniently support my position. I was sincerely asking the question--one I ask myself many times because I also have belonged to a country club, attended private schools, spent weekends swimming in officers' club pools, taken nice trips, bought high end clothes, etc. I've also worked hard and tried to make careful choices. Balancing how to spend your time and money vs thinking of others can be really tough on the old conscience.

[Anonymous]

WWJD?

Certainly NOT belong to a country club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not surprised that people can have a home, international travel, etc and still have money for a country club. I am just shocked that you would spend $100k on a country club, of all things. Imagine all you could do with that money by scaling back just a tiiiiiny bit.

This. It's hard to even fathom anyone spending that kind of money so frivolously when some of us don't even have a house to live in.

It is their money and they can spend it how they wish. A few people have $50,000 watches, you can tell time just as well on a $1,000 watch, but it's their money and they can spend $100,000 on a watch, country club membership, whatever. Some people don't have a car and some people drive cars that cost more than $75,000. Again, it is their money. There is not obligation, moral or legal, for the very rich to buy a house or car for anyone else. There is a moral obligation to give to charity but no legal obligation.

Frankly, I enjoy seeing the very rich enjoying themselves as it gives me a better perspective on my own life. I can't have their life style but I like my life and I am happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The initiation fee is closer to $125-$150K. My sister belongs to CCCC, they live in CC Village. They joined in maybe 2002 and I think the fee (though I have never asked or been given specifics) was about $100K. I thought you needed 25 letters of recommendation (but maybe it's 18) and they are from people that have been to YOUR house and you have been to theirs. Basically, you have to be in the CCCC social circles to get in.

I have never seen any African Americans at the pool and I don't know of any Jewish families there, either. It is pretty Waspy/Catholic. Lots of bigger families. I think most of the families fall in the income range of $300-$600K. Everyone else is probably upwards of that and not beneath $300K. I don't know what the yearly dues are but I wouldn't be surprised if they are $60-80K.

There is a no cell phone policy and I think it is nice when I am the pool. Sometimes I forget and no one yells at me, I just go out into the parking lot.

There is a lot of misinformation here. The initiation fee was 85,000 about two years ago. It may have gone up a little but I don't think it's over 100,000 -- probably more like 90/95. You need 8 letters of support for both the member and spouse. The yearly dues are $7200, a far cry from 60-80k. As some pp pointed out, the initials are CCC, not CCCC.

WTH, my sister always exaggerates about money!

Well I am sorry for the misinformation but she seriously has this complex where she wants to outspend everyone in the family.