What makes a person 'common'?

[Karlwho]

In your opinion. Just interested.

but I don’t think anyone can look at someone with tattoos and think they’re common anymore.

I do, sorry.

To my mind, the most reliable indicator is being loud in public.

Tight bun/big earrings/cigarette/pram/baby swilling something orange in its bottle.

Quite a few people I know can do everything on that list, and they're not particularly privileged. My guess is that people you know can as well, but they don't talk about it. I work in a STEM field, and people might assume I don't have any artistic interests because I don't talk about them except with others who share the interest.

When I was growing up, about 100 years ago, my mother used to say that women smoking in the street was 'common'. Also drunk women, women eating in the street, women with bare legs ... lots of stuff about women, but I never heard saying anything that made a man 'common'.

Are posters seeing common and chavvy as the same thing? The Duchess of Cambridge is a commoner - does she sport tats, drink Red Bull and spit in the street? I think not. 😁 Pulps "Common People" just meant ordinary or normal - like eating mushy peas and chips; not necessarily going all-out down chav street.

Having said that men that do that proud public burp thing is terribly common .....bet Kate would never do that!

I think a pre-occupation with what does or does not constitute 'common' and a fear of being thought common, are very common! A la Hyacinth Bucket!

Lack of social awareness, bring too loud when inappropriate, poor manners

@weleasewoderick22

Good point!

Lack of manners, very loud, swearing a lot! Not educated, smoking (esp round kids), there’s a certain look, usually very ostentatious branding on clothes

Wearing Pj’s in the street or anywhere else other than in a building where they plan to sleep.

People who take their kids to the pub until silly o’clock at night just so they can get pissed.

Eating Greggs sausage rolls and pasties from the wrapper whilst walking in the street.

Adult men who wear football shirts on holiday.

People who stand up on planes for the whole flight whilst getting pissed with their mates.

Men who walk round in the UK with no tops on when the sun comes out.

Lads/men who walk down the street playing with their dicks with hands inside hideously fitting tracksuit bottoms.

not lifting ornaments when you dust

This isn’t common, just lazy 😂😂

NoSauce

I know! If I went to someone’s house who had karate chopped cushions, I would feel an overpowering urge to plump them and put them straight 😂😂

Omg I’ve just thought of another one! People that shout “see ya laer*( that’s later but not pronouncing the “t”) when saying goodbye to someone. This one really grates on my nerves!

My Mum used to consider it common to watch ITV

Teaching toddlers to say "ta" instead of thank you.

Pretending you never think of people as being "common", "chavvy", etc

probably get blasted for this but not pronouncing your h's & t's

As a child I had a 'posh' great aunt who took us children to task for using the word 'bum' when referring to the posterior - it should be 'bottom.'
That obviously stuck with me because I have done that ever since. My (grown up) son thinks this is hilarious, for some reason!

Swearing

Fuck Off

Men who walk round in the UK with no tops on when the sun comes out.

Lads/men who walk down the street playing with their dicks with hands inside hideously fitting tracksuit bottoms.

I agree.
Often these men are the ones waiting outside the club for it to open on a weekend because what dad wouldn't spend a lovely sunny afternoon topless out the club drinking from 12 noon. Far more preferable than parenting. If you're lucky, the Missus will bring the kids across later for an hour or so.

Speak and write properly in English and at least one other language
Play at least one musical instrument well
Draw, paint, or do some other form of fine art well
Have read most of the literature in the Western canon, whenever possible in the original language
Understand enough science and mathematics to intelligently consider and discuss key issues that affect our world, such as climate change, vaccination, etc

Mumsnet gold right here!

Absolutely @formerbabe
@goosebabybarn for the win

Lack of or iffy morals/character.

Rude/inconsiderate.

Lack of compassion/humanity and tolerance.

Lack of empathy.

Oh and taking pride in ignorance.

tighnabruich I’ve certainly come across taboos on those things for both sexes - I had a boyfriend who wouldn’t smoke while walking in the street, we had to find a bench or other place to stop, this was clearly to avoid being common. Eating while walking in the street used to be a big no no in my profession for everyone involved, not just women. I think the fact that we don’t really allow eating back in the office either lead people to gradually lose patience with that one!

Juicy couture tracksuits.