August is upon us here in Paris. A majority of the residents have fled for the coast, the mountains, or the countryside. Parisians who still remain–healthcare workers and those in hospitality–ask my wife and I where we’re going for vacation. When we reply that we’re staying in Paris, they look at us as if we … More A Few Updates from Paris and Elsewhere
Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. Malcolm Forbes
We recently received the comment below from one of our readers. I thought it was very interesting and very relevant. Here it is, and I’ve added some thoughts below. I happened on your site while doing some personal research on old money style and its contemporary applications, like the trendy of the concept of sprezzatura, … More The Application Process
I received an email the other day. The person suggested that I painted a little too rosy of a picture in regards to Old Money Guys and Gals. They pointed out that plenty of born-rich trust fund babies are obnoxious and incorrigible, racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and anti-Semitic. To which I replied, Oh, most certainly. And … More We’re Not All Nice
Stephan asked a question in the comments section a couple of weeks ago. I made a note to myself to respond and neglected to do so. My apologies, Stephan, and thank you for reminding me. Here’s Stephan’s question: Hi Byron, I have read the old money book recently and really appreciate it. I especially liked … More The Wristwatch Dilemma – An Updated Discussion
According to my nephews and nieces in the states, this question is a popular one online. So I’ll offer an answer. Fair warning…it may not be what most people expect, as I’m not going to hold forth on oxford cloth button down shirts, penny loafers, or Volvo station wagons. These things are symptomatic of an … More How To Act Like Old Money
Derrick recently posed a question in the comments section that I feel is worthy of a post, and insights from the tribe. He asks which might be a better investment: to send a child to private prep school, or to pay for their college education so they graduate debt free? The assumption is that, as … More The Price of Education: A Question for You
Last week, I decided to search for a new double-breasted blue blazer. The one I had owned in the states years ago did not make cut when it came time to relocate: it had seen years of use (abuse?) and we were traveling light. My single-breasted version would suffice. And, at any rate, I could … More The Old Money Wardrobe: Review and Rate The Classics
Living in Paris, of course I interact daily with French people, many of the Parisians. This important distinction is necessary because Parisians are French, but obviously not all French are Parisians. Parisians are a unique breed: they are separate and apart, not just from their fellow countrymen, but from anyone else on the planet. In … More The Two Sides of The Old Money Coin
A recent comment by George prompted me consider an important point about Old Money culture. He inquired about how Old Money should respond as the middle class begins to imitate its style and behaviors. My though is that there should always be an Open Door Policy. That is to say, anyone who wants to embrace … More The Open Door Policy