Anonymous
04/15/2019 23:10
Subject: Subtle signs of class
So, didn't follow this thread, but classy always means rich? Can a UMC or MC or poor be classy?
Anonymous
04/15/2019 23:04
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Anonymous wrote:Classy people speak well - no Ebonics or hip hop slang. Can speak French as a second language. Asks the maid to translate the Spanish help.
Wow that’s super racist. And wrong.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 23:00
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Classy people speak well - no Ebonics or hip hop slang. Can speak French as a second language. Asks the maid to translate the Spanish help.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 22:12
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Small kitchen, lots of guest rooms, old American cars with some dirt on them. Persian rugs obtained by an older relative whist traveling in Iraq or Yemen in the early 1900s. Vacations include things like helicopter trips to hunt moose or elk, or expeditions on camel with Bedouins. Art includes antiquities, framed handwritten poems signed by Maya Angelou, and mounted heads of animals killed while hunting.
You mean, Doctor Maya Angelou?
-Opfra
The pp provides a subtle class signal. The rich, and even the UMC, are not impressed that she's a doctor. They are impressed that she's Maya Angelou.
It's less about being impressed and more about showing respect. I read it more as a subtle race signal. I grew up around white people who would refer to Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, etc. Now I work among black people who always refer to Dr. King, Dr. Maya Angelou, etc. You can bet I use the titles people have earned now.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 22:04
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Small kitchen, lots of guest rooms, old American cars with some dirt on them. Persian rugs obtained by an older relative whist traveling in Iraq or Yemen in the early 1900s. Vacations include things like helicopter trips to hunt moose or elk, or expeditions on camel with Bedouins. Art includes antiquities, framed handwritten poems signed by Maya Angelou, and mounted heads of animals killed while hunting.
This is mighty specific
I can be more general. The rich prefer their houses out of sight, either by an out of the way location or set back behind trees or a high wall of shrubbery. Although a gate or other structural features might be visible, the house will be primarily surrounded by natural features. The house itself will be made of high quality materials (brick, marble, etc) and there is a strong preference for old wood flooring. The house will retain original features, and great care is taken to retain original finishings. The house is built with entertainment in mind, so the larger rooms are for dining and socializing. Since the rich are served, the kitchen is small, spartan, and outdated.
The rich enjoy an occasional elaborate meal, but usually eat sparingly and tend toward healthy comfort food. Lunch may consist of a tomato soup with fresh cream and basil, or a salad. Breakfast is a bowl of oatmeal or eggs. Dinner may be larger but usually classic- a pan seared steak, cooked in butter. Or grilled salmon. Grilled veggies on the side.
Alcohol abounds but is, like food, driven by comfort and familiarity. The table wine tends to be the same at each meal and is a familiar brand of high quality wine (caymus, opus one) or more likely, a boutique wine with qhom the family has developed a client like relationship and from whom the family buys in bulk. No sweet alcohol, no fruity cocktails, and absolutely no wines made from fruits other than grapes.
The rich dress in layers and the layers are colorful. A rich man does not use a white undershirt in his off time, he wears something more striking. He gets extra points with multiple layers. His entire wardrobe is built for xomfort- this is seen mostly in the exceptional quality of the materials, which are natural.
The rich appreciate authenticity in all forms. They want to look a fish in the eye when they eat it, they want their tacos from a truck where all the day laborers eat. They want to learn salsa dancing while in their summer in Colombia and experience the exhilarating humiliation of a Turkish bathhouse. Therefore they do not prefer to interact only with other rich people because that would deprive them of the fullness of the human condition. A Michelin rated restaurant might have more reliable quality, but the rich love neighborhood gems even more.
The rich love hygge. They love fire and candles, water glistening in the moonlight, and music played slightly too softly.
The rich pursue education in order to improve their conversation skills, not to learn a skill. Unless the skill is fun, like being a pilot or an archeologist. Under no circumstances does a rich man adorn his car with a bumper sticker of his alma mater.
This reads like aspirational marketing copy. Sign me up for the fire and candles, water glistening in moonlight experience.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 21:59
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Small kitchen, lots of guest rooms, old American cars with some dirt on them. Persian rugs obtained by an older relative whist traveling in Iraq or Yemen in the early 1900s. Vacations include things like helicopter trips to hunt moose or elk, or expeditions on camel with Bedouins. Art includes antiquities, framed handwritten poems signed by Maya Angelou, and mounted heads of animals killed while hunting.
You mean, Doctor Maya Angelou?
-Opfra
The pp provides a subtle class signal. The rich, and even the UMC, are not impressed that she's a doctor. They are impressed that she's Maya Angelou.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 21:09
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Small kitchen, lots of guest rooms, old American cars with some dirt on them. Persian rugs obtained by an older relative whist traveling in Iraq or Yemen in the early 1900s. Vacations include things like helicopter trips to hunt moose or elk, or expeditions on camel with Bedouins. Art includes antiquities, framed handwritten poems signed by Maya Angelou, and mounted heads of animals killed while hunting.
This is mighty specific
I can be more general. The rich prefer their houses out of sight, either by an out of the way location or set back behind trees or a high wall of shrubbery. Although a gate or other structural features might be visible, the house will be primarily surrounded by natural features. The house itself will be made of high quality materials (brick, marble, etc) and there is a strong preference for old wood flooring. The house will retain original features, and great care is taken to retain original finishings. The house is built with entertainment in mind, so the larger rooms are for dining and socializing. Since the rich are served, the kitchen is small, spartan, and outdated.
The rich enjoy an occasional elaborate meal, but usually eat sparingly and tend toward healthy comfort food. Lunch may consist of a tomato soup with fresh cream and basil, or a salad. Breakfast is a bowl of oatmeal or eggs. Dinner may be larger but usually classic- a pan seared steak, cooked in butter. Or grilled salmon. Grilled veggies on the side.
Alcohol abounds but is, like food, driven by comfort and familiarity. The table wine tends to be the same at each meal and is a familiar brand of high quality wine (caymus, opus one) or more likely, a boutique wine with qhom the family has developed a client like relationship and from whom the family buys in bulk. No sweet alcohol, no fruity cocktails, and absolutely no wines made from fruits other than grapes.
The rich dress in layers and the layers are colorful. A rich man does not use a white undershirt in his off time, he wears something more striking. He gets extra points with multiple layers. His entire wardrobe is built for xomfort- this is seen mostly in the exceptional quality of the materials, which are natural.
The rich appreciate authenticity in all forms. They want to look a fish in the eye when they eat it, they want their tacos from a truck where all the day laborers eat. They want to learn salsa dancing while in their summer in Colombia and experience the exhilarating humiliation of a Turkish bathhouse. Therefore they do not prefer to interact only with other rich people because that would deprive them of the fullness of the human condition. A Michelin rated restaurant might have more reliable quality, but the rich love neighborhood gems even more.
The rich love hygge. They love fire and candles, water glistening in the moonlight, and music played slightly too softly.
The rich pursue education in order to improve their conversation skills, not to learn a skill. Unless the skill is fun, like being a pilot or an archeologist. Under no circumstances does a rich man adorn his car with a bumper sticker of his alma mater.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 20:06
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Anonymous wrote:Small kitchen, lots of guest rooms, old American cars with some dirt on them. Persian rugs obtained by an older relative whist traveling in Iraq or Yemen in the early 1900s. Vacations include things like helicopter trips to hunt moose or elk, or expeditions on camel with Bedouins. Art includes antiquities, framed handwritten poems signed by Maya Angelou, and mounted heads of animals killed while hunting.
This is mighty specific
Anonymous
04/15/2019 19:51
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Small kitchen, lots of guest rooms, old American cars with some dirt on them. Persian rugs obtained by an older relative whist traveling in Iraq or Yemen in the early 1900s. Vacations include things like helicopter trips to hunt moose or elk, or expeditions on camel with Bedouins. Art includes antiquities, framed handwritten poems signed by Maya Angelou, and mounted heads of animals killed while hunting.
Good evening, J. Peterman!
Haha. I think you mean Persian or Iranian.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 19:34
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand how anyone with an IQ over 80 can believe everything is solvable. Are these people simpletons?
Oh FFS!
I'm not one of the PPs involved in that discussion above, but it's obvious what they mean. "Old money" people exude a certain amount of confidence and unflappability, because between their wealth and their network a lot of things that would be challenging for others are much easier for them. Even cancer is easier, because they are probably networked to a bunch of doctors and specialists. My parents are immigrants (and don't live in NE), but I grew up with a lot of the same benefits between their family status in their country of origin and the status they earned in the US. They did this through amassing wealth and through cultivating a network. There are things that cause others anxiety that I just don't worry about as much, since I have a lot of confidence in my safety net. Having dealt with terminal diseases etc within my family, I know that it doesn't mean everything is "solvable", but, in the case of cancer, I'm just worried about finding the best doctor and hoping they say that a treatment exists...I'm not worried about affording it or even getting on their schedule. I know I've got connections to help me with the latter.
I have no idea if the above is a marker of "class" in the way that OP means it to be. But I think there is something about having a combination of wealth and network. And, ultimately, the network is a lot more valuable than the wealth (though the former might evaporate without the latter).
Also, since the Kennedys have come up, I will say that I once hung out at the home of a Kennedy (not while they were there, it's a long story...but it was all above board). The thing about the old, worn-out-but-high-quality furniture is definitely true.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 19:26
Subject: Subtle signs of class
First, yes, this thread has jumped the shark.
But, also, in addition to people conflating money with class (or lack of for lack of), many have ignored the word "subtle" in the name of the thread.
Really, all signs of class are inherently subtle.
The big one in America is the same as in the UK (and other countries as well). It's how people speak. Not big words (although a few peppered in reinforce distinctions), but rather how they speak. Accents. And, by this I don't only mean regional accents. Southern accents get a bad rap in the U.S., for instance, but there is genteel southern and redneck southern. Same for northern/New England accents.
Grammar is important, but elocution is as well, and it's one of the most important advantages someone can have.
Other signs people have mentioned that truly are subtle signs are the offering of food and drink at all times (essentially hosting/hospitality). The numerous guest rooms is a good example. Related to this is involvement in charity without thought; it's just something you do. Obviously this often connects with money, but it's more than that when it's a sign of class. It's a given within the family - less donation of money and more built into the family's time.
Honestly, clothes and cars and even houses have very little to do with it, although houses are never in poor areas. They are also never insanely large or new. For those with money, there may be multiples (often more family properties that are shared), but none are nice, and none are cookie cutter.
Gardening is something that is prioritized and often done on one's own, although really these days heavy labor will be outsourced, which can be sensible. But, tending to seasonal beautification is done by the homeowners themselves, in wellie boots (green or black, never patterned).
Again, the key to class is subtlety - they go hand in hand.
But, also, in addition to people conflating money with class (or lack of for lack of), many have ignored the word "subtle" in the name of the thread.
Really, all signs of class are inherently subtle.
The big one in America is the same as in the UK (and other countries as well). It's how people speak. Not big words (although a few peppered in reinforce distinctions), but rather how they speak. Accents. And, by this I don't only mean regional accents. Southern accents get a bad rap in the U.S., for instance, but there is genteel southern and redneck southern. Same for northern/New England accents.
Grammar is important, but elocution is as well, and it's one of the most important advantages someone can have.
Other signs people have mentioned that truly are subtle signs are the offering of food and drink at all times (essentially hosting/hospitality). The numerous guest rooms is a good example. Related to this is involvement in charity without thought; it's just something you do. Obviously this often connects with money, but it's more than that when it's a sign of class. It's a given within the family - less donation of money and more built into the family's time.
Honestly, clothes and cars and even houses have very little to do with it, although houses are never in poor areas. They are also never insanely large or new. For those with money, there may be multiples (often more family properties that are shared), but none are nice, and none are cookie cutter.
Gardening is something that is prioritized and often done on one's own, although really these days heavy labor will be outsourced, which can be sensible. But, tending to seasonal beautification is done by the homeowners themselves, in wellie boots (green or black, never patterned).
Again, the key to class is subtlety - they go hand in hand.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 19:22
Subject: Re:Subtle signs of class
If you want the epitome of subtle signs of old money class look no further than Senator Ted Kennedy. First his old man gets him into Harvard. After Teddy gets kicked out of Harvard for having somebody else take his Spanish exam, he then joined the army. When he enlisted he mistakenly signed up for four years. His old man, Joe the appeaser, got his stretch cut to two years and he kept Teddy out of Korea. Kennedy gets back into Harvard and finishes somehow. He then applied to UVA law school and, over the objections of the entire law school student body, got accepted. He openly stated that he was the dumbest guy in the school and repeatedly got away with speeding and drunk driving in Charlottesville. He then gets a seat in the United States Senate bought and paid for by the old man. He then gets away with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident. Mary Jo did not drown – she was trapped in the car and asphyxiated. He then drives his beautiful and cultured wife crazy and along with boozing buddy Chris Dodd mug waitresses in restaurants up and down the Eastern seaboard.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 19:17
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Dog hair and moth holes are definitely signs of class.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 19:16
Subject: Subtle signs of class
I’m rich - don’t have a kindle, or a tablets, or Apple Watches,
Or fitbits, and we only have one tv. In my opinion, video games and lots of electronics skews poor and uneducated. “Technology” skews UMC, but not all the way to rich. But I also know that my opinion is not gereally shared. There are a Lot of rich kids at my kids’ school with massive amounts of product. Which, maybe, is why they spend $7000 to send them to screen free summer camp! Hehehe.
Or fitbits, and we only have one tv. In my opinion, video games and lots of electronics skews poor and uneducated. “Technology” skews UMC, but not all the way to rich. But I also know that my opinion is not gereally shared. There are a Lot of rich kids at my kids’ school with massive amounts of product. Which, maybe, is why they spend $7000 to send them to screen free summer camp! Hehehe.
Anonymous
04/15/2019 19:09
Subject: Subtle signs of class
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:They don’t talk about money.
Kids have surnames for names.
They never seem ruffled. Any problem is solvable and they have a family safety net.
Not overly concerned with organic food, toys, clothes, etc.
Will offer you an alcoholic beverage any time of day you pop by.
This is pretty much the only accurate description in this entire thread. The surnames can be middle names.
lol. No. I think this is an accurate description of what most people THINK high class people are like.
As an old-school DC money person (you don’t have to believe me; affects me not at all) I would say this is pretty accurate. Family name somewhere in the name (no “I love Hugo as a middle name!)”
Everything is solvable.
Most things seem like new money issues, because they are.
As another old-money person, although not native to DC, the points about alcohol and everything being solvable thanks to the family safety net are right. The last-names-as-middle-names thing is wrong, as is the supposed lack of interest in organic food.
How does money solve incest?