Are we snobs?

[King Francis]

My lady friend thinks the way I dress, and the fact that I dress well, is hot.

Occasionally we play a game called, "Would You Still Love Me / Do Me If?" The game consists of pointing to some ugly or atrociously attired person and asking the question. The answer is always no; the fun consists in alternately making and watching the horrified expressions that result from viewing the offensive person in question.

But we played that game even before I started lurking here. Then again, we're young and sarcastic, so your mileage may vary.

 

[Sator]

Originally Posted by BigHandMan

Questions

1. Are we snobs?

Yes

Originally Posted by BigHandMan

2. Do your wives/girlfriends/partners/significant others get on you about your obsession with style?

Yes - sometimes. But I am the first person she will seek sartorial advice from. And she listens to me too.

 

[gorgekko]

Originally Posted by BigHandMan

I'm tired of seeing guys like Bill Belichick and Andy Reid look absolutely comical in their officially licensed garb.

Bill Belichick is actually pretty decently dressed -- for an NFL coach at any rate -- away from the football field. He only looks homeless while doing his job on Sunday.

 

[acidboy]

1. I try not to be.

2. Yes, at least once a week.

 

[DocHolliday]

I'm both salt of the earth and a savage snob. If I see someone making an effort, particularly someone who is obviously not financially blessed, I appreciate that effort. But if someone is flaunting their wealth/can't be bothered to dress appropriately/is trying way too hard, I've been known to hit them with a cruelly disapproving glance. If it's really bad, I might even slap them with a slightly raised eyebrow.

 

[Soph]

Yes.

 

[California Dreamer]

1. Maybe. Does it really matter if others think that? I prefer to think that we are intellectually curious and mutually supportive.

2. Bemusement is the more frequent response than criticism. My wife shops at Target and KMart - she just doesn't get spending $ks for a suit or hundreds for shoes. Since I finance it all myself out of my savings, she lets me do what I like.

 

[Newton]

Lately I have caught myself acting like a snob and have been toning it down a little. I can't re-order someone else's priorities.

I do however take exception to people who try to share any sort of wayward opinion with me about clothes. Keep it to yourself to save embarrassment, friend!

 

[Film Noir Buff]

1. I am far from a snob. I am willing to enlighten anyone and elevate their style to an acceptable level.

2. Do not bring it up with women, they notice but I always play it off. The girl I was dating when I started my forum found out about it and her comment about what i was doing and the community was shocking, even if it was amusing.

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by gorgekko

Bill Belichick is actually pretty decently dressed away from the football field.

 

[Bandwagonesque]

Originally Posted by BigHandMan

Question: Are we snobs?

Answer: No, we are DEVO!

 

[rdawson808]

Well, Bandwagonesque just posted the best answer...

But I have to say that there's a big difference between being a snob to yourself (in your own head) or just between yourself and your partner and actually being so rude as to tell people they dress poorly. I am most definitely a snob in my head and wife my wife (and perhaps one or two other friends) but would never actually share even the most polite version of what I'm thinking (i.e. You know traditionally a tuxedo does not have notched lapels.)


b

 

[lasbar]

Are we snobs? The fact itself that you're asking yourself this question is the living proof that ,deep down you're not a snob!!!!
A mad person never has any doubts about her own sanity ,the same way an idiot never doubts of his own intelligence or ability to perform any task....
The real snob will never admit to being a snob ,he will find different concepts to justify his (sometimes delusional) perceived superiority...
We're all snobs to different degrees ....

 

[Morris]

Originally Posted by Sator

Yes



Yes - sometimes. But I am the first person she will seek sartorial advice from. And she listens to me too.


Re Question 1. Snob? Absolutely. To be any other way is to settle. We are limited by our knowledge and means ... it is easier to accumulate the former, but if you are fortunate enough to have a meager amount of both ... you are duty bound to apply them.

Re Question 2. No. My wife fully appreciates my view that clothing is a window into the personality.

 

[LARon]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

I'm both salt of the earth and a savage snob. If I see someone making an effort, particularly someone who is obviously not financially blessed, I appreciate that effort. But if someone is flaunting their wealth/can't be bothered to dress appropriately/is trying way too hard, I've been known to hit them with a cruelly disapproving glance. If it's really bad, I might even slap them with a slightly raised eyebrow.

I must say I agree with Doc: to those who aspire to a lifestyle currently beyond their resources (which is different from living beyond their means) I have nothing but support and encouragement. On the other hand, for those with means (or a haughty attitude) but no style I am nearly unforgiving.

To my mind, snobbishness is an unmanly, even effete trait that I hope never to display. That said, however, there is a certain amount of confidence that comes from knowing what is right (whether right to wear, right to say or right way to act), that can be perceived as snobbishness by others. This projection/perception distinction, however, I think is different from the type of snobbishness that is akin to girly-type cattiness.