quote:Originally posted by Ashphalt
Sonny, would that what you say is true. There is no "wealthy" inherent in WASP, if there were I sure wouldn't be working.
Ahhhh yes, WASP'ism isn't what it used to be
<sigh> Though the WASPs I was referring to should not be confused with people in general who happen to be white anglos who are Protestant. I meant a much more specific group.
To make my food comments a specific as possible, my comments were about only about the most traditional social/cultural group known as WASPs ... who are, by definition, traditionally wealthy.
Another description would be that they are that group known as "bluebloods" ... the privileged old-money class in America.
This traditional group known as WASPs can be described as ... White Anglo Saxon Protestant, wealthy and specifically old money, often living on estates and/or historic homes, often inherited wealth, often very aware of their ancestors going back more than a hundred years (not infrequently have paintings or photos of them that they are thrilled to show you if you have any interest at all); involved with activities often involving animals; pets, hunt clubs (based on the tradition of fox hunting), English riding etc, often tend to "little food in the 'fridge" as I mentioned ... certain ways of dress, very specific social activities very often only with others who are also part of that group ... and very, very "tribal", that is, actual traditional WASP society tends to be a very very closed society.
It was explained to me that they readily evaluate others as either "in" or "out"; a WASP or NOT ... with NO in between (but would not confront someone as such because they also fancy themselves as some of the most polite people in society as well).
That there is no "in between" was explained to me when a female family member of mine in New York (we are of Italian descent) married into a WASP family ... she considers herself part of that culture now, but she readily admits that she can not actually be one of "them" (according to what she says anyway).
I must say though, they were exceptionally welcoming to us as extended "family members" ... they were really interesting to talk to (reminded me almost a bit like talking to a docent in a museum) and, at least her husbands family, very aware of their specific culture.
I must say, I found the whole visit fascinating.
When we arrived the first thing we saw is that they had an enormous jug of wine in a holder strapped to the front gate at the enterance to their driveway, that anyone could walk up to and drink.
It was hung upside-down with a valve so that all you had to do was put your glass up to it to fill it with wine.
What I found out was that it was a traditional form of hospitality for riders out fox-hunting. The idea is that they just ride right up and help themselves (though we didn't see any riders while we where there ... we did walk out and sample the wine for a bit
).