“Don’t be a snob” was a piece of advice and a path towards self-improvement I have received a while ago from a helpful friend. He made the comment after I posted yet another “what the hell is wrong with people at my gym” rant.
A snob?
The dictionary I consult explains that “a snob” is “a person with an exaggerated respect for high social position or wealth who seeks to associate with social superiors and dislikes people or activities regarded as lower-class”.
No, that doesn’t help at all.
Enter Urban Dictionary, the source where you can look up things like “tramp stamp” and other social phenomena that leave you clueless.
A snob is “anyone who thinks they are better than someone else based upon superficial factors”.
I think this is warmer. But still not very helpful.
Finally, I stumble across this definition:
“Someone who claims to be of higher intelligence than others, understands the finer things in life, and generally deems himself/herself a higher being than most others; they often refer to the ‘lesser beings’ as peasant or philistines. In simple terms, snobs are wankers.”
Hmmm… I am yet to refer to someone as a “lesser being”, or “a peasant”. Although I have to say, it is now incredibly tempting.
So, let’s see…
a) claims to be of higher intelligence than others
Meh. I am definitely of higher intelligence than some others, when it comes to certain things. When it comes to certain other things (and certain others), I am as dumb as a post. Then again, this probably applies to most of you.
[Oh, and it goes without saying that I am not allowed to operate any sort of machinery – including calculators – before I’ve had my coffee. Or maintain a coherent conversation for that matter.]
b) understands the finer things in life
Ahhhh. This is where I will gladly accept the label of a snob.
A language snob. A coffee snob. A beer snob. A wine snob (in the making). A cheese snob. A gym snob. A squat snob.
A proud snob at that.
Of course, if you still want to call me out on something or suggest a path for personal growth, call me out on anxiety, insecurity, emotional instability, high need for external validation, and the compensatory behaviours such as arrogance and love of all things controversial.
c) generally deems herself a higher being than most others
Unless we are in southern India, where I am literally higher than most other beings (like a foot taller, that is), then not really.
Although, for the sake of full disclosure… I have to admit that it is incredibly difficult to NOT feel superior to the “bro possy” at a typical gym. [Random fact – Urban Dictionary defines “possy” as a “larger cycle of homies”. It is also hard to NOT feel superior to those who still use the word “homies”.]
Aiming for gentleness and humility. Every day, damn it. It is the cross I bear.
So, to answer the helpful suggestion “don’t be a snob”…
I am not.
Except when I am. Pass the 40-month old Parmigiano, will ya?
YOUR TURN: Are you a snob?
Your favourite “wanker”, Solo