Overheard Again 'she looks like she has money' ~ discuss - YouLookFab Forum

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Overheard Again 'she looks like she has money' ~ discuss

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Once again this comment has reared it's head leaving me a little confused, not difficult at times but I digress, this time I was heading back to the office after popping into a local shop for a pint of milk. I am wearing an old but nice Gap dress, cream ballet flats, a faux sheepskin vest and a black pu handbag, I overheard a young man say 'she looks like she has money' to his friend before shouting MONEY really loudly in the middle of the street. I was the only other person around so definitely the intended recipient. I just smiled and made my merry way.

I am now back at work with my afternoon cuppa contemplating this comment; was it a simple observation? Was it a compliment or an insult? Was I at risk of being mugged? Does MONEY have a look? Why have I been told I look like I have MONEY on numerous occasions?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject, how would you react and what do you think this comment implies?

General

38 replies

Latest reply was from rute

anne

Veteran

OOh, no idea!! Is this an English thing perhaps?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

It may be Anne, in Britain the class system is still referenced on a regular basis but I am far from posh!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have never heard of this before. Too weird! Yeah, it might make me feel a little uncomfortable, I think.

I can't recall where you live -- maybe this is a regional thing? I've never heard anyone loudly proclaiming someone else looks like they have money, but where i live (close proximity to Washington DC), you'd be shouting all day long if that were your thing.

Anonymous

I would probably take it as a compliment --- that your outfit looks stylish and well put together is often equated with people as that it must have cost a lot of money to achieve that look.

I would say money is equated with an essential 'classiness' --- I can think of many clothes which cost a lot of money, but when one wears them, they certainly don't look that way.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

You are a tall, gorgeous woman who is well dressed (as in "put together" and not sloppy) and I think to some that automatically translates into upper class. I also think maybe some people assume money when someone is wearing items that are very fashionable - you would have had to purchase them recently, therefore you would needed money, etc. - that sort of thinking?

I'm interested to see what others think here.

anne

Veteran

Just realised I said English instead of British. And wanted to add that the comment would definitely make me uncomfortable.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I live in a semi rural area just south of Edinburgh Scotland. Shannon, that is lovely thing to say!

Just totted up the actual cost of my outfit
Dress - £25.00 sale purchase
Shoes - £10.00 sale purchase
Vest - £55.00 gift from my dad
Bag - unknown gift from my Mother in Law.

My hair is professionally highlighted, I'm wearing light make-up and no jewellery.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Well I think it's just because you're GORGEOUS and they didn't know what else to say!!!

marianna

Veteran

I'm sure you looked stunning and statuesque and extremely well dressed -- thus their comment. A weird comment nonetheless, but I would take it as a compliment!

Anonymous

Weird comment, and I personally don't appreciate cat calls like that. Still, I'd take it as a compliment and not give it another thought. They probably meant you look fashionable, which some people seem to think takes lots of money to do.

Chippy Mia

I agree with Ruth. I don't like cat calls and think it is very rude for anyone to be saying such things. I think your reaction to them is fine. Just smile and move on. If this were to take place at night or in a deserted street, I would be worry.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love what Shannon and Marianna said. I would totally take it as a compliment! It's wasted energy thinking of it otherwise, Jules Unfortunately the classist system is still very alive in Britain - good thing you look like gorgeous aristocracy !

People can be rude and not mind their own business. I love how your reaction to the situation was lady-like. You took the high road. Soooo Jules!

sarah

Veteran

I agree that it must have something to do with entrenched class awareness in Britain. I run into that frequently with my British MIL. I would brush it off and enjoy the fact that you are turning heads : )

Diana

Veteran

What an odd comment! I'd take it as a compliment.

Here in New England that type of comment could be either a compliment or an insult depending on what type of money (old vs. new) is being referred to. "Old money" dressing is like kind of restrained but obviously expensive, well-tailored, no obvious logos, quite preppy etc. (like the Kennedys). "New money" is flashier, trendier, with lots of obvious logos. I'm not either, so it's never been said about me!

And I'll leave you with my favorite graffiti quote ever (on a building at an Ivy League college): "New money sux. Get out of my yaht [sic] club."

ironkurtin

Veteran

I say take a compliment where you can. Assume positive intent!

cciele

Veteran

Yes, take it as a compliment. I bet you looked very classy

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Thank you so much, I was feeling rather grumpy this afternoon but you have put a very large smile on my face.

(Plus Teah is sporting a gold medal from her first sportsday which means I am now brimming with pride).

The class system in the UK is ridiculous, a baby should not be born with imposed class limits, the world should be theirs for the taking.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Contrary to most of the comments, this actually is something I hear from time to time. From what you said, it sounds like maybe this person has a certain bitterness toward people with more money than him?

Regardless of how much money you do or do not have, I would take it as a compliment in that he obviously noticed how put together you were. His emotions about it are his own and have no bearing.

FWIW, I a coworker once told me that, before getting to know me, he thought I was a stuck-up Orange County brat... the implications there being money-related as well. I was just as confused as you were, since I grew up thrifting. :T

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, I think that is very odd, for someone to yell "MONEY" after you. I mean, overhearing is one thing... Bit scary actually. Were these boys the spinning-hub-cap type of boys?

I do think it a very interesting comment and have no idea what it means. I know what it means to SOUND posh. But to LOOK like MONEY. No idea at all. I have a feeling it doesn't quite mean what it might once have. Like it might be more "you look like a million bucks" than "you look like you have your foot on the neck of the little people."

christieanne

Veteran

It may just be some new slang term referencing a popular song? I confess that I can't keep up with all of that. I would assume it's not threatening. And also we have to remember that others don't have the "deal seeking" abilities of many YLF'ers. If you have a well put together, stylish and yes quite possibly "posh" outfit on but paid little for it, no one would be the wiser.

Be proud of Teah - that is a nice achievement to celebrate.

Meredith1953

Veteran

It is an odd comment indeed. It would seem to be a compliment to your beauty on the surface but also to have an underlying bitterness or envy. Very unsettling. Reminds me of the line from Dire Straits "Money for Nothing and Your Chicks for Free". That sort of bitterness. Fortunately you responded in the perfect manner.

Jonesy

Veteran

It's interesting and I would feel disconcerted, for sure. Seems like it has to be understood in context: smallish, semi-rural town, diminished prospects for some younger folks due to worldwide economic crisis, heightened class consciousness in your part of the world...? Were they smiling and checking you out, or sort of grimacing and judgmental? I would evaluate whether or not it was meant as complimentary based on those sorts of things...At any rate, it doesn't seem *personal* in the sense that they were angry at you, more like what you represent to them (whether or not it's an accurate representation).

The rural piece is interesting. I grew up in a rural area in the US, and there is definitely an enforced conformity and a judging of someone who has "gotten too big for her britches" or is "putting on airs." Maybe there is some of that going on too--not saying, of course, that you are actually "putting on airs," just that anything remotely outside the narrow definition of what is expected is judged harshly.

Kudos to Teah and her proud mama!!!!

Isabel

Veteran

This is a fascinating concept to me. It happens a lot in area where I live. There is definitely a "money" look ( in my region, it is polos usually in pastels, plaid pants or shorts in pastels, Pandora bracelets, diamond earrings - it is considered very upscale "Cape Cod" . ) In Boston, it is very different. I don't know why some people need to identify others that way. Hmmmmmm.......I don't think you are in danger because it would be really stupid of him to yell it out while targeting you. It was also during the day. He obviously has his reasons, but we will never know.

celia

Veteran

Bravo Teah!!

That comment would make perfect sense in Portugal.It would mean that you look polished and well dressed.It would be totally backbitting if it came from women.
Coming from young men it probably meant you looked gorgeous .As you do.

Patty

Veteran

From what I see and read from you here I take you as a natural polished and elegant woman and I can see a less sophisticated person equating this look as having money to look that way (also to impress his pal--watch me get that lady's attention). You handled yourself with grace but can understand your grumpiness.

Traci

Veteran

Might they have been looking for a handout?

san

Veteran

They were very young men right? Sometimes young people do things that don't make sense. Has this happened to you before? From the sound of yor post it seems that this has happened before.
Yea for Teah!! I'm so proud.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I suspect it's a regional thing, and I also think that you look very elegant and polished - and that this combination of things is probably what prompted the comments.

I would take it as a compliment, although I would feel also feel a bit awkward. Then again, I'd feel awkward at any kind of comment on the street.

It's your elegance and polish!

Isabel

Veteran

YAYYYYYYY to Teah and congratulations to the proud parents. You should be proud !

I think that there are class systems everywhere. A child born into a "monied" family here ( even if it is just perceived ) has many more doors open to them. I find it silly that people here in the Northeast still track themselves back to the Pilgrims or English royalty or to people who established colleges. I recently heard a woman talking about how superbly "bred" her grandchildren were and then she mentioned that they were directly descended from John Harvard.....sometimes I just want to giggle. Being the daughter of poor farmers myself, my parents loved their "well bred" horses and pigs !!! LOL ! No elucidation from me.

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