Tag: WASP

Old Money vs. New Money: The Perspective

April 28, 2021

About a month ago, I had a long distance conversation with an acquaintance who was curious to know–among many other things–the ‘one thing’ that Old Money has that New Money doesn’t. I had to think for a long moment. So long, in fact, that the person I was speaking to thought the phone call had … More Old Money vs. New Money: The Perspective

Old Money vs. New Money – The Attitude

April 14, 2021

One of the most important behavioral markers for Old Money individuals and families is their attitude…or lack thereof. Old Money is many times noticed by what it is not: loud, arrogant, obnoxious, or  condescending, to name just a few. The logical reasons for such behavior are obvious but worth noting. First, when you’ve come from … More Old Money vs. New Money – The Attitude

The Sabbatical

March 27, 2021

I wanted to address an issue that’s come up a couple of times in the past few months among a couple of colleagues of mine. It’s an Old Money concept called The Sabbatical. The best off-the-cuff definition I can give is that it’s a voluntary break from the normal routine, usually involving a retreat from … More The Sabbatical

Comments, Cancel Culture, and The Pull of Values

March 15, 2021

Comments I’d like to say a big Thank You to everyone who commented on ‘The Moderates’ blog post. The thoughtful, detailed, and articulate insights are greatly appreciated. It helps me learn more and exposes all of our readers to different points of view. With all due modesty, I must say that we are so superior … More Comments, Cancel Culture, and The Pull of Values

Frame of Reference

February 14, 2021

During this challenging and disruptive time, I think it’s important for all of us to revisit and perhaps reestablish what I call our ‘frame of reference’. This frame of reference is a constellation of ‘points of reference’ that consists of the people, institutions, and barometers that we turn to in order to weigh, measure, define, … More Frame of Reference

The Last Brahmin (Well, We Hope Not)

January 24, 2021

“And this is good old Boston, The home of the bean and the cod, Where the Lowells talk only to Cabots, And the Cabots talk only to God.” Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., of Boston served his country for most of his life. According to family and friends, he really didn’t have a choice. His ancestors … More The Last Brahmin (Well, We Hope Not)

The Refresher: From Susan Cheever

November 30, 2020

Reprinted from Newsweek magazine…August 2012.   How Modern Preppies Got the Style But Forgot the Values BY SUSAN CHEEVER ON 8/6/12 AT 1:00 AM EDT Oprah Winfrey may give away millions, but titans with a conscience have been on the wane since John D. Rockefeller’s day.CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: BETTMANN-CORBIS; STEPANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP-GETTY IMAGES; … More The Refresher: From Susan Cheever

Responding To Your Comments

September 15, 2020

Greetings from Paris. I feel like one of the swans who glide up and down our section of the Seine here. They look so nonchalant and at ease. Beneath the surface of the water, however, they are paddling like mad. Such is the case for me right now, as we have several projects in the … More Responding To Your Comments

Trust Me, We’ll Have Funds

August 10, 2020

Maurice, one of our community’s longtime members, asked a question recently about the role of trust funds. Of course, the term is probably one of the first things most people think about when they hear the term ‘Old Money’, with a list running something like: preppy, trust fund, Volvo, Nantucket, gin and tonic, cardigan and … More Trust Me, We’ll Have Funds