Feb 02 2009
Gain some perspective, Girlfriend
It’s probably a personal failing on my part, but I’m having a bit of trouble mustering up much compassion for the women featured in this New York Times article: “It’s the Economy, Girlfriend.” (If it bugs you for a login, put “nyt.com” into Bug Me Not to generate one.) Apparently, the financial crisis heavily impacts… wait for it… the girlfriends and wives of folks in the financial industry, who now don’t get out to eat as often and whose “Bergdorf’s allowance” is shrinking. I know — I was startled, too!
Once it was seen as a blessing in certain circles to have a wealthy, powerful partner who would leave you alone with the credit card while he was busy brokering deals. Now, many Wall Street wives, girlfriends and, increasingly, exes, are living the curse of cutbacks in nanny hours and reservations at Masa or Megu. And that credit card? Canceled.
Apparently I have been doing it wrong all these years. I should have been looking for that wealthy, powerful, credit-card gifting partner – but now, alas, it may be too late.
This quote may be my personal favorite:
Dawn Spinner Davis, 26, a beauty writer, said the downward-trending graphs began to make sense when the man she married on Nov. 1, a 28-year-old private wealth manager, stopped playing golf, once his passion. “One of his best friends told me that my job is now to keep him calm and keep him from dying at the age of 35,” Ms. Davis said. “It’s not what I signed up for.”
Yes, we don’t do that whole “for better or for worse” thing in these circles, apparently.
Read more at their “Dating a Banker Anonymous” blog:
Are you or someone you love dating a banker? If so, we are here to support you through these difficult times. Dating A Banker Anonymous (DABA) is a safe place where women can come together – free from the scrutiny of feminists– and share their tearful tales of how the mortgage meltdown has affected their relationships. DABA Girls was started by two best friends whose relationships tanked with the economy. Not knowing what else to do, we did what frustrated but articulate girls have done since the beginning of time – we started a blog. So if your monthly Bergdorf’s allowance has been halved and bottle service has all but disappeared from your life, lighten your heart with laughter and email your stories to dabagirls@gmail.com. Warning all stories sent will be infused with our own special brand of DABA Girl humor.
I guess you can find a support group for anything on the Internet. But is it just me, or are the rest of you just exhausted by stories about the economic downturn’s impact on the wealthy? Oh no — We can’t spend the entire winter in Mexico! Oh no — Now someone only comes to clean my house twice a week! Please explain: How is this a story?
