The most obvious thing that sets the two couples apart is socio-economic position. The Quenus have money and property, while Marjolin and Cadine are among the poorest of the poor. Notwithstanding their places in Parisian society, both La Belle Lisa and Cadine are shrewd businesswomen. Cadine has a stronger entrepreneurial bent than La Belle Lisa, as the younger woman goes into business for herself while Lisa simply assumes managership of the charcuterie. Quenu and Marjolin are also alike in that each man is rather sweet and rather stupid at the same time. Neither man is capable of intentional aggression and neither man finds it necessary to use his physicality to obtain what he wants.
