William Thackeray had it correct when he said "he who admires mean things is a snob". Snobs have all the things you wish you had: sleek phones, cars, trendy and pricy brandname clothing, the best hair stylists and to-die-for handbags or shoes. They place high importance on material goods and importance, and feel they are higher than others and enjoy this exclusion. Of course, real worth should be placed on character and actions not what color Christian Louboutin pumps you have on or Audi convertible you're driving. Snobs have nannies and would brag about their private school education, second homes and vacation snobs if they have these. But they are just people like you and me and there's something to know about them.
1. Just because they "look" like they have money doesn't necessarily mean they do. People will go to great measures to fit in with a certain kind of society, and may be in deep debt thanks to splurging on luxury items they certainly cannot afford. These kind of snobs are usually the meanest, because they are trying to please those with higher statuses and to define themselves as affluent, classy and well-off.
2. They are just one of many sheep. If you see everybody with the same strollers, shoes, Lululemon sweatpants and cup of Starbucks coffee it's because they are afraid of creating their own identity. These people may have money to splurge, but don't expect them to have the strongest sense of self.
3. Having money doesn't necessarily make them happy. We all know the saying "Money doesn't buy happiness" and this actually rings true. Affluent husbands are out there cheating on wives, wives are secretly doing cocaine and kids are growing up more screwed up than ever in these wealthy homes. You think everything is all cheery behind those cherry wood doors? Think again. Privileged teens are more unhappy than middle-class teens and experience a lot of pressure to exceed well in school and extra-curricular activities, and face higher drug use rates, depression and anxiety. Yes, they have shrinks but you'll see the self-cutters and alcohol abusers everywhere. Spousal fights and divorces are high here too, and "helicopter" parents are doing everything for their precious little children so these kids do not learn independence and what the real world is like. When trouble hits, expect these kids to crumble quickly. Shielding them from the world isn't always the best way to go.
4. Whatever is "cool" is what they will do. The hippest new sushi spot? Fair-trade coffee? Studded stilettos? Snobs will jump onto these bandwagons the minute they're deemed trendy. Is Bonaire the new vacation spot? Expect them there. There is nothing wrong with this, but they would rather dead than caught partying at a bar that was so 5 minutes ago.
5. These people place extremely high importance on materialistic goods. Family values and family time are pushed back as these people work, work, work to come up with money to afford their luxury cars, boats, cottages, their children's expensive toys (PS3s and XBoxes, etc) and their daughter's shopping habits. Money is their God, whether they like to admit it or not. They send their children to overpriced private schools because they want them to grow up and make good money, even if they can be just as successful after attending a regular public school. There is more quantity in life than quality of life, and even though the best things are free like a nice stroll through a park or doing something fun, these people are too busy showing off their Yorkie designer dogs, designer baby clothes and fancy bags to notice the beauty of things that come without a price tag.
6. They do not like minorities. Rich people live in separate exclusive neighbourhoods and band together. You will notice the sprawling estates and Mercedes Benzes and a bevy of nannies toting little blond haired children in these areas. While these people will be quick to say "Oh, I have a Black friend!" and "I love Korean food!" they like to enjoy diverse culture but not in their own communities. Many believe that other races are inferior to their own, and are pros at ostracizing other races and cultures and making them feel unwanted. It's sad but just because you're there, doesn't mean you belong.
7. Being rich doesn't make you a snob automatically and being poor doesn't stop you from being a snob. The opposite of a snob is someone who is openminded, tolerant and accepting of others regardless of their material posessions, race, class and status. Rich people may be humble and kind, may have worked hard and struggled to get where they are and practice equality while some poorer people place all their importance on their appearance and will be quick to judge someone who doesn't "fit their bill". If you don't look rich enough, expect to get the cold shoulder. Overall, it's better just to be nice and accept people for they are. You never know where you'll find a real friend (hint: it's not Saks Fifth Avenue!)
With that said, I hope next time someone acts snobby or coldly towards you, you remember that they are not better than you.
Editor
M.B
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