Snobbery

I recently suffered through a wine and cheese party at Lutsen. I met two investment bankers (I have nothing against investment bankers) who had just turned 40. Our conversation immediately focused on lines and distinctions. The talk centered upon Denver, where one of the bankers had grown up. I mentioned where I have my office and he tried to discern (not ask) exactly where it was located. I never thought about this much, till he pestered me for landmarks. The dude was nice enough, but his questioning had a subtle pugnacity that made me flinch.

I quickly turned the conversation away from Denver and inquired about his office in Minneapolis (as I had heard he worked downtown). His office, he informed me, was in the building previously called the First Bank Tower, “designed by I.M. Pei,” he added.

I recalled that that I.M. Pei had indeed designed this tower and that to me it remains a forgettable work, with marble the color of a Don Johnson blazer from Miami Vice days (first season). He also said something about only “3 buildings” in Minneapolis being worthy of a successful enterprise. His yardstick of architectural worthiness seemed to center on height.

Needless to say I did not bring up the Japanese-penned masterpiece that is the old Northwestern National Life building.

And, being the uttter snob that he was, I refused to talk about cars.