Joneses
Proverbial affluent neighbors
Joneses refers to one's neighbors or peers as a standard of social comparison, almost always in the phrase keeping up with the Joneses—the effort to match others' material possessions or lifestyle.
Jones was chosen as a common American surname representing typical middle-class families.
They bought a boat just to keep up with the Joneses.
Standard for comparison
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- outdoingSurpassing in performance
- one-upmanshipQuest to surpass others
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
emulation · standard · peer pressure · rat race · competition · comparison · matching · surpassing
Immediately beside one's home
- suburbiaResidential areas outside cities
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
- cul-de-sacStreet closed at end
- blockSolid mass, or impede
residential · houses · front yard · driveway · property line · fence · subdivision · HOA
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- covetousnessExcessive desire for possessions
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
discontent · inadequacy · inferiority · desire · wistfulness · bitterness · green-eyed · wanting
Preoccupation with acquiring goods
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- spendingOutlaying of funds
- shoppingAcquiring goods at retailers
- possessionsThings one owns
acquisition · McMansion · brand names · gadgets · upgrades · designer goods · home renovation · lawn care
Reputation commanding admiration
- affluenceAbundance of money
- wealthAbundance of valuable resources
- eliteSuperior select group
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
upper class · high society · social ladder · status symbols · class · hierarchy · bourgeoisie · socialite
benchmark
Standard for comparison
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- outdoingSurpassing in performance
- one-upmanshipQuest to surpass others
rivalry · emulation · standard · peer pressure · rat race · competition · comparison · matching · surpassing · outpacing
next-door
Immediately beside one's home
- suburbiaResidential areas outside cities
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
- cul-de-sacStreet closed at end
block · residential · houses · front yard · driveway · property line · fence · subdivision · HOA · curb appeal
jealousy
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- covetousnessExcessive desire for possessions
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- longingIntense, persistent desire
yearning · discontent · inadequacy · inferiority · desire · wistfulness · bitterness · green-eyed · wanting · coveting
consumerism
Preoccupation with acquiring goods
possessions · acquisition · McMansion · brand names · gadgets · upgrades · designer goods · home renovation · lawn care · swimming pool
prestige
Reputation commanding admiration
privilege · upper class · high society · social ladder · status symbols · class · hierarchy · bourgeoisie · socialite · influence
- George Jones
- keep up with the JonesesStatus-driven imitation of peers
- keeping up with the JonesesStriving to match neighbors' lifestyle
- Indiana Jones
- Davy Jones' lockerOcean floor for shipwrecks
- Dow JonesStock market benchmark