Elitism

I've been thinking a lot lately about elitism both in society at large and in my family and myself. Obviously, this board is going to attract a certain kind of elitism - mostly sartorial, but some good old-fashoned class warfare as well. After all, most people can't afford $300 denim and $1000 shoes.

For myself - I know, and I've always known that I'm elitist. Everyone makes initial judgments, and mine are usually based in what people are wearing and how educated they seem. I was raised in a family that praised education, reason and worldliness above everything - so I have more respect for people with those qualities.

Not to mention, my parents are both immigrants, but both with advanced degrees from the best universities back home and in the US, from relatively high social classes, so I've been inculcated with elitism towards both countries and social class.

But I've started to make my peace with it, and I'm trying to do work that will stretch me to a broader range of people and maybe tamp down some of my harsh initial judgments.

What do you think about elitism?

I think its important to treat those of lower intelligence or talent with dignity and respect.

I judge someone based on how they treat people in the service industries, you instantly give away your true nature as a person by the way you treat the waiteress/bell hop/guy at the drive thru etc.

I've lived in the country (1,000 person ranching and agricultural town) and lived in the (san fernando) valley, if I've learned one thing besides I'm comfortable in both is that you can't judge someone off appearance or education.

Originally Posted by capnpyro

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I judge someone based on how they treat people in the service industries, you instantly give away your true nature as a person by the way you treat the waiteress/bell hop/guy at the drive thru etc.

Wow, I do the same. Growing up, I can remember my father teaching me how important it is to treat people in this area with respect.

I am an elitist in ways though, mostly looking down upon people who do not take care of themselves. Watching obese people stuff their mouths tends to get to me the most. I have always been somewhat of a fitness fanatic, I guess I need to work on these things.

A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. -Dave Barry

I try not to judge, but when i do it's based on character, not on appearance or education. Not everyone has the oppurtunity to go to world class universities; or the means to wear $1000 shoes. It's what's on the inside that counts. To me, anyway.

Originally Posted by capnpyro

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I judge someone based on how they treat people in the service industries, you instantly give away your true nature as a person by the way you treat the waiteress/bell hop/guy at the drive thru etc.

I feel that everyone should have to work a service job for at least 6 months of their life. It would do wonders for people's respect and civility towards those who serve them.

Originally Posted by LSeca

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Watching obese people stuff their mouths tends to get to me the most.

I was at the Blues Traveler concert last night, and would scan the audience from time to time... seemed like every time I saw somebody stuffing their face with funnel cake - guess who it was? Yup, all the fat-asses. They love their funnel cake...

be on great terms with:
the janitor and the person who runs the office

I've found that most people who are upper class elitists don't know how to properly tile a floor.

Originally Posted by odoreater

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I've found that most people who are upper class elitists don't know how to properly tile a floor.

Or mow a lawn.

The only people I think I really show an elitist attitude toward are people who are:

a)ignorant because of laziness. If you have a mental disability, this is understandable. But people who refuse to learn (the type of person who mispronounces a word several times after you keep repeating something in the correct manner) drive me crazy, and I also think this is a reflection of their character and other areas of their life. I'm not that analytical when I'm involved with someone who strikes me this way, it's just in retrospect that I realize I view the person in such a light. This has nothing to do with education, it's just a matter of someone short-changing themselves.

b)caught up in "systems". This is very much the antithesis to what many feel, but I can't help but feel pity and annoyance for/towards people who are caught up in industry, nationalism or their education. It's seems very animalistic and base to get caught up in a man-made system that might as well be a videogame. I'm a humanist who believes that what matters is that you're happy, healthy and effect people in a positive manner. I create stuff with the idea that if it will change one person's direction then this is what matters most to me, so I can't help but scoff at people who live for their jobs and call themselves "captains of industry".

Originally Posted by amerikajinda

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I was at the Blues Traveler concert last night, and would scan the audience from time to time... seemed like every time I saw somebody stuffing their face with funnel cake - guess who it was? Yup, all the fat-asses. They love their funnel cake...

I love funnel cake. When you walk in to Canada's Wonderland (an amusement park in ontario), that's the first thing you smell and it's so addictive. I used to have a seasons pass when I was a kid and after trying it for the first time, I never went to Canada's Wonderland again without eating funnel cake.

Originally Posted by jonglover

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The only people I think I really show an elitist attitude toward are people who are:

a)ignorant because of laziness. If you have a mental disability, this is understandable. But people who refuse to learn (the type of person who mispronounces a word several times after you keep repeating something in the correct manner) drive me crazy, and I also think this is a reflection of their character and other areas of their life. I'm not that analytical when I'm involved with someone who strikes me this way, it's just in retrospect that I realize I view the person in such a light. This has nothing to do with education, it's just a matter of someone short-changing themselves.

b)caught up in "systems". This is very much the antithesis to what many feel, but I can't help but feel pity and annoyance for/towards people who are caught up in industry, nationalism or their education. It's seems very animalistic and base to get caught up in a man-made system that might as well be a videogame. I'm a humanist who believes that what matters is that you're happy, healthy and effect people in a positive manner. I create stuff with the idea that if it will change one person's direction then this is what matters most to me, so I can't help but scoff at people who live for their jobs and call themselves "captains of industry".
This post rules. It basically says that I am only elitist when I am either intellectually or morally superior to somebody else. Bravo!!!

Originally Posted by drizzt3117

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I think its important to treat those of lower intelligence or talent with dignity and respect.

I think it's best to treat them like sheep and control them...oh, wait I'm not LabelKing...

Jon.