I felt like applauding at the hostess’s civilized, honest response to the lady’s holier-than-thou attitude! Really liked your descriptive writing. This image was particularly vivid: “Her regal brows rose to her hairline in disdain.”
Always even in this story a critism against snobby people… the only way is to watch and make your own and honest opinion of things, to start more thinking before talking ( is it true, is there a need and is it not hurting what I am going to say) and to respect and accept.
It’s probably completely unfair, but I always associate Snodgrass with snobby, uppity rich folks who like to impress others with their superiority. Must have been something I read somewhere along my long lifetime 🙂
Following up–I found a site that lists every character in every work by Dickens. Snodgrass appears in The Pickwick Papers, but he doesn’t seem to have the unpleasant attitude of my Mrs. Snodgrass 🙂
When I was a kid they played Our Gang and Little Rascals on a local TV station after school. For some reason, the first Miss Crabtree one jumped out at me when we were talking names that sound bad.
Well, I hadn’t thought of that. I think it was more that she could see the coming market for artificials–silk, ceramic, just plain paper—that was going to make someone a lot of money.
To anyone who only cares for the money, they are a sad person indeed. By the way, I had a Mrs. Snodgrass for a teacher (many) years ago. It’s an unusual name. Meaningful story, Linda!
Im probably reading too much into this, but this occurred to me:I know it was the custom to always be called Mrs. in former times, but nowadays at least outside formal settings, you hear it less often, in favor of a full or even a first name. Her going by Mrs could mean, that her importance is derivative, that is, entirely owing to her station as her husband’s wife. Which could conceivably imply that her own importance is very minor, indeed.
I think what you’re saying is often true. However, in my mind this party took place when ladies all wore long dresses and Gibson=girl hairdos, but there weren’t enough words for me to convey that. And—in that era, people were more formal. First names were reserved for friends and close friends at that. Interesting comment, thank you.
Very much a case of the pot calling the kettle black I’m afraid. As a stay at home mom, I have only a limited number of accomplishments that would be recognized in the wider world. And like most wives of men who do well in their careers, I am happy to take my share of the credit for his success!:)
I was a stay-at-home-mom until the youngest of my four was 10, when I started teaching at their school. I may not have had many skills that would have been appreciated by the work force, but I sure learned a lot during those years, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. And I agree-I like enabling my husband to be successful at his work.
I can see the grandkids selling them at a yard sale for nearly nothing. It’s amazing some of the family heirlooms my wife picks up for a fraction of what they’re worth.
Delcicious word, sussurus
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Thanks, Neil. I enjoy onomatopoeia, and this word is a perfect example.
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Unfortunately far too often in today’s world, it is all about the money, and that’s how success is measured.
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Yes. And I believe it has always been so, even when money was shells and beads.
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sad, but surely true…: (
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I felt like applauding at the hostess’s civilized, honest response to the lady’s holier-than-thou attitude! Really liked your descriptive writing. This image was particularly vivid: “Her regal brows rose to her hairline in disdain.”
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Thank you, Magarisa. Finding a limited number of words to express someone’s character is a wonderful challenge 🙂
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You’re welcome, Linda.
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Dear Linda,
Always it’s about money. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So true, unfortunately. Beautifully written.
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I think “Touchée!” is the appropriate response…
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Yes. You could almost hear it in the background 🙂
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Nice one, Linda 🙂 There’s always a critic among us, isn’t there?
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Yes, and it would be good if we could deal with them as graciously as this hostess did.
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Always even in this story a critism against snobby people… the only way is to watch and make your own and honest opinion of things, to start more thinking before talking ( is it true, is there a need and is it not hurting what I am going to say) and to respect and accept.
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oh interesting take… I love the last name though!
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It’s probably completely unfair, but I always associate Snodgrass with snobby, uppity rich folks who like to impress others with their superiority. Must have been something I read somewhere along my long lifetime 🙂
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I must have read the same thing, because as soon as I saw the name, I knew the character that you meant.
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I should google it. . . . well, a quick search wasn’t helpful. Anyone else who is reading this, do you know if this is a literary character?
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Following up–I found a site that lists every character in every work by Dickens. Snodgrass appears in The Pickwick Papers, but he doesn’t seem to have the unpleasant attitude of my Mrs. Snodgrass 🙂
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I don’t know, it just seems bad. Like Miss Crabtree. Isn’t that an awful name? No where as good as Miss Mrs. McGillicuddy…
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Yes, true. That one is just funny 🙂
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It is – did you get the Our Gang/pre-Little Rascals reference?
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I didn’t. Missed it. Went back and found it, and got it the second time through. Those memories go back a very long way!
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When I was a kid they played Our Gang and Little Rascals on a local TV station after school. For some reason, the first Miss Crabtree one jumped out at me when we were talking names that sound bad.
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I remember watching it every day after school. Had forgotten about Miss Crabtree, though. And yes, some names ? I’m glad I don’t have 🙂
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Great observation in this piece. Great read.
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Thank you 🙂
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Ooooh, I loved ‘sussurus’. And we all know someone like that snob, don’t we? 🙂
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We sure do! 🙂
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Check and mate. Nicely done. Unfortunately, money is all to important in our society.
I’ve never heard the word ‘susurrus’ before. I like it a lot. I don’t even care what it means, though I did look it up.
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It sounds like exactly what it means. Lovely word 🙂
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Yes, all about the money. Nicely done.
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I love the snide yet politely-worded little digs of the “upper class”. Puts me in mind of Downton Abbey 🙂
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Oh yes. Great characters in that drama. I’m sure there was a Mrs. Snodgrass here and there.
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Show me the money! Excellent display of snobbery.
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Thanks 🙂
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I’m not sure Mrs Snodgrass could ever make a come-back from that put-down. Nor should she.
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Exactly right. People like her will dominate the conversation completely if someone doesn’t give them a gentle shove now and then 🙂
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Hostess had planned everything beforehand. She was planning to auction the artificial flowers, was she?
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Well, I hadn’t thought of that. I think it was more that she could see the coming market for artificials–silk, ceramic, just plain paper—that was going to make someone a lot of money.
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Mrs. Snodgrass was adeptly put in her place.
And frankly, any future invitations to her would be lost in the mail…
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Yup. That kind of guest casts a pall over the gathering, for sure.
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Blech. Wonder if she realises she slowly gets less and less invites (mind you, there are those who want her kind around – why? I could never say!)
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Prestige, I guess. Associating with Important People 🙂
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Riiiiiight
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🙂
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I love the way you’ve written this – I could envisage the scene. Brilliant.
Click to read my FriFic tale!
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Thanks, Keith 🙂
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To anyone who only cares for the money, they are a sad person indeed. By the way, I had a Mrs. Snodgrass for a teacher (many) years ago. It’s an unusual name. Meaningful story, Linda!
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Thanks , Brenda. I’m sure there are lots of wonderful people bearing that last name 🙂
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Ah touche, Mrs Snodgrass.
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Had to look up susuruss, what a cool word and Mrs Snodgrass sounds like a massive idiot, Ive met a few in my folks’ circles
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You’re not alone–two or three others have told me that had to look it up. I think it’s a great word, too 🙂
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Absolutely, I live in the thesaurus on FF day, not always successfully mind!
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great retort. she nailed it. 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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Always chasing that $$$, it seems. A great read!
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Haha…she really turned it around on her!
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Its amazing and full of charm. Cheers!
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Thank you very much 🙂
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Makes me wonder what Mr. Snodgrass is like. 😊
Im probably reading too much into this, but this occurred to me:I know it was the custom to always be called Mrs. in former times, but nowadays at least outside formal settings, you hear it less often, in favor of a full or even a first name. Her going by Mrs could mean, that her importance is derivative, that is, entirely owing to her station as her husband’s wife. Which could conceivably imply that her own importance is very minor, indeed.
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I think what you’re saying is often true. However, in my mind this party took place when ladies all wore long dresses and Gibson=girl hairdos, but there weren’t enough words for me to convey that. And—in that era, people were more formal. First names were reserved for friends and close friends at that. Interesting comment, thank you.
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Very much a case of the pot calling the kettle black I’m afraid. As a stay at home mom, I have only a limited number of accomplishments that would be recognized in the wider world. And like most wives of men who do well in their careers, I am happy to take my share of the credit for his success!:)
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I was a stay-at-home-mom until the youngest of my four was 10, when I started teaching at their school. I may not have had many skills that would have been appreciated by the work force, but I sure learned a lot during those years, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. And I agree-I like enabling my husband to be successful at his work.
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Bravo. I love the use of the word susurrus and the fact that the snobby lady was put in her place. 🙂
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Thanks, Kristian.
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And a perfect comeback by the hostess. For some people it’s all about the money and nothing else.
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I know people cannot choose their name (or not really) but this one … she deserved hers … 😉 And the hostess? Good for her! 🙂
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Totally agree 🙂
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I can see the grandkids selling them at a yard sale for nearly nothing. It’s amazing some of the family heirlooms my wife picks up for a fraction of what they’re worth.
Excellent story of a snob being put in her place.
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thanks, Russell.
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Oh… delicious name, Snodgras … of course she know what comes first in the end… money before taste
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Thanks, Bjorn. I like that. Delicious name 🙂
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The description of that lady is excellent, I can see her look down her nose.
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Thanks 🙂
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Well, she’s got her there! I like how your heroine turned the tables on Mrs Snodgrass – touche!
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Thanks 🙂
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My pleasure 🙂
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It sounds as if the hostess knows her critical guest very well.
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Yes. and is not intimidated by her 🙂
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