What is a "Northshore Nancy"?

[Milwaukee City]

Originally Posted by MassVt

It's mildly amusing to think that Milwaukee, of all places, has a caste system..

Even prison systems have a caste system

[Empidonax]

River Hills also has a few North Shore Nancys, and it could be argued that some NSNs live on the East Side in the Downer Avenue area and North Point / Water Tower neighborhood. Like others have said, I tend to think of NSN as prissy and snobbish--they shop at the boutiques on Silver Spring and Mequon Rd., have lunch at places like Cafe 1505 and NSB, and shop for groceries at Sendiks (with trips to Larry's Market for specialty items). There are NSNs who have jobs (realtors and such), but many are more occupied with volunteer positions (at the Art Museum, MPM, etc.). Some disdain and fear the city of Milwaukee, but others love the culture and occasionally make trips to places like Watt's Tea Room and Lake Park Bistro. They tend to be conservative in taste and fashion--their clothing is generally preppy and food preferences are things like grilled cheese sandwiches, Cobb salad, and the like. Once in a while the more adventurous of them will go to a Thai restaurant, but will only order Pad Thai or something like that. (Look at the restaurant and retail selection in the North Shore-- it's pretty bland overall.) Not all NSNs are particularly rich, but all are in established white collar professional households. NSNs can be politically conservative: Alberta Darling strikes me as a NSN. But they can also be moderate or liberal--these NSNs often listen to NPR. There are indeed some younger NSNs, but NSNs tend to have a certain gravity and severity that points to middle age and older. Also, we're talking about the North Shore here--many NSNs are of Anglo and German background, but others are of Jewish, Eastern European, etc. background. It's possible that "Sue" Sachdeva, now in prison for embezzling money at Koss, was an NSN.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by Empidonax

River Hills also has a few North Shore Nancys, and it could be argued that some NSNs live on the East Side in the Downer Avenue area and North Point / Water Tower neighborhood. Like others have said, I tend to think of NSN as prissy and snobbish--they shop at the boutiques on Silver Spring and Mequon Rd., have lunch at places like Cafe 1505 and NSB, and shop for groceries at Sendiks (with trips to Larry's Market for specialty items). There are NSNs who have jobs (realtors and such), but many are more occupied with volunteer positions (at the Art Museum, MPM, etc.). Some disdain and fear the city of Milwaukee, but others love the culture and occasionally make trips to places like Watt's Tea Room and Lake Park Bistro. They tend to be conservative in taste and fashion--their clothing is generally preppy and food preferences are things like grilled cheese sandwiches, Cobb salad, and the like. Once in a while the more adventurous of them will go to a Thai restaurant, but will only order Pad Thai or something like that. (Look at the restaurant and retail selection in the North Shore-- it's pretty bland overall.) Not all NSNs are particularly rich, but all are in established white collar professional households. NSNs can be politically conservative: Alberta Darling strikes me as a NSN. But they can also be moderate or liberal--these NSNs often listen to NPR. There are indeed some younger NSNs, but NSNs tend to have a certain gravity and severity that points to middle age and older. Also, we're talking about the North Shore here--many NSNs are of Anglo and German background, but others are of Jewish, Eastern European, etc. background. It's possible that "Sue" Sachdeva, now in prison for embezzling money at Koss, was an NSN.

Grilled cheese sandwiches and Cobb salad ? That's some exotic eating!

[Meemur]

Originally Posted by MassVt

Grilled cheese sandwiches and Cobb salad ? That's some exotic eating!

Hey, that's what I'm having for lunch!

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

Is a north shore Nancy an older lady? or can it apply to a woman in her 20's or 30's?

In terms of age, probably mid thirties or greater. I grew up among them, so I'll try to give you some context.

Regardless of the somewhat negative connotation attached to the term North Shore Nancy, becoming one takes some time. A North Shore Nancy is a highly educated, well read, well off, elegant, established woman married to (or maybe divorced from) a man of similar background and means. She would never refer to herself or other women as a North Shore Nancy, even though she might be familiar with the term. And she is something of a snob, although not the type of snob that a poor woman might aspire to become; a North Shore Nancy's version of snobbery is what I refer to as "hostile elegance".

The distinction is also not one that can be purchased. A North Shore Nancy does not come from blue collar roots (or if she does, she buries them and never lets them surface), and likely grew up in a similarly affluent, college educated family. While it does require substantial finances for a woman to become a habitué of weekday lunches at the Town Club, money alone isn't enough to become a true North Shore Nancy. It's more than just driving a Volvo XC90 and wearing expensive clothing. They should never be confused with the affluent white trash seen on shows like "Real Housewives of [wherever]".

[MassVt]

It's the same thing as the Boston Brahmins complaining about the nouveau-riche. It's the difference between old money and new high-tech wealth, or the stereotypical glad-handing sales types. Neither is very sympathetic..

[synchronicity]

Originally Posted by MassVt

It's the same thing as the Boston Brahmins complaining about the nouveau-riche. It's the difference between old money and new high-tech wealth, or the stereotypical glad-handing sales types. Neither is very sympathetic..

Yup, down in Dallas it would be the "Park Cities" wives (generally old money) compared to the ones out in the affluent burbs. Although "wealth" usually plays a part ("ladies who lunch" and all), as noted it's also family background and upbringing and schools and social networks and all that. Chicago (where I've lived most of my life) would be North Shore vs. other areas.

It's the same "type", just different names and different locales in different cities.

[cheese plate]

Originally Posted by cheese plate

Why? It's the most segregated metro in America.

.

[Milwaukee City]

When I think of a North Shore Nancy I think of the upper east side woman in the 25th hour rant by Edward Norton

North Shore Nancy at 2:19


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgL_5QcZCMo