Preppies Forever!

"True Prep; It's a Whole New Old World" by Lisa Birnbach with Chip Kidd Alfred A. Knopf 248 pages $19.95

Birnbach wrote "The Official Preppy Handbook" back in, I believe, the '80s. Lotta water under the bridge since then. New subjects need to be addressed and Birnbach tackles them.

Essentially "a preppy" is an East Coast, moneyed, pampered type with a good education. (Great emphasis is put on one's school.) Preppies are first cousins to London's Sloan Rangers.

There have been some major changes since the languid days of "Tennis, anyone?" Rehabs are rated with Betty Ford barely topping Hazeldon. Been in the slammer for the past couple of years? Now you're out and, uh, how do you explain your absence? Sample replies: "Been exploring in the Amazon for a pharmaceutical company" or "I entered a religious retreat."

Martha Stewart inspired gourds and grasses centerprieces; Julia Child made them seek out "exotic" foods (i.e. from anywhere but America.) Here's a canape recipe:

1 slice Kraft single-slice sharp Cheddar, cellophane removed.
1 shot glass
1 box Ritz crackers

Put the cheese on a clean, flat surface, make rounds with the shot glass and put them on Ritz crackers. You're done; pass the wine!

Good manners now include instructions on using cell phones and texting. Needless to say, sexting is never done! Thank you notes are still mandatory; but for smaller things/events, it's possible to e-mail your gratitude.

Second marriages (and third and fourth) are prevalent, often resulting in "blended families" - his, hers, ours. If you are child caught up in that mess, True Prep says, "This person is a replacement spouse, but not a replacement parent" which struck me by the practicality of this thought. I tend to think of preppies as dumb rather than that insightful.

Some milestones in preppy history:
October 16, 1982 Williams College ends maid service in the dorms
January, 1983 The first J. Crew catalog comes out!

Basically, the genuine preppy has no need for this book. His parents, their parents and he himself wouldn't know any other life style. Flying coach, having shabby furniture in the beach house, fraying shirts -- that's normal! This book is just a peek at preppy life for us peons.