I returned to Paris last week and was lucky enough to catch up briefly with another American expat. He and I are about the same age and our backgrounds are similar, so conversation flowed easily. One topic we discussed was inflation was inflation: how it impacts people in different ways, depending upon their age and … More Inflation…and What We Remember
We are often told about the importance of making a good first impression. It is wise advice because it is timeless and often accurate: make a good first impression, and odds are you have a good chance to experience a productive social, personal, or professional relationship with the other party. Make a bad first impression … More The Last Impression
Part of Old Money culture is the preservation of certain traditions: dressing appropriately, reading voraciously, working diligently, and spending carefully. Etiquette and manners of course fall into this group of top-shelf priorities. Within this category, I have to mention the dying art of sending the Thank You note. To be clear: emails do not cut … More A Tradition Worth Preserving
After reading the recent news about protests against Elon Musk and his role in the Trump Administration, I felt troubled. Of course, people have a right to voice their opposition to the South African’s unelected role in American government, considering his companies’ numerous federal contracts. Conflicts of interest are inherent and obvious in this case. … More A War We Don’t Need
Conservative columnist David Brooks gave a remarkable 15 minute speech recently. While I don’t often agree with his political views, I found it a clarion call for our nation and our world. Enjoy it. Share it. BGT
One of the members of our tribe, JT, asked about the all-black wardrobe after my post on Old Money and Inflation. Even though I’ve discussed the all-black or mostly black wardrobe in previous posts (living in Paris, it was inevitable), I thought that the question warranted another post. My thinking is this: if you can … More Black in the Closet
Thanks to David, our valued foreign correspondent and long time Member of the Tribe, we have the following article on the intersection of class and diet. I can relate to the author’s sentiments for several reasons: I opt for a plant-based diet, as he does; I do view much of the world and its behaviors … More A Divide in Diet
THE FOUNDATION “Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.” —Samuel Adams (1749)
In this digital age in which technology rapidly impacts our lives–for better or worse–it’s important to be conscious of our traditions and our decisions to hold onto them, allow them to evolve, or to let them go and fully embrace change. I think technology is an accelerator, especially as it relates to the internet: it … More At Odds With Tradition and Change
Greetings, Tribe. I hope the C&C Challenge is going well. The comments have been absolutely hysterically funny, making me think that abstaining from Complaining and Criticizing has been just as daunting a task for others as it has been for me. Good. Misery loves company. Seriously, it’s been a huge benefit to me to adopt … More Does The Boarding School Experience Breed Minimalists?