10 September 2011
451
R. Linda:
I never thought I'd live to see the day when someone would be embarrassed to be rich! So here it be, a friend of mine has wealthy parents who live in a 6000 square foot abode. Now, he be in his thirties and has just met the girl of his dreams (well maybe she be). He's met her parents but has put off having her meet his because . . . well because he hasn't broken it to her they have money. Gees what a problem to have, huh?
I can see it now, he stretched his hand across the table to hers, she smiling sweetly in the candlelight. He cleared his throat and said, "Honey, I have something I have to tell you." And her, leaning in looking interested, her smile encouraging, "Yes dear?" He, clearing his throat again, "Well, uh . . . well . . . I haven't told you this, but . . . my parents are wealthy and they live in a mansion."
There you go! And what would happen next? Would she shrink back and say, "OH! In that case," and up she'd get throwing her napkin on the table, upsetting the wine glasses and off she'd go slamming the door behind her. Well, that is what he thinks she'd do.
I was like WHAT? I don't know a girl who at the sound of the words, rich, wealthy, money, gold, stocks and bonds, wouldn't start to look really dreamy thinking of how many shoes she can buy and therefore, becoming INTERESTED. But me friend, no, he's afraid she'll be out that door. So here's the thing, since he was invited to dinner to meet HER parents (oh about four months ago) he has done nothing to set up a meeting for his to meet her and well, she thinks it be about time.
Now I'd be thinking more along the line she wants that engagement ring, but no, no, while that be in the back of his mind THAT isn't his main concern. No, it's on finding out the embarrassing fact he comes from money.
So get this, he's telling me this over lunch and I be listening thinking at first he be having a jape, but no, he's seriously concerned. I tried to be supportive and told him where I grew up, we all had not a whole lot but we didn't know we were poor because we all were in the same boat. BUT that there were two or three children on me street that did have a bit more and we did think THEY were rich though now I know they were just a wee bit better off, but certainly not wealthy. I said for any of us to go to one of their houses was like going to Buckingham Palace. We were all agog with being in a bigger and nicer house and loved to be invited. We weren't jealous, we were more excited than anything, and so I said I thought his girl would be too.
Well, the pressure was too much for him and so he caved to setting up a dinner with his parents. He be a smart one he be, he set it up at a restaurant far from the ancestral estate he did. All was well until SHE informed him that the night chosen wasn't good, as her daughter had a la crosse game (she has an 11-year-old from a previous marriage). So he quickly cancelled it but she was still wanting to meet the parents, so he changed it up to the following Monday night (yes, put it off as much as possible, LOL). Well, parents informed him most of the restaurants weren't open on Monday nights. Well, R. Linda, he bit the bullet when his Mam suggested they have it at the manse. Yup he did feeling very defeated he couldn't put it off and if he did dare put it off, the girlfriend would be suspicious his parents were circus performers and well . . . you get the gist.
So his Mam had planned a lovely dinner of Chicken Marsala, mashed potatoes, Greek salad, freshly baked bread with a tray of lovely pastries from a very expensive bakery.
Meanwhile, his brother goes to visit said parents and tells them to have dinner in the palatial kitchen, not the huge, grand dining room BECAUSE, if they have the dinner in the dining room, the girlfriend will think a marriage proposal be coming. Yes, he actually thought that and I believe the words were, "She'll think the meeting and dinner is more than what it is." UH OH.
Then he told them that they should not give a house tour, nor should they take the girl out to the recreation part of the house (this consists of a carriage house off the back of the house that includes: a piano room, billiard room, pub area, home theatre, mini kitchenette, hot tub room, sauna room, full bathroom, upstairs guest room, and an office.) And why? Because their younger son was afraid the girlfriend would be overwhelmed coming from such humble folks. Well, ok the Mam said, they'll not mention that part of the house exists and turn the lights out so in the dark you won't see it. And, does the older son think they should dress down? Designer jeans ok instead of upper crust dress slacks and a nice blouse (shirt) with just the right jewels (Mam) for the owners of the manor?
"Of course, we could dress your father in his old flannels he wears when hunting. I could probably wear my garden clothes, they are shabby but clean." Mam wondered aloud.
Later that night, the older son runs into his sister and tells her all this. A day later the daughter comes by and says in horrified tones, "Mom, your youngest son really wanted to come to watch Monday Night Football with the girlfriend, not have dinner. The dinner would be too formal and he wants to keep it casual!"
Oh, dear. Well, the Mam said keeping the impressive house in mind, "Problem with THAT is the only TV is the home theatre and THAT is out in the carriage house. We can turn the lights off in the main house and pretend it is a barn and try to pass the carriage house off as the main residence. Of course, she's going to wonder why we have no living room but a pub instead, but we'll just tell her we like our alcohol!" Ha ha ha! Then in deep thought and mostly talking to herself the Mam says, "I'll have to get chips and dip and if they want dinner we can dummy it down to pizza, I guess. OH, the pastries! I've prepaid for those and it's too late to cancel. Well, I could put them out if anyone wants some with coffee." Sigh.
YUP, that should do it. And don't forget to dress down in hunting attire and gardening wear.
So the youngest son is told this and he is listening to his sister, his eyes bulging out of his head. What should he do? It was true there was no living room per se' in the carriage house but there was THE pub. The thought of the girlfriend thinking his parents were poorly dressed-alcoholics was just too much for our reluctant hero. Well, it was back to plan A. He looked up restaurants open on Monday nights and actually found a Mexican one. Change of plans again! He told everyone (this now included his backup support of his brother, his sister and her husband, the girlfriend's daughter, his parents, me and me wife and himself) that dinner was going to be at the Mexican place.
Meanwhile, his Mam be wondering what she's supposed to do with all those pastries she bought. "I guess I could eat them. Get awfully fat doing that, but . . . " OH SIGH.
Gabe
Copyright © 2011 All rights reserved
R. Linda:
I never thought I'd live to see the day when someone would be embarrassed to be rich! So here it be, a friend of mine has wealthy parents who live in a 6000 square foot abode. Now, he be in his thirties and has just met the girl of his dreams (well maybe she be). He's met her parents but has put off having her meet his because . . . well because he hasn't broken it to her they have money. Gees what a problem to have, huh?
I can see it now, he stretched his hand across the table to hers, she smiling sweetly in the candlelight. He cleared his throat and said, "Honey, I have something I have to tell you." And her, leaning in looking interested, her smile encouraging, "Yes dear?" He, clearing his throat again, "Well, uh . . . well . . . I haven't told you this, but . . . my parents are wealthy and they live in a mansion."
There you go! And what would happen next? Would she shrink back and say, "OH! In that case," and up she'd get throwing her napkin on the table, upsetting the wine glasses and off she'd go slamming the door behind her. Well, that is what he thinks she'd do.
I was like WHAT? I don't know a girl who at the sound of the words, rich, wealthy, money, gold, stocks and bonds, wouldn't start to look really dreamy thinking of how many shoes she can buy and therefore, becoming INTERESTED. But me friend, no, he's afraid she'll be out that door. So here's the thing, since he was invited to dinner to meet HER parents (oh about four months ago) he has done nothing to set up a meeting for his to meet her and well, she thinks it be about time.
Now I'd be thinking more along the line she wants that engagement ring, but no, no, while that be in the back of his mind THAT isn't his main concern. No, it's on finding out the embarrassing fact he comes from money.
So get this, he's telling me this over lunch and I be listening thinking at first he be having a jape, but no, he's seriously concerned. I tried to be supportive and told him where I grew up, we all had not a whole lot but we didn't know we were poor because we all were in the same boat. BUT that there were two or three children on me street that did have a bit more and we did think THEY were rich though now I know they were just a wee bit better off, but certainly not wealthy. I said for any of us to go to one of their houses was like going to Buckingham Palace. We were all agog with being in a bigger and nicer house and loved to be invited. We weren't jealous, we were more excited than anything, and so I said I thought his girl would be too.
Well, the pressure was too much for him and so he caved to setting up a dinner with his parents. He be a smart one he be, he set it up at a restaurant far from the ancestral estate he did. All was well until SHE informed him that the night chosen wasn't good, as her daughter had a la crosse game (she has an 11-year-old from a previous marriage). So he quickly cancelled it but she was still wanting to meet the parents, so he changed it up to the following Monday night (yes, put it off as much as possible, LOL). Well, parents informed him most of the restaurants weren't open on Monday nights. Well, R. Linda, he bit the bullet when his Mam suggested they have it at the manse. Yup he did feeling very defeated he couldn't put it off and if he did dare put it off, the girlfriend would be suspicious his parents were circus performers and well . . . you get the gist.
So his Mam had planned a lovely dinner of Chicken Marsala, mashed potatoes, Greek salad, freshly baked bread with a tray of lovely pastries from a very expensive bakery.
Meanwhile, his brother goes to visit said parents and tells them to have dinner in the palatial kitchen, not the huge, grand dining room BECAUSE, if they have the dinner in the dining room, the girlfriend will think a marriage proposal be coming. Yes, he actually thought that and I believe the words were, "She'll think the meeting and dinner is more than what it is." UH OH.
Then he told them that they should not give a house tour, nor should they take the girl out to the recreation part of the house (this consists of a carriage house off the back of the house that includes: a piano room, billiard room, pub area, home theatre, mini kitchenette, hot tub room, sauna room, full bathroom, upstairs guest room, and an office.) And why? Because their younger son was afraid the girlfriend would be overwhelmed coming from such humble folks. Well, ok the Mam said, they'll not mention that part of the house exists and turn the lights out so in the dark you won't see it. And, does the older son think they should dress down? Designer jeans ok instead of upper crust dress slacks and a nice blouse (shirt) with just the right jewels (Mam) for the owners of the manor?
"Of course, we could dress your father in his old flannels he wears when hunting. I could probably wear my garden clothes, they are shabby but clean." Mam wondered aloud.
Later that night, the older son runs into his sister and tells her all this. A day later the daughter comes by and says in horrified tones, "Mom, your youngest son really wanted to come to watch Monday Night Football with the girlfriend, not have dinner. The dinner would be too formal and he wants to keep it casual!"
Oh, dear. Well, the Mam said keeping the impressive house in mind, "Problem with THAT is the only TV is the home theatre and THAT is out in the carriage house. We can turn the lights off in the main house and pretend it is a barn and try to pass the carriage house off as the main residence. Of course, she's going to wonder why we have no living room but a pub instead, but we'll just tell her we like our alcohol!" Ha ha ha! Then in deep thought and mostly talking to herself the Mam says, "I'll have to get chips and dip and if they want dinner we can dummy it down to pizza, I guess. OH, the pastries! I've prepaid for those and it's too late to cancel. Well, I could put them out if anyone wants some with coffee." Sigh.
YUP, that should do it. And don't forget to dress down in hunting attire and gardening wear.
So the youngest son is told this and he is listening to his sister, his eyes bulging out of his head. What should he do? It was true there was no living room per se' in the carriage house but there was THE pub. The thought of the girlfriend thinking his parents were poorly dressed-alcoholics was just too much for our reluctant hero. Well, it was back to plan A. He looked up restaurants open on Monday nights and actually found a Mexican one. Change of plans again! He told everyone (this now included his backup support of his brother, his sister and her husband, the girlfriend's daughter, his parents, me and me wife and himself) that dinner was going to be at the Mexican place.
Meanwhile, his Mam be wondering what she's supposed to do with all those pastries she bought. "I guess I could eat them. Get awfully fat doing that, but . . . " OH SIGH.
Gabe
Copyright © 2011 All rights reserved
4 comments:
Whoa! it's usually the other way round, now that's a twist. Keep us informed as to what happens. lmao
SIGH! I wish I had THAT problem! for me, it's much too easy to look poor! I just have to get up!LMAO
Aw such a nice quality. If things go to the next level there probably won't be a pre-nup. LOL
I don't suppose the parents have time to sell the house and downsize? I'm kidding of course, but sounds to me that if the girlfriend isn't fond of people who are well off, she isn't going to be happy with your friend. Bummer right off.
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