Who are the Nouveau Riche?
The term “nouveau riche” is usually used in a pejorative fashion to refer to people who have acquired money recently, usually within one or two generations. The term is used by established members of the upper class who represent dynasties of wealth, some of which have existed for centuries. The nouveau riche are generally associated with tactlessness, lack of taste, and questionable cultural or social practices. Most members of the nouveau riche are unaware of how offensive their behavior appears to others. The phrase is French for “new rich,” and the term “new money” is sometimes used to refer to the nouveau riche. People who have the benefit of generations of wealth are generally classified as “old money,” and they tend to be leading members of society. Directories of important people in a community usually include old money, sometimes dismissed by the nouveau riche as traditionalists or the “old guard.” Members of the nouveau riche usually struggle for social acceptance. With old m
The term “nouveau riche†is usually used in a pejorative fashion to refer to people who have acquired money recently, usually within one or two generations. The term is used by established members of the upper class who represent dynasties of wealth, some of which have existed for centuries. The nouveau riche are generally associated with tactlessness, lack of taste, and questionable cultural or social practices. Most members of the nouveau riche are unaware of how offensive their behavior appears to others. The phrase is French for “new rich,†and the term “new money†is sometimes used to refer to the nouveau riche. People who have the benefit of generations of wealth are generally classified as “old money,†and they tend to be leading members of society. Directories of important people in a community usually include old money, sometimes dismissed by the nouveau riche as traditionalists or the “old guard.†Members of the nouveau riche usually struggle for social accepta
