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Original poster

What does "Keeping up with the Jones'" mean to you and WWBU?

22 replies

Andromeida59 · 10/01/2019 15:10

We've been renovating our house over the past 18 months and had a new bathroom etc. Last night after using the shower, I mentioned to DP how amazing it was in comparison to our old shower (lived above a shop so usually a trickle).
He then said that I was trying to "keep up with the Jones'" because I mentioned how good our shower was.

This conversation was just between us, not in reference to anyone else. I never talk about things at home to anyone else and never compare myself to others. We do buy nice things but don't even tell anyone and certainly never broadcast things on SM.

This is not how I define "keeping up" etc. So how do you define it? Was I doing this? Any insight welcome.

OP posts:
AnneOfCleavage · 10/01/2019 15:16

He's got the meaning of the saying wrong.

Keeping up with the Jones is basically wanting something someone else has got just so you look like you are on a level playing field with them and not because you actually want it. You HAVE to have it because someone else has it.

What you did was compare your old shower with your new shower which is keeping up with no one just a throwaway comment on how much you like your old shower. If you didn't have a nice shower and said you must get one because so and so does then yes that would be trying to keep up with the Jones.

😂

Andjustlikethat · 10/01/2019 15:16

That's not what it means at all. To me it means having to have all the new stuff that neighbours/family/friends have to appear more affluent, even if you can't actually afford it.

RoboticSealpup · 10/01/2019 15:17

What a strange thing for him to say. Why did he bother renovating then if he thinks having new things and enjoying them is somehow a bad thing?

Original poster
Andromeida59 · 10/01/2019 15:25

I've no idea @robotic. He's also an Aspie so can get things wrong. I really couldn't care less what other people have. Each to their own.

OP posts:
BreconBeBuggered · 10/01/2019 15:31

Keeping up with the Joneses is about comparing your material possessions with those of others, and wishing to change or upgrade your own accordingly. But you knew that. I just wanted to say Joneses.

PattiStanger · 10/01/2019 15:34

Sounds like he's heard the phrase being used wrongly in the past and hasnt known.

It means trying to keep up with everyone else in terms of what you have, you don't use it just to describe something. If you knew all the neighbours had fancy showers and you bought one not to get left behind he would be right to use the phrase.

troubleswillbeoutofsight · 10/01/2019 15:45

The expression to me is about the sort of people that live on new housing estates and have shiny new cars in their drives. Everyone knows everyone’s business, what their cars cost, when a new sofa was delivered etc and wants the same. So someone gets a new sofa from John Lewis delivered and person across the road sees and starts banging on about needing a new sofa too. If you get what I mean. It’s totally materialistic.
What you said was just a comment about your lovely new shower. Nothing materialistic or keeping up with the Jones

LuluMelons · 10/01/2019 15:47

He's also an Aspie so can get things wrong

Really? I would have thought someone with aspergers got things right all the time

Yabbers · 10/01/2019 16:04

That's not what it means at all. To me it means having to have all the new stuff that neighbours/family/friends have to appear more affluent, even if you can't actually afford it

And it's totally frowned upon

Yet on another thread an OP was encouraged to let her daughter buy an expensive item because all her friends had one and it was cruel for her to be left out.

Fatbutt · 10/01/2019 16:22

@troubleswillbeoutofsight what are these 'sort of people' that live on new housing estates?

You can try and keep up with the joneses in an old house too ya know! I know someone that whenever she visited us would copy something from our house but using all brand new 'stuff' (where we used second hand mainly) - our house was 100 years old...

To me it is if you see someone else has got something, and you get it to match or one up them - and to those people I say get on with it, your house, your money!

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 10/01/2019 16:31

He's got that wrong imo.

It's an old tv sitcom trope too, the neighbour who tries to compete with others who have nicer things and acquires them with difficulty.

Andjustlikethat · 10/01/2019 17:05

troubles we live on a new build estate and yesour car is only a couple of years old but it's through my husband's company so it's a tax efficient use of his salary and it's bloody filthy

We do have one set of neighbours that seem to want to be a cut above everyone else, I find them hilarious with their airs and graces and yes when we had an M&S furniture delivery van turn up one day it wasn't too long before they had one too. What shall I order next? Grin

Original poster
Andromeida59 · 10/01/2019 17:17

@lulu ask him anything science/computing related and he's fastidious. Anything to do with social situations etc. He doesn't have a clue.

OP posts:
Original poster
Andromeida59 · 10/01/2019 17:19

Years ago, I worked briefly at the John Lewis call centre. It was amazing how many people specifically wanted the delivery in a John Lewis can even if it meant waiting longer for delivery. The busiest times were always early morning or around school finishing.

OP posts:
KanielOutis · 10/01/2019 18:06

Its about buying things you can't afford, don't want and don't need, with the sole purpose of showing how successful you are.

troubleswillbeoutofsight · 10/01/2019 18:40

My comment about new housing estates was what first jumped to mind when hearing the expression. I meant no offence it’s just that when I was growing up and living in one it was very much what I experienced. Someone would get see that a neighbour had new blinds / curtains / car and would attempt to get the same. I’ve since lived in cities and now rurally and haven’t seen it since

MaisyPops · 10/01/2019 18:44

He's got it wrong.

You made a reasonable comparison.

Keeping up with the joneses is about wanting to look good to others. E.g. Sandra got a new car on finance and it's a 19 plate. Mini have a new offer on if you buy new with all the factory options. Maybe we should upgrade, after all out 2 year old Audi a1 is looking a bit dated now.

Ooh I went to David's house and his wife has let him turn the garage into a man cave. I was thinking we could give up the dining room and then I could invite the lads round to my man cave with heating

MycatsaPirate · 10/01/2019 18:51

Yeah, he has it wrong.

Keeping up with the Jones is literally the couple across the road.

I bought a convertible. They bought one the next day.
A house up the road put up their xmas lights after the couple. They had more. Next day couple went out and bought so many lights and trees and stuff that I was scared an aeroplane would mistake it for a fucking runway.

No matter what anyone in this street does or has. They have better or they go out and get better things. It's wearing. And amusing.

AnneOfCleavage · 10/01/2019 19:09

Yabbers was that the one with the £50 eye shadow palette? [shocked]ShockMadness for a 9 yr old!

Andjustlikethat · 10/01/2019 19:13

troubles I'm not offended. When we lived rurally there was far more ofit going on. People that had moved out of cities in to an affluent,rural village were all about their image and making themselves look like they had it all. I suppose it depends on what part of the country you're in and the demographics there.

mrcharlie · 10/01/2019 20:09

keeping up with the jones's and Tenbobs go hand in hand in my book.
Ironic tho', is it not that my mother would always say that such things were such a working class trait.

I'm beginning to think she was wise beyond her years!

CherryPavlova · 10/01/2019 20:14

Was he perhaps teasing?

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