To ask how do you know which things are 'tacky/common'?

[TheHydrangeas]

On here I sometimes see certain items, behaviours, homeware, fashion, makeup, etc classed as "tacky" or "common". Sometimes I can understand it, but other times it is things that seem pretty innocuous. Despite this you see this kind of unanimous belief that those things are "common". However I can't really find an underlying pattern to what is deemed to be tacky/common and what is not. Is there any kind of theme or pattern to this? One example is I remember reading a thread where a pretty popular brand of scented candles were classed as tacky.

I also want to say that I am not trying to portray other users negatively as judgemental or anything, we are all entitled to our opinions. I am just interested from a broader point of view - how do certain things become tacky or common?

DH was married previously and his ex wife and I are startlingly different uo thdcextengceven our 4yo son asked how daddy had married her and me when we were so opposire) DH always ssid he and EX wife had nothing much in common (I've met her and seen her house and this semes true). We laughed much when a couple of years ago we csmexaccross an article about what items are 'tacky and only common people' own. She owns and adores every one on the list (especially her super sized hot tub with flashing lights) we have never owned any. It was just so funny as it illustrates even more how utterly different they are in every way. He says the reason they got married wa 45 years ago he desperately needed a suitable Jewish wife and she seemed quite nice!😬

@CherryPavlova

You just know. Who gives a flying f*ck what others think?

No, you can’t be smart in leopard skin print anything.

Well there's two Mumsnetters who appear absolutely desperate to show "others" just how posh they are. Virtually everything they post is a not-so-humble brag about supper parties, private schools, weekend boltholes etc. They must give a flying fuck what others think else why would they do it?

@PicsInRed

It's all about class and shaming those of a lower class who dare to stop tugging their forlock for a moment to peacock a little.

"New money" is case in point. Think about how outlandish "old money" can be. I mean, just look at the State rooms of Buckinham Palace. Or Versailles. Versailles! The STATE of it. 🤣

Yes Versailles is the epitome of vulgar. All those "distressed" mirrors.

@SadiePurple 🤣

Prince Philip didn't spend his early infancy being brought up in the British upper class system.

Prince Philip was educated in the UK - Cheam and Gordonstoun. He definitely was brought up among the UK upper classes.

Also, the behaviour of groups like the Bullingdon Club demonstrate s pretty clearly that the upper classes are only courteous and polite when it suits them to be so. Is "doors rto manual" an example of courtesy? Racism and snobbery abound in the upper classes just as much as in others.

But you carry on convincing yourself that the upper classes are somehow superior....

@GlamGiraffe

DH was married previously and his ex wife and I are startlingly different uo thdcextengceven our 4yo son asked how daddy had married her and me when we were so opposire) DH always ssid he and EX wife had nothing much in common (I've met her and seen her house and this semes true). We laughed much when a couple of years ago we csmexaccross an article about what items are 'tacky and only common people' own. She owns and adores every one on the list (especially her super sized hot tub with flashing lights) we have never owned any. It was just so funny as it illustrates even more how utterly different they are in every way. He says the reason they got married wa 45 years ago he desperately needed a suitable Jewish wife and she seemed quite nice!😬

Well good on her then for owning and adoring everything she has.She sounds very happy and that's the main goal in life. I would love one of those inflatable hot tubs for the nice weather this week if I could find one anywhere!

On the topic of the whole grey interiors thing ... I need new carpets and while I DO agree that grey is overdone I feel it’s the only suitable neutral - I don’t think cream is right and I definitely don’t want brown. So I’m going to be one of these grey interiors people soon

@mrshoho
I have a wonderful inflatable hot tub...its a blue plastic paddling pool. Ot warms up in the sun then I empty it. It doesn't make a dwafenening roar all along the street and he the location for late night parties every night if the week though.
I too really lve my life, the difference is nothing in it is about what it looks like to other people. I font want to invite them on yours around my house?as soon as I meet them or point out my latest acquisitions etc. I happily live my life in private.

We laughed much when a couple of years ago we came accross an article about what items are 'tacky and only common people' own. She owns and adores every one on the list (especially her super sized hot tub with flashing lights) we have never owned any

You sound lovely.

I wonder, is it 'common' (or just plain unpleasant) to laugh about how tacky someone is, while making sure to spell out how unlike this person you are?

love her even more hearing how she has late night parties all week!

We laughed much when a couple of years ago we came accross an article about what items are 'tacky and only common people' own. She owns and adores every one on the list (especially her super sized hot tub with flashing lights) we have never owned any

Well, aren't you the charmer!? I couldn't care less about people's tastes, I judge them on their personality and you sound like someone I would run a mile from. I think it 'common' to have such a high opinion of yourself. It sounds as though you and your DH deserve each other, and his ex has had a lucky escape.

‘DH was married previously and his ex wife and I are startlingly different uo thdcextengceven our 4yo son asked how daddy had married her and me when we were so opposire‘

What a strange thing for a 4 year old to say, how does he even know your husbands ex wife from 45 years ago? Unless of course he’s heard you sneering at her.

Oh FGS, what's wrong with Yankee Candle?

The issue I have with them is that they're just so bloody big and ugly. There's not a home in the land where they'd look nice.

(I really like Shearer candles)

'anything glittered on children is tacky'
dd is nearly 4 and loves glittery clothes (well glitter anything) fgs wont someone think of the children

I love Yankee candles? 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Ontheroadtorecovery

'anything glittered on children is tacky' dd is nearly 4 and loves glittery clothes (well glitter anything) fgs wont someone think of the children

Can you imagine how wonderfully tacky, glittery and vibrant our homes and clothes would be if little kids got to choose the decor 😁

The raging snobbery from those in their ivory tower existence.
If I could visualise you in it. I'd imagine this ivory tower would have claw scratching from those scrambling trying to make it to the top.
UC stepping over MC.
MC desperately trying to catch up with UC.
LMC been sneered at my MC but it is okay they can step on WC to improve their race to the top.
It is embarrassing
Then there is the rebranded MC. I had a few of them as friends.
Brilliant they went on to achieve big thing's but unfortunately they stepped on that ladder too now they're judgey snobby dicks too.

It seems like a good time to re-share the list of Things Nicky Haslam Finds Common. You can get them on printed on a tea towel.

www.thepoke.co.uk/2019/03/10/list-things-society-designer-nicky-haslam-finds-common-funny-and-utterly-random/

They are hilarious.

We laughed much when a couple of years ago we came accross an article about what items are 'tacky and only common people' own. She owns and adores every one on the list (especially her super sized hot tub with flashing lights) we have never owned any

Phew! I am SO glad I’m not you! What a revolting and hateful attitude to have. I pity people like you - you sound miserable, arrogant and bitter. I also think acting like hyacinth bucket as you are is tacky as fck! It’s very embarrassing behaviour for an adult. I have 2nd hand embarrassment for you.

When we were getting ready the other day she told me she needs to look fabulous for the park so I can only imagine. I may ask the dc as I can't decide what colour to do my lounge I already have grey carpet and curtains so that is out according to mn

To me, tacky is anything bought by my friend. If she buys it, it means that the slebs are pushing it on insta, to her this means it's the height of "posh" and "classy" and the best way of showing everyone how much money she has.

To her, common would be the things I do, like allowing my DD to buy clothes in primark or the supermarket when I could afford "better "

We are friends because we can laugh about it.

I'm nosy. Why did Mr Giraffe have the desperate need for a wife? I can understand why she had to be Jewish if he was Jewish and want their kids to be fully accepted such everywhere. Why the urgency?
The first Mrs Giraffe seems to have taste that comes under the category "honest vulgarity".
It's a bit different from tacky.

Ime your mother tells you.

@GlummyMcGlummerson

My mum is very "in the know" about what is common and she would say:

• different coloured pegs on the same items of washing
• those soap dispenser bottles that are see-through with fish patterns on
• doing the lottery

When I was growing up tattoos were for "tarts and sailors" and not something for a "well brought up young lady". Short skirts and red lipstick were similarly to be avoided if you wanted to appear "respectable".

How long ago was that?

I don't know! And I don't really care what is tacky or common - if I like it I have it and use it, if I don't then I don't!