This Is The Hamptons...

In 1926 Fitzgerald published one of his finest stories, ''The Rich Boy,'' whose narrator begins it with the words ''Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.''

More than 80 years later that statement rings as true today as it did then. Though Christie Brinkley opened up the east end to ridicule this summer with her high profile divorce, she is far from the only one from the east end showing us all here how different our lives are "Up Island." I actually found myself threatening to tell a judge in Central Islip about the extravagant spending of one litigant and expressing my belief that the judge would be appalled at such a revelation. The response to me shocked me all the more...."This is the Hamptons" I was told, as if this readily explained the extravagance that was displayed before me. Excess is Excess, whether it be in the Hamptons, Rodeo Drive or Mont ego Bay. When parties are going through a divorce a more critical eye is cast at even the most wealthy.

Perhaps a $300 pair of jeans purchased monthly before a divorce was acceptable, in all likelihood once an action is started, it will not be. For most of us the purchase of a $2000.00 purse for a 12 year old girl is something we would never be able to justify....for those who live in the Hamptons apparently it becomes their justification for the purchase.