10 Things Only People from Greenwich, CT Understand

Over the years, Greenwich, CT has developed quite the reputation for being full of rich people who live in mansions and raise preppy kids. After all, million dollar homes, private schools, and BMWs are the norm in the western Connecticut city. Of course, this is not always the case, which is why it is time to set a few things straight. Here are 10 things only people from Greenwich, CT will understand.

People are going to automatically assume you are a rich snob when you tell them where you are from.

There is just something about admitting you are from Greenwich, which has been referred to from time to time as the “Beverly Hills of the East,” that makes people assume you are rich and not in touch with the real world. It’s an automatic reaction. They tend to tense up, roll their eyes, and start talking to you just a tad bit differently, usually more formally. Eventually, it won’t be such a big deal and they’ll go back to treating you normally, but it will probably take a while.

There is a good chance that when you drive past the local high schools, you will be overwhelmed by the cars in the student parking lot.

Even those of who live in Greenwich are sometimes shocked by the sheer number of luxury vehicles in the student parking lot. This is definitely true when it comes to the private schools, where it is not unusual to see BMWs, Audis, Mercedes, and Lexus. You can also expect to see the occasional brand new Camaro, Mustang, Lancer, and even a Corvette for those kids who want something a bit sportier. While this isn’t as big a problem at the public schools, it is becoming more and more common to see cars worth well over $30,000 in the parking lot, as parents opt to send their kids there. To be honest, it’s not uncommon for the total value of the students’ cars to exceed the value of the school building.

Many of the people who live in Greenwich don’t work in Greenwich.

In Greenwich, few residents have the luxury of leaving your house five minutes before they have to be at work. Instead, most of us can expect a good hour commute to “The City,” better known to other people around the world as New York City. Everyone from Greenwich knows that the peace and quiet, large homes and lots, and fresh air here is worth the long commute for the top jobs in the corporate and finance world.

Not everyone living in Greenwich is ridiculously rich.

Anyone who lives in Greenwich understands that not everyone is as fortunate as others. That is why Greenwich has a Housing Authority that offers affordable housing and why we collect Toys For Tots and food for people who call Greenwich home. In fact, we even have a Food Bank that is very similar to a grocery store.

It is mandatory that part of your wardrobe come from Vineyard Vines.

In Greenwich, image is everything, which is why it is so important that you wear clothes from the preppiest designer in the U.S., Vineyard Vines. This is the place to go when you are looking for the perfect oxford, gingham, or classic plaid collared shirt, club shorts, cashmere pullover, leather flipflops, and suede moccasins. (Of course, it is best if it is in pastel.) It does not matter where you are in Greenwich, you will see the pink whale that symbolizes Vineyard Vines.

Even longtime residents can get awestruck by the houses on “The Golden Triangle.”

“The Golden Triangle” is the area of Greenwich that the richest of the rich call home. While you can’t see all the palatial estates from the road, you can rest assured that those you can see are absolutely enormous. And, yes, even those Greenwich residents who live in mansions according to the rest of the United States can become speechless when driving through the area.

As long as Greenwich comes out ahead of Darien in everything (sports, academics, etc.), you know everything is right with the world.

Whether or not you are actually a Greenwich Cardinal, you understand that rooting against the Darien Blue Waves is an absolute must for any Greenwich resident. It does not matter what school you currently attend or have already graduated from, you always pledge your allegiance to Greenwich anytime they are up against the Waves. Honestly, Waves, what kind of school mascot is that?

Millionaires are really no different than everybody else.

All Greenwich residents know a millionaire or two (or 20) and we’ve come to understand that the only real difference between them and everybody else is they have lots of money in the bank. The truth is they still come out for exciting Friday night football games. They still go to the grocery store, gas station, doctor, etc. In fact, it can be hard to tell you are among the wealthiest people in the area because they tend to act just like everybody else.

There is no reason to be scared of driving in the snow.

In Greenwich, it snows and snows and snows, which is why you simply have to get used to driving in it if you ever want to leave your home. At the same time, there is no reason to expect schools to close because of school. If they did, we would end up sitting in a classroom all summer instead. And, yes, it even snows at the beach.

Yes, Ivy League schools, such as Princeton, Harvard, and Yale, are great, but UConn is better.

While students in Greenwich have the grades and smarts to get into the Ivy League (and the money to pay the tuition), most of us would much rather end up wearing UConn’s blue and grey. Why? Simple, one or both of our parents went there, half our graduating high school class is headed to UConn, and there is nothing like being a Husky. Plus, we’re pretty much born bleeding blue.