She struck me as someone who came from a family where money was made pretty quickly. I don’t like the phrase “nouveau riche” so I won’t use it in regards to her – or anyone else – but instead she seems like the sort that went “oh wow. Some money! You know, I’ve always wanted to put people down for not having it… Now I finally have my chance! Yay!”

I am, however, thrilled that you are still enjoying the watch!

I have a few tried-and-trues for dealing with all sorts of inappropriateness in mixed company:

“Really.”
“Is that so.”
“I don’t understand, please explain what you mean.”

I especially love using the “I don’t understand, please explain what you mean” trick on racist inappropriateness (bad jokes, innuendo, etc.), if only to gage how long it takes the racist to realize what an ass he’s being. Perhaps this would work with Lara, too:

Lara, looking down her nose: Ugh, your shoes.

You: Yes?

Lara: They have no class.

You: Really. How so?

Lara: They are not elite shoes.

You: I don’t understand what you mean, please explain.

Lara: Elite women do not wear such shoes.

You: I don’t understand what you mean, please explain.

Truly, such a conversation could be neverending and excruciating to witness. Try it! Or . . . Someday just blush prettily and say:

“I’m so sorry, but in BETTER social circles, you know, around more UPPER CLASS people, it is considered very rude – low class, actually – to ask such things. (look flustered). It’s just the way I was raised, you know . . . I suppose we just were raised differently.”

Thanks, Muse.