Sick of the upper class bashing

[Chuck S]

I haven't seen anyone "bashing the upper class" in general. Everyone is entitled to live in whatever style of house, or drive whatever type of car that they can afford.

However, when we see the likes of Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, and other "celebs du jour" who are, by financial standards "upper class" acting like a bunch of absolute idiots AND for the most part paying no penalties comparable to what the average middle class/lower class person pays...they bring the bashing upon themselves.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

and those who have failed to plan for every conceivable financial problem that might ever come up in anyone's life.

From what I've seen, people who have reached what would be considered upper class have done it by a combination of hard work and some fortunate circumstances. You've got to work hard to get that education and keep that good job, but more often than not there was some good luck that helped you along the way. Being born in the right circumstances, being in the right place at the right time, meeting the right folks to network with...all that stuff comes into play.

I think what disturbs a lot of people here is that once some folks reach that upper class-they lose the capacity to say "There but for the Grace of God go I".

Your post sums up how I feel too.

Also, I think the Dis is equal opportunity when it comes to bashing, no one is safe.

 

[Acklander]

Well, the "McMansion" thing - I always thought that was just a slang word - sort of like "Yuppie". I've seen McMansions referred to that way in the press when they're talking about a very large house on a small lot so when using that term here (which I don't recall using here, but I could have - either way, I've never thought of it as a put down, just a description) , its just so people know what I'm referring to. I think every "class" has it's share of bashing and supporters. I think the ones that get it the worst are the people who have credit card debt. Even if someone just uses a credit card it seems they always feel like they have to explain that they're just using it for the miles, or disney points or whatever -and that they ALWAYS pay it off in full at the end of the month. Very defensive, KWIM? Personally, I could give a crap if anyone else has credit card debt. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Such is life.

 

[daisax]

Anyway, what I think I am trying to say is that people refer to people homes as McMansions and they drive such and such car.....it is all said with such distaste and I cannot understand it.

I will defend to the death my right to make fun of people with no taste. Money doesn't buy class, and there are some nouveau riche who like to show off their status by flaunting expensive but ultimately cheap objects, like McMansions and Humvees and Thomas Kincaid "art." Their goal is to impress, but it's kind of pathetic -- doubly so if they really can't afford the price tag of the life they're so anxious that everybody think they live.

I can't afford a McMansion, but count me among those who wouldn't buy one if I COULD -- cheap flimsy mass market construction. Sure it's got a huge footprint, especially if built on the stereotypical postage stamp lot, but I'd take a smaller well made house on more land.

I grew up in New England -- the people who are richer than God aren't driving $100,000 red italian sports cars and parking in 4 car garages. They've got volvos in the driveway, furniture from great grandma and a zillion dollars in the bank.

 

[connorlevismom]

Actually I do live in a nice (modest) house and drive a nice (modest) car. There are some things about both that I would change, but even if I had all the money in the world, I'd never buy a gas guzzling SUV or a McMansion.

And anyway, the people who do have those things aren't necessarily "upper class." Lots of people own things they can't really afford.

This is exactly what I am talking about. So you would not buy those things. But why call it a McMansion? What is that? It gives off the impression that those types of people are wrong or they live in a home they cannot afford. How do you know that? Do you drive by the "McMansions" and automatically think those things?

 

[Squirlz]

I define McMansion as a large, pretentious house built cheaply and purchased by people living way beyond their means with a huge balloon payment coming up and one missed paycheck away from bankruptcy. Not "upper class" at all.

 

[connorlevismom]

I will defend to the death my right to make fun of people with no taste. Money doesn't buy class, and there are some nouveau riche who like to show off their status by flaunting expensive but ultimately cheap objects, like McMansions and Humvees and Thomas Kincaid "art." Their goal is to impress, but it's kind of pathetic -- doubly so if they really can't afford the price tag of the life they're so anxious that everybody think they live.

I can't afford a McMansion, but count me among those who wouldn't buy one if I COULD -- cheap flimsy mass market construction. Sure it's got a huge footprint, especially if built on the stereotypical postage stamp lot, but I'd take a smaller well made house on more land.

I grew up in New England -- the people who are richer than God aren't driving $100,000 red italian sports cars and parking in 4 car garages. They've got volvos in the driveway, furniture from great grandma and a zillion dollars in the bank.

I rest my point. This is the exact thing I am talking about.

What if they are actually buying those thing because THEY like them and THEY want them? Ever thought of that? Not everyone who drives nice cars, lives in nice homes, and has nice art does it to show off.

 

[CheshireVal]

This is exactly what I am talking about. So you would not buy those things. But why call it a McMansion? What is that? It gives off the impression that those types of people are wrong or they live in a home they cannot afford. How do you know that? Do you drive by the "McMansions" and automatically think those things?

I think McMansions are tacky. I have relatives and friends who live in them, but I still think they're tacky. My house cost about a quarter of what many McMannys do but I have more land.

However, just because I think the houses are silly doesn't mean I'm bashing the "upper class."

The people who live in those houses aren't who I'd consider upper class anyway. It's pretty middle class to me these days.

 

[connorlevismom]

I define McMansion as a large, pretentious house built cheaply and purchased by people living way beyond their means with a huge balloon payment coming up and one missed paycheck away from bankruptcy. Not "upper class" at all.

Ok, so do you know who lives in that house? Maybe they CAN afford to live in those homes.

Believe it or not, there are people who have the money to buy those things.

 

[clarabelle]

Since my house is big and on a small lot in a subdivision I guess it is a McMansion. I love my house though. We can afford it with no problems.

 

[daisax]

Putting "Mc" before anything simply means "mass produced" (as in McDonalds hamburgers). They're not quality, there are a lot of them, and they're pretty much all alike -- enormous rooms, small lots, shoddy construction, etc.

 

[KikiFan]

as McMansions and they drive such and such car.....it is all said with such distaste and I cannot understand it.

I personally haven't seen a lot of bashing of the wealthy here. But I do use the term "McMansion" frequently and I don't apologize for it.

A McMansion doesn't refer to any large high dollar house. It's used specifically to identify a large ostentatious house that is crammed into a neighborhood where those homes are out of place.

For example the home next to me, a lovely 1000 sq ft two bedroom built in 1890 was torn down and replaced with a 5000 sq ft monstrosity. Where I used to look out on a beautiful garden with squirrels playing in 100 year old trees, I now see brick walls barely 5 feet from my home.

McMansion has nothing to do with bashing people because of their economic status but because of a lack of concern for the aesthetics and sensibility of the neighborhood. I moved into this neighborhood specifically because I loved all the old homes with unique designs and personality. If I wanted to live next to large homes that all looked exactly alike, I would have moved out to north Dallas.

Sorry to rant myself. But this is one subject that hits kinda close to home.

 

[shirleyb]

I define McMansion as one of those large, cookie cutter type houses. Not at all a mansion or a house I would drive by and say, "Oh, I would love that!"

Like USA Today is McPaper, that is how I view the McMansions.

Like another poster said, if I could afford it, I'd have 15 or 20 acres of land, with a lot of privacy instead of a McMansion any day of the week, but I really make no judgments upon those who live there, other than that's not my cup of tea.

 

[Squirlz]

Ok, so do you know who lives in that house? Maybe they CAN afford to live in those homes.

Believe it or not, there are people who have the money to buy those things.

Yes, I do. How else would there be any basis to say that?

 

[Philagoofy]

I will defend to the death my right to make fun of people with no taste. Money doesn't buy class, and there are some nouveau riche who like to show off their status by flaunting expensive but ultimately cheap objects, like McMansions and Humvees and Thomas Kincaid "art." Their goal is to impress, but it's kind of pathetic -- doubly so if they really can't afford the price tag of the life they're so anxious that everybody think they live.

Gee, I like my Thomas Kincaid calendar and I'm not rich.

 

[connorlevismom]

OK - I now understand that Mc = cookie cutter. I was not sure what that meant. Thanks for the clarification.

But that still does not mean that whomever lives there cannot afford it.

 

[daisax]

What if they are actually buying those thing because THEY like them and THEY want them? Ever thought of that? Not everyone who drives nice cars, lives in nice homes, and has nice art does it to show off

I think you're missing the point, which is that many of us don't consider them "nice." Strictly an opinion (although I think someone who wanted to could certainly make a very strong money-for-value argument.)

There are middle aged women who dress like 17 year old hoochies... THEY like the way they dress and THEY think they look fantastic. I reserve the right to make fun of them.

 

[Kewz1]

Putting "Mc" before anything simply means "mass produced" (as in McDonalds hamburgers). They're not quality, there are a lot of them, and they're pretty much all alike -- enormous rooms, small lots, shoddy construction, etc.

Ahhh. Thank you for explaining that! I was wondering what McDonalds had do with all this.

Kristen

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I will defend to the death my right to make fun of people with no taste. Money doesn't buy class, and there are some nouveau riche who like to show off their status by flaunting expensive but ultimately cheap objects, like McMansions and Humvees and Thomas Kincaid "art." Their goal is to impress

 

[coles1mom]

Gee, I like my Thomas Kincaid calendar and I'm not rich.

Me too Philagoofy~plus it's good for two years..kinda like a 2fer.

Judi