Noveau-Riche Detector

 

There are several ways of becoming nouveau riche. One way of becoming one is by winning the lotto ... or marrying a rich DOM or MMMM (Matandang Mayaman Madaling Mamatay) ... striking oil in your orchard ... marrying a billionaire ... or just being successful in your chosen field as you seek greener pastures abroad.

In sociology, nouveau riche refers to somebody who has risen economically and socially but lacks the social skills for his new position.  He previously belonged to a lower economic bracket ... and the money he enjoyed at the moment - made him like a social butterfly as he wanted to enter the sanctum of the elites and the vieux riche. His propensity for consumption of luxuries on a lavish scale makes one jaw drop... and his showy expenditures are signals he likes to believe he is now the new member of the rich and the famous.

It is easy to spot a nouveau riche in our midst. The old riche is refined and dignified ... but the new riche - they're transitioning from the have-nots to most definitely have ... is less polished ... as if almost on the brink of vulgarity. Watch and learn.

1. They are always on the prowl to find designer brands - from clothes, shoes, and bags. Generic brands are a big no-no.

2. They namedropped a lot - they usually use names of who's who in the eliteville - politicians, celebrities, and the like.

3.  They want to look flashy and flamboyant.  Fashionable and noticeable ... but tacky and somewhat vulgar sort of way.

4. They want to be called a jet-setter and known for their traveling. They frequent Hongkong or Thailand ...

5. They always bragged about their connections - be it military or business, media or showbiz.

6. They want everything expensive and anything showy - Rolls Royce, Mercedes, and Lamborghini as status symbols.

7. Their idea of jewelry is that it has to be large, dangling with the ability to impress.

8.  They have a bevy of maids and bodyguards.

9. Branded items lord the day - Dolce and Gabbana, Louis Vitton, Gucci, Versace, Michael Kors, 

10. Their houses are a frenzied hodgepodge of expensive landscaping, some resemble a palace with Ionic columns. The house is gated and a dancing fountain is prominently placed near the giant gazebo enough to house 2 families.

All in all the nouveau riched doesn't have any appreciation and understanding of the word aesthetic. They are clueless about what is good or poor taste.  All they care about is bragging about their wealth.  

I could almost hear them saying: "To hell with those that critique our choices.  They are just envious. Whether what you see in our house is in good taste or not ... nobody can fault us if we want a swimming pool, a fountain, statues, columns or lion sculptures."