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AIBU?

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To think that “posh” isn’t a compliment

81 replies

DownsideUpside · 01/07/2025 11:05

I might be alone here but some members of my family have a habit of calling anything nice/new “a bit posh”.
I can’t help but take offence a bit, as it always sounds a bit snide and not a genuine compliment.
Eg. New stair carpet…Could say “oh I like your new stair carpet” but no they say “oh new stair carpet? Very posh.”
eg. Decorated DS bedroom. Could say “your new room looks great!” But no they say “oh your new room is a bit posh isn’t it”

It’s almost like I can hear a little eye-roll with it. Like they are acknowledging that yes it’s a nice new thing but kind of disapproving of it?? Why can’t they just say something is nice.

Without trying to be ageist all the family members who do this are 60+. Is it a generational thing? The way they talk about something being “posh” generally tends to be quite or disapproving.. “did you see Julie down the road in her new car, bit posh isn’t it, tut tut”

It’s also not jealousy, they have plenty of money and could get new stair carpet every week if they wished.

aibu to wish they could just say oh that’s a nice lampshade and not ooooh it’s a bit posh in here now with that lampshade

  • edit to add the lampshade isn’t posh! It’s from Asda!
OP posts:
Marmaladelover · 01/07/2025 11:24

My MIL does this . It is rude , even DH gets fed up with it . Its a form of inverse snobbery and a bit of martyrdom thrown in .

Eldermileniummam · 01/07/2025 11:22

I know what you mean OP but don't think it's that deep

PollyBell · 01/07/2025 11:22

I cant feel the need to get that worked up about it to be perfectly honest

Ivereallyhadenough · 01/07/2025 11:17

I agree with you OP.

I see it as rather a snidey put down.

DownsideUpside · 01/07/2025 11:10

MidnightPatrol · 01/07/2025 11:07

I think you are reading into it too much.

It’s just a way of saying it’s nice.

I hope so, I just always feel this undercurrent of disapproval, maybe they’re implying that we are crassly showing off our enormous wealth with this “posh” new lampshade from Asda! 🤣

OP posts:
MidnightPatrol · 01/07/2025 11:07

I think you are reading into it too much.

It’s just a way of saying it’s nice.

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