Bourgeois is the New Black

     With name dropping and keeping up with the Joneses at an all time high, it's a wonder we all don't reinvent ourselves Gatsby style and forget who we really are. For some people, who you are isn't enough. At least, in the head of the person in question.
  
      I have a co-worker, whom I'll call Jocelyn, who epitomizes the phrase "delusions of grandeur". She once remarked to myself and another co-worker that her husband's money paid all of her household's bills. Her money was as she put it, "play money". However, a week later while gossiping in the break room, she peeked around corners, hoping to not spot our general manager. She then told the co-worker with whom she was gossiping that she "needed this job". Contradictory? I'd say so. This same co-worker grew up in a small suburb outside of my town. This town is unapologetically nouveau riche. What is most insufferable, is the fact that it tries desperately to pass it self off as having the patrician lineage of say Greenwich, CT.

      I have never been the name dropping sort. Part of me has always feared that the person whose name I dropped would be behind me at a party and announce to everyone that they never knew me. I'd like to sidestep that kind of embarrassment. This feeling of dread doesn't stop my co-worker. Once at a company picnic, I overheard her say that she knew a gentleman who even though already wealthy, had married into one of my town's most prominent families. A family whose philanthropic efforts can be seen through our downtown and the accredited community college named for them. Jocelyn said that she'd met him on a boat the previous summer and he was a "doofus".
  
       I applied for a job with the philanthropic arm of the foundation founded by said prominent family's late matriach. It was a part time position for administrative assistant. Much more lucrative than my current position as a receptionist. When I had originally mentioned to Jocelyn and another co-worker, Karen, that I applied for the job, it was met with mixed reviews. Karen was excited for me, while Jocelyn was dismissive. She said that there was no way that she would take a part time position, even though it was 30 hours a week. So, you'll imagine my surprise when I was called for an interview. When I had mentioned to Karen that I'd gotten an interview, Jocelyn overheard and said, "I should have applied for that job." Her attitude towards me from then on seemed to be,"Why you and not me?"

     In May of last year, the local chapter of the Junior League sponsored a table for children's nutrition at a popular town race for children. We had pamphlets, healthy snacks, and coloring sheets. It was a great event with a good turn out. That following Monday, Jocelyn stopped by my desk to ask how my weekend was. I told her it was good and that I had volunteered at a table during the children's race. When she asked which organization  I volunteered with, I froze. I didn't want to tell her. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of anything, so I told her it was with the Junior League. Why did I do that? She launched into a speech about how various members had invited her to join and how she really should stop putting it off. A pit formed in my stomach. I volunteered because I missed to community involvement from my college days and the women I'd met were pretty amazing. For her, it's just a feather in her cap and reason to rub shoulders with some of the well heeled in town. Luckily, it has been all talk so far.



     At the end of the day, it doesn't make sense to pretend to be something or someone that you aren't. When the facade cracks or fades, you're left with what is underneath.