What qualifies as 'Old money'?

[Anonymous]

And do you think the distinction between 'old money' and 'new money' even matters in Washington?

[Anonymous]

I'm sure there is some sort of a standard, but I would think it is obscene amounts of family money which has been passed down for at least 3 generations.

It matters to certain people and it will always lend a pedigree to a family. Is this silly? Yes, but they are not my rules.

[Anonymous]

All American money is new money.

[Anonymous]

Let's not waste our time talking about boring things like that, dear. Instead, why don't you hand me another cheese straw and tell me how you liked the Cape this summer?

[Anonymous]

Anyone who has bought their own furniture is new money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who has bought their own furniture is new money.

Isn't that the cliche though? Haven't bought any furniture (for all the heirlooms handed down) or silverware since the 1700s?

Boston is big on 'Old Money', but I honestly only see new money here in Washington, DC. Maybe because it's a transient population?

[Anonymous]

The old money is in NW (think Foxhall) and Chevy Chase.

[Anonymous]

I think "old money" is relative to the town you're in, to some degree, but it implies the money's been around for several generations at least? There's old money here, in Georgetown, Wesley Heights, Foxhall, etc. You see the family names on the benefactor lists in the KenCen program. Some of the families attend my church in Gtown. Old money isn't necessarily obscene amounts, I don't think - I always think more of "old money" as implying that the family has nice real estate in town and a summer location, plus some family members who have trust funds and may or may not work. The kids go to private school, and the clothes are probably more expensive, but the cars are not necessarily flashy. But when I think of obscene amounts of money, I think that's more of a new money kind of thing. (my dad married into an old money family in KC, one that routinely ended up in the social pages, so this stuff is on my radar.)

[Anonymous]

Old money is not easily defined.

There is not much old money in Washington.

If you think you see old money, you probably do not.

They are educated, considerate, generous and mindful. Not only do they have money and do NOT show it off, they act as if they enjoy life. They are happy, and *very much* in tune to the fact that money does not buy happiness. [You will find this if you meet famous people who have attained a certain degree of success, from certain places.] They are carefree and in the moment.

It is not a Washington way to be. Washington is far more pretentious than old money. There is far more new money than old money in general, and especially, in the D.C. area.

Most old money does not dress/act like the upper echelon private schools in this area, nor the patrons at "KenCen", Arena Stage, and the like.

Big money is from a very, very, very small tax bracket. Old money is from a smaller tax bracket.

I speak from experience.

The reason D.C.'ers take offense to old money is - there is very little (if any) old money in D.C.; and because D.C.'ers like to have lists, or things to "aspire" to, and old money is impossible to attain from a list.

Look around. How many enormous old homes (NOT add ons) are original in this area? How many enormous, well built, attention-to-detail, *truly* custom homes have been here for 100 years or more?

Old money is NOT easily impressed.

People like the Salahis could really have only materialized (pun intended) in this area.

There is more.....

[Anonymous]

Furniture and "American money" (vs. pesos?!?!?) have *absolutely nothing* to do with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's not waste our time talking about boring things like that, dear. Instead, why don't you hand me another cheese straw and tell me how you liked the Cape this summer?

I prefer Cheez Whiz and Ocean City.

[Anonymous]

I've lived here my whole life and I think that the pps have captured old money in the dc area pretty well. I will add that since dc is so transient, you will occasionally find old money in dc from families that are not native washingtonians. Although I don't know if "transplant" old money counts or not.

[Anonymous]

Also, Old Money does NOT have lists!

[Anonymous]

11:55 you have no idea what you're talking about. Drive around Georgetown and tell me again there are no homes here over 100 years old. I am third generation Washington and while not old money myself, know LOTS of people who are. You don't see them b/c they don't care about your "lists" and what all of the new glossy magazines seem to consider society. Go to Miss Simpsons cotillion; the Chevy Chase Club, and the Metroplitan Club. Your stereotypes about enjoying themselves and "living life" are hilarious and naive. Money doesn't buy happiness, and a lot of people who are "old" money don't really have that much of it. People like the Salahis are very, very new to this area and those of us who have been here more than 15 years wish the IT and lobbying booms had never come b/c of the way they all have commercialized what used to be our nice, small city - we don't count the people who come and go with politics.

[Anonymous]

12:45 - you know not to whom you speak. Which makes this especially funny.

Funny, if you eliminate all the people you mentioned, there would be hardly anyone left. And certainly not the old money you are dreaming about.

Next time you attend a White House dinner - and are actually invited - you tell me who is there. Better yet, I'll text you.