The Nouveau Riche--- Trouble Came Across the Pacific Ocean

        Littlefish is my best friend here in the US. Fate connected us eight years ago in the
ESL class for adults downtown. We both got here using K1 visas in the year of 2003, and are both easygoing people. She is from Shanghai; I am from Taiwan. Despite the different experiences, there was a lot we can talk about and share. Soon we became two peas in a pod.

        My mom was visiting my brother and sister-in-law in Shanghai while Littlefish went back there for summer vacation three years ago. So my best friend and my dear family met and had a nice evening at a restaurant without me. I called my mom to see how things went. Everything seemed quite well until my brother asked me, “Do you think Littlefish and her husband is the nouveau riche?”

        “Of course not.” I said without thinking.

        “Oh, well, I don’t think you think that way, either. Just to let you know that our mother told Littlefish today, “My daughter said you’re nouveau riche…” I didn't think it was nice.”

        Gee! What was my mom doing?! I asked my mom despairingly, “Why did you say that?”

        My mom answered as a matter of course, “Didn't you say that they’re rich?”

        “Yes.” I replied weakly.

        “So, they’re the nouveau riche.” My mom rebounded.

        “But, mom---That’s different!” I cried.

        “Sure they’re the same.” She continued, “That means they are the new generation rich people. What was wrong with saying that? You and your brother just tried to make a mountain out of a mole hill.”

        I was speechless. Could I tell my mom that two wrongs do not make a right? It bothered me so I checked the word thoroughly that day. The words were first used in ancient Greece, 8th century B.C. It often referred to as parvenu. Members of the nouveau riche are often discriminated against by the "Old Money" sects of society since they lack the proper pedigree. It means people who have recently acquired wealth, typically those perceived as ostentatious or lacking in good taste. It doesn’t sound good. How am I going to find a way out of this dilemma? I discussed this with Mick. He said this is what Americans will say, “to put your foot in your mouth.” He also mentioned that the Kennedy family was shut out of high society because they were Catholic and nouveau riche. I didn't think he knew that he had just come out with something to save my friendship with Littlefish. How does that sound--- To be compared to the Kennedy family?

        Later on that day, I called my sister in Chicago. She sighed and said, “That sounds like something our mom would do. Don’t you remember…?” We had a good chat and laughed for an hour. Finally she told me, “It’s necessary for you to explain to Littlefish. You don’t want anything to interfere with your friendship with her.” And this was the last sentence she said, “Trouble came across the Pacific Ocean to you while you were doing nothing at home.”