Sunday, February 10, 2013

I Am a Snob (and What That Means)

I've mentioned before how I am pretty snobby. Sometimes when I describe myself like this IRL, it surprises people and they argue with me, "No you're not! What are you talking about?" This is because my definition of "snobby" seems to be different from everyone else's. (I have the same problem with the word "feminist": B thinks I should stop calling myself one since it just confuses others. But I feel like my definition is the correct one and everyone else is just wrong, so I won't.)

As far as "snobby" goes, I don't care at all about 1. how much money people have; 2. if they own expensive/branded products; 3. how attractive they are (or how much they weigh); 4. what schools they went to, or degrees they have; or 5. what cars they own. I love shopping at thrift stores, and I would pick the awesome greasy hole-in-the-wall restaurant over the five-star fine dining establishment every time.

That doesn't mean I'm not snobby though. People who care about that sort of thing are actually just not snobby enough. According to my worldview, all of these things are rather beneath the cultivated person's notice: in other words, I don't care about them (or at least pretend not to care, there is some hypocrisy involved here as being poor, ignorant and obese isn't something I actually want for myself) because I think I'm too good for that.

So what do I judge people on? Ignorance is a big one: I expect people to have a basic knowledge of science, world history, philosophy, and geography (and so if people don't know what evolution is, who Napoleon is, or where Australia is, I will not view them as my equal). Being a sophisticated or "cultivated" person is almost as important, which means appreciating literature (NOT Stephen King, my god), art (and real art, horrible shlock like Thomas Kinkade doesn't count), music (beyond the top 40!), and travel (package tours don't count).

Taste is another. I tend to look down on people who wear clothes that I define as "tacky" (which would include profane t-shirts, Disney paraphernalia  or anything with kittens, angels or Indians). I judge people based on what they eat--because while eating cheap food is fine, it has to be delicious. The idea of eating Velveeta, Jello, grocery store white bread or grape jelly horrifies me (B and I still mock this one person who served lettuce in jello!!! to him once). Home decor is the same way (here's an example of an apparently nice house, that to me seems almost repulsive in its tackiness).

Typically when hearing the word "snob" people think of someone obsessed with Coach purses and bottle service, who sneers at the "little people" (all of which I consider horribly tacky BTW). To me, a snob is someone who feels they are better than most other people. The metric by which they make this judgment isn't so important. Most intellectuals (and liberals) qualify quite handily by this definition, and as both it's maybe not so surprising I do too.

I feel conflicted about being a snob, because on the one hand it is really rather morally repulsive to think you are superior to most people (80%? I asked B and he says it's more like 98%, but that's B for you). On the other hand, I do think I'm better: smarter, better educated, better able to appreciate beauty and culture and quality...It's very possible this is all delusional of course (because there's no rule that giant black candlesticks are hideous), but even though I know it intellectually I cannot convince myself of its truth in my heart.

7 comments:

  1. I'm totally the same way, honestly. I could care less about brand names but tell me you honestly don't "believe" in global warming and I will judge you. I'm worried I come across as too snobby though- something I am working on.

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    1. People like that bring out my inner dictator and make me want to institute tests of basic knowledge, which you must pass in order to advocate opinions in public (or vote).

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  2. I am pretty similar! Now that you mention it - the common snob is a brand snob/superficial snob - but there are all kinds of snobs.
    Sadly, I have started being somewhat of a brand snob too for certain things (makeup, perfume, Manolo Blahnik shoes, etc.).

    And, I totally agree with your definition of feminist, but I am wimpy and got tired of explaining my definition to everyone (they all have the wrong idea!), so I stopped telling people that I am a feminist.
    I also appreciate your dislike of anything with Indians. Living in Tokyo, I have gotten inured to Disney paraphernalia but I still wouldn't buy it.

    I have been slowly beating away my feelings of superiority, but to be honest they're still lingering on.

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    1. I guess I don't count it as being a brand snob if you buy certain brands because they ARE nicer (and let's face it, usually expensive things are nicer, that's why they cost more! When you view a Manolo Blahnik shoe and one from the discount shoe store side by side it becomes obvious why he makes money). You would only be a snob if you bought them specifically for the brand, rather than the quality.

      I don't get the Japanese thing with Disney. They have so many cuter home-grown characters (OMG Studio Ghibli: I have hundreds of dollars worth of their plush toys). Maybe it's some kind of instinct though? Obviously R owns nothing Disney, but she loved Mickey, Minnie and Winnie the Pooh on sight and if she had her own money would surely buy some tacky Disney tschotskes.

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  3. lol you're a trip you know that? ps, I'm officially beneath you because me + geography = NOT friends. I am seriously just all around TERRIBLE at geography - it's a fun poke-at-kat kinda joke among, well, pretty much every one who knows me. When I first started working at my job I thought Chicago was a state (you can laugh or shake your head)...I blame moving from Russian before they started georgraphy and to US after they finished.

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    1. Haha, that's funny. And also kind of a sad commentary on my standards, because 1. you are cool and smart, and so obviously my standards are a little off and 2. I would make an exception for you, because I always do when I like people (B doesn't really like ANY art much, and had never heard of either Art Deco or Rubens when we met: and I married him.) Maybe snobbery is just a way to justify your preexisting dislikes?

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    2. I've been calling that judging rather than snobbery ;) we judge based on our experiences and expectations ya know? based on your knowledge and well roundness i would totally not make the cut. but i can resolve pretty much any technology issue, know the latest technology out, understand SEO better than any geography and can run a project from scratch to completion for a website or infrastructure restructure like nobody's business....so we all have our "bests" right?

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