Does this constitute snobbery?

[Richard Barrett]

I don’t think you are diagreeing, rfg said we are considered to be, not that we are snobs!

I am disagreeing! I don't think most people would consider me a snob. But maybe they would.

[french frank]

I am disagreeing! I don't think most people would consider me a snob. But maybe they would.

But … rfg said: "There is some irony in this thread because for about 99% of the outside world, most Forumites are already considered snobs."

Most Forumites, not all Forumites. He didn't mean you. Necessarily.

[greenilex]

Sine nobilta...says more about the name caller, imo.

[Sir Velo]

At the risk of flagellating a long since deceased equine, I think a large number of posts are missing the point. Surely anyone who has reached the age of 58 without at least hearing of Kafka (NB hearing of - ie admitting the existence of, not having failed to write a doctorate on the subject!) is someone who has exhibited a profound lack of intellectual curiosity in their lives.

If "Derrida" or "Eco" had been substituted then I think some slack might legitimately be granted, but Kafkaesque is a byword and that, and for no other reason, indicates this person's profound lack of sympathy for the arts, and consequently someone whom I think most of us would find difficult to admit to a close acquaintance. The fact that many forumites have decided she is an intensely lovable good samaritan who helps old people and lame dogs cross roads is frankly not worth considering!

[Pulcinella]

Surely there's a world of difference between behaving like a snob (and/or being one but keeping it to oneself) and being merely () a member of a fairly small (some might say elite) group, be it classical music lovers, those with knowledge of Kafka and his works, or those who can reel off every goal scored in a World Cup tournament?

[Richard Barrett]

Most Forumites, not all Forumites. He didn't mean you. Necessarily.

No, I'm sure I wasn't being singled out, but I just don't agree that liking "classical" music in itself makes anyone a snob in the eyes of 99% of people. Maybe that's naive of me.

[eighthobstruction]

Feel free to do so!
I've been round at the Community Centre drinking coffee and playing board games involving varying degrees of childish fun. Imagine my horror when I discovered that none of the people at my table know Martinu's first name.

....

[eighthobstruction]

I think a large number of posts are missing the point. !

Aye - aye- aye....careful buster....Pwshhhh....I Said Careful Buster....HmmmmmmmmmmmmEH?

[Bryn]

No, I'm sure I wasn't being singled out, but I just don't agree that liking "classical" music in itself makes anyone a snob in the eyes of 99% of people. Maybe that's naive of me.

A penchant for 'classical' music may make one appear weird, but not necessarily a snob.

[french frank]

No, I'm sure I wasn't being singled out, but I just don't agree that liking "classical" music in itself makes anyone a snob in the eyes of 99% of people. Maybe that's naive of me.

No, I also think it unlikely, because a number probably quite close to 99% never give the matter a single thought, ever. And, of those who do, an unguessable number consider that anyone who enjoys classical music, opera, ballet, foreign films, Modern Art and that kind of thing are elitists and snobs. Which is to say they don't enjoy such forms of art and - who knows? - perhaps even have a feeling that it is something above them, from which they are deliberately being excluded (not that they particularly want to be included but they just don't like being excluded by snobs and elitists).

There are also those, again an unguessable number of anti-elitists who, while enjoying the aforementioned arts themselves, nevertheless believe that snobs and elitists (which they most certainly are not) are excluding people who might wish to be included. They therefore go out of their way (noblesse oblige, after all) to include the excluded by stooping down to their humble level.

[Richard Barrett]

There are also those, again an unguessable number of anti-elitists who, while enjoying the aforementioned arts themselves, nevertheless believe that snobs and elitists (which they most certainly are not) are excluding people who might wish to be included.

My head is spinning now!

[LMcD]

Oh no, I've never heard of either of these people. I'd better retire to my study with my revolver and do the decent thing.

Could I suggest you read 'Metamorphosis' or 'The Trial' before you do something irrevocable?

[Richard Barrett]

Could I suggest you read 'Metamorphosis' or 'The Trial' before you do something irrevocable?

Who was it wrote those again?

[LMcD]

A penchant for 'classical' music may make one appear weird, but not necessarily a snob.

I'll happily settle for that!

[LMcD]

Who was it wrote those again?

Frank Capra - DO try to keep up!