Anonymous wrote:Why is that? Why are the rich not the "beautiful people" in DC? This is the only city I have seen this phenomena? They have the money to fix themselves but they don't. Not being snarky, just curious.

Is it because they are not vain? Or is it because in their circles looks do not matter?

I think if you ask every single successful/unattractive/obese person in DMV - they would ALL -100% of them - tell you that they wished they were more attractive. Some of them have a lot of potential but because they are surrounded by others who lack the basic grooming skills (showering, going to the dentist more than once a decade, shopping at someplace other than Sears) they start to slack off because there's no one to impress so why bother. But there are many attractive and successful people who exist - just not HERE, Check out NYC for instance. I think the big difference between NYC and DC is the type of intellect - science vs. finance. As a whole, scientists are a motley crew and that's usually because their parents were/are as well.

I haven't seen this at all. Go to one of the "big 3" schools or one of the top NW DC preschools. You'll see plenty of rich and very put-together, good looking people.

Anonymous wrote:I don't know....most waelthy young people I know in this area are more attractive than the average pedestrian. Especially the women. They are certainly more fit.

Until they have a baby. Then, the norm seems to be "I get to look frumpy until the youngest starts middle school." I had never seen skinny and frumpy together until I moved to MoCo. All those Bethesda moms with the awful ponytail and flats daily uniform know they can afford to look better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They take a twisted delight in forcing less powerful people to look at their ugliness. It's all part of the DMV ego stroke: "I'm a GS-15, but I have a paunch, thinning hair, and yellow teeth."

You think that the GS-15 looks ugly on purpose to make you suffer? Speaking of ego strokes.

Their underlings are forced to look at them so yeah.

I know the women involved will ruin my point but here goes: remember the umbrage and sheer jaw-dropping shock when it was reported what Sarah Palin and the Virginia Governer's wife (I already forget her name) spent money on clothes for political events? Outrage I say. $1000 for a suit from Neiman Marcus?? In Hollywood, they'd be railed for buying off the rack.

Didn't you read the unintentional status symbol thread? http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/380952.page

Highlights and make up are for the poors.

Did DMV employees make some sort of megga pay raise?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's a G-15?

A pay grade in the Federal Government. Pay range is 124k-157k. Not rich at all in this area. It's just enough to live a modest life.

I am a GS-15 WAH wife. I would not be rich on my own. DH makes 4x my salary.

If I moved- I'd do ok on my own. Not in this area.

If you were on your own, you'd be well-off. With DH, you are even richer.

A household income of about $100,000 puts you in the top 30% in the US.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's a G-15?

A pay grade in the Federal Government. Pay range is 124k-157k. Not rich at all in this area. It's just enough to live a modest life.

I am a GS-15 WAH wife. I would not be rich on my own. DH makes 4x my salary.

If I moved- I'd do ok on my own. Not in this area.

Here is a secret, if you are smart and attractive in DC you will go much farther. But please keep DC ugly so that the attractive people have an advantage.

Anonymous wrote:

Try to follow along. Nobody is talking about poor or middle class except you.

OP specifically used the word "rich". Then some bitter fed PP petulantly equated "rich" with GS15. Whatever ~$140,000 (gs15) is, it is most definitely not "rich" in this area is one is actually using facts.

In DC and Maryland, at least, the top 1% has a HHI of anywhere from $8-900,000k. Don't know what that figure is for Virginia (it's lower because va is bigger). The top 3% in DC is above $700k.

That's an interesting definition you have of "rich", there. If you're not in the 1% (or 3%) for DC/Maryland/Virginia, you're not rich? How about that.

OP, you must be speaking of a certain type of rich person. I know many wealthy locals who look like they are wealthy. Plastic surgery, Birkin bag, those shoes with the red bottoms, shop at Neimans/Saks/Saks Jandel, have much of their wardrobe custom tailored and even custom made. Kick ass car that they like to show off. They could fit in here, NY or L.A.

The D.C. political scene is much different from, oh let's say, the D.C. Jewish philanthropic scene (which I know from experience). Make up, plastic surgery and expensive clothing/accessories is the norm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's a G-15?

A pay grade in the Federal Government. Pay range is 124k-157k. Not rich at all in this area. It's just enough to live a modest life.

"A modest life" at a higher income (assuming a one-income household) than the great majority of households in the area. Only on DCUM could a household with an income of $100,000 be the poors.

Try to follow along. Nobody is talking about poor or middle class except you.

OP specifically used the word "rich". Then some bitter fed PP petulantly equated "rich" with GS15. Whatever ~$140,000 (gs15) is, it is most definitely not "rich" in this area is one is actually using facts.

In DC and Maryland, at least, the top 1% has a HHI of anywhere from $8-900,000k. Don't know what that figure is for Virginia (it's lower because va is bigger). The top 3% in DC is above $700k.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because vanity plastic surgery is shallow? Because intelligent people in non-media careers don't feel the need to go under the knife to alter their looks? Because people who have other things going for them than looks don't fight aging like people who are dependent on their looks?

OP here. I did not mean that people go under the knife to look good. I just mean to say that even plain people can look well put together by getting a great haircut and wearing clothes that flatter them. I do not mean just having access to designer clothes, shoes and handbags - that many rich people are wearing, but still managing to look not well put together.

I also do not agree with a PP assertion that being good looking is a detriment in this city. I think people can look good and still be a power player.

Agreed. I think in this town, it is almost fashionable NOT to try..

I don't know....most waelthy young people I know in this area are more attractive than the average pedestrian. Especially the women. They are certainly more fit.