How high is the snob factor/keeping up with the Joneses in NOVA? (dorm, high school)

[normie]

Originally Posted by IndiaLimaDelta

Most of us upper to upper-middle income NoVA residents will find quite a bit in common with the descriptions and we will laugh at ourselves.

It's great that you found an author that you, personally, find amusing. But.... that's your opinion and maybe the opinion of your immediate circle of friends. It's kind of presumptuous to speak on behalf of "most upper to upper-middle income NoVA residents" dontcha think?

I know a lot of the monied people here in Loudoun, since I owned a business here for several decades. I've been active in local politics, schools, volunteer groups, soccer teams, and the Chamber. You meet a lot of people that way. I don't think people in Nova are so easy to categorize. A lot of different kinds of people have serious money here, it's a mistake to make assumptions about them.

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Originally Posted by normie

It's great that you found an author that you, personally, find amusing. But.... that's your opinion and maybe the opinion of your immediate circle of friends. It's kind of presumptuous to speak on behalf of "most upper to upper-middle income NoVA residents" dontcha think?

I know a lot of the monied people here in Loudoun, since I owned a business here for several decades. I've been active in local politics, schools, volunteer groups, soccer teams, and the Chamber. You meet a lot of people that way. I don't think people in Nova are so easy to categorize. A lot of different kinds of people have serious money here, it's a mistake to make assumptions about them.

I don't think I am the only one who found the book amusing. Or just my circle of friends. It was a national bestseller.

But I was incorrect to write "most." Perhaps "Many" would fit better.

[normie]

Originally Posted by IndiaLimaDelta

But I was incorrect to write "most." Perhaps "Many" would fit better.

Fair enough. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, and your opinion is as valid as mine. No matter what opinion you have you're bound to find plenty of people who agree. That's one of my favorite things about living here.

[normie]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

If they had gone to Ivy League schools, you would have learned about it within the first five or ten minutes of your first conversation. Like you, I don't hear much bragging about schools my friends attended or the schools their children attend -- except for the Ivy Leaguers. Maybe it's because we have more Ivy Leaguers here most places that the bragging-about-schools stereotype exists.

Maybe. It might also be a matter of age. It might be that bragging about the schools you attended is more common in your 20s (and again in your 40s when your kids are looking at schools). Or maybe I just haven't happened to get into those sorts of conversations with my neighbors. Who knows. I talk a lot about gardening, the senior center, and volunteering for the fire department--not exactly topics where stories about college days are likely to come up. Maybe that's why.

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Originally Posted by normie

Fair enough. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, and your opinion is as valid as mine.

That's a very bobo attitude! One which I don't happen to share.

BTW, regarding politics, are you LCRC-type or 10th District type?

Yes, yes, I am all into type-casting today.

[normie]

Originally Posted by IndiaLimaDelta

Yes, yes, I am all into type-casting today.

Sorry, but since you insist on being into type casting, and I've already made my opinion on that clear, I have no use for continuing this conversation. See ya.

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Originally Posted by normie

Maybe. It might also be a matter of age. It might be that bragging about the schools you attended is more common in your 20s (and again in your 40s when your kids are looking at schools). Or maybe I just haven't happened to get into those sorts of conversations with my neighbors. Who knows. I talk a lot about gardening, the senior center, and volunteering for the fire department--not exactly topics where stories about college days are likely to come up. Maybe that's why.

Agree wholeheartedly. My neighbors and I talk about dogs, kids, politics, local schools, economy, yards, etc. I only know about their schooling because my wife and I organize an annual block party and got to know them very well. However, I doubt that most know where my wife and I went to school (one neighboring couple knows, but only because they are godparents for a child of ours).

I have a couple of acquaintances in NoVA who attended the same university I did and I didn't know that until I got to know them well!

I really don't think people who attended elite universities bring up their education in 10 minutes... except perhaps, as you pointed out, those who graduated recently.

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Originally Posted by normie

Sorry, but since you insist on being into type casting, and I've already made my opinion on that clear, I have no use for continuing this conversation. See ya.

It was half in jest, but o---kay. Goodbye.

[Margery]

This is my guide for learning the proper way to behave and think, I recommend it highly Stuff White People Like. That way we all can be sure we will be accepted in polite society whether boho or bobo.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by IndiaLimaDelta

Now that you've have been "found out" about not understanding the term, you "re-frame" the conversation to avoid the fact that you didn't understand the term. Tell me, exactly what spelling should "bobo" have? Apparently, saying "I am a bobo from NoVA" was going to garner laughter of derision. Admit it -- you confused "bobo" with "boho," didn't you? Seems to fit your assertion that they only exist in NYC, SanFran, etc. (prime Boho-chic territory). BTW, David Brooks lives in metro DC (Bethesda, I believe, and is a proudly self-declared Bobo living amongst Bobos)..

Actually Normie's interpretation of what I said was spot on. Suggest you go back and re-read it. I don't use the term "boho" so would hardly have confused the two. I believe that was a Tom Wolfe label from the 70s that I've not heard in years and had frankly forgotten. However, thank you for reminding me of him. Perhaps I'll need to go back and re-read my "Electric Kool Aid Acid Test". He was 100 times funnier and more perceptive than Brooks.