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?

Tattoos. Lip filler, fake eye lashes, anything from Louis Vuitton. A combo of velvety mirrored decor, reminiscent of a strip club. All those naff posters and statues saying "Relax", "In this house we laugh, love, eat, prey, poop etc". Instagrammy decor that ends up looking like one of Ikea displays because it's created to look pretty, not to express any personality or individuality.

Tacky to me is in your face and ‘me,me,me’.
Agree with all those Moomin.

True class and manners is not pointing out someone's mispronunciation of a word, even better, to make them feel comfortable, you mispronounce it too in the following conversation.

Family on my husband's side have a very tacky habit of referring to things by the brand, so e.g. they ask where they can park the BMW, will tell you to put the milk in the Smeg, they take washing out of the Miele and so on. I had to run and hide the laugh when we were there and they told their toddler to 'turn on the Sony so you and xyz can watch a film...no not the LG the Sony'. That is tacky.

My grannies both had a horror of common - I think common these days has been replaced by tacky.

I'd be classed as common on Mumsnet.

I love Yankee candles and have a few on the shelf,
My children were football shirts, changing sequin and character clothes.
I have one small 'live, laugh, love' sign in my kitchen

I don't care. I buy things I want and like. Life is far too short to worry that people think you're common.

I don’t fancy having a football shirt, but do those changing sequin outfits come on adult sizes?

Just spotted the typo- they wear the clothes, my son wasn't once a football shirt!

I have no idea if they come in adult sizes, I'm massively cheap and only buy them from charity shops.

For me, being an old fashioned gal, 'tacky and common', 'vulgar' etc is to do with a lack of self discipline and self respect, good morals or manners; a tendency to ostentation or affectation also ( including unnecessary showiness/branding/posing).

I think people have very different ideas of things though - where does that come from? Personal experience or how they've been brought up? (Values, not socio-economic background)

I think white parties are tacky. No, I'm talking about far right politics but those parties which are particularly popular in Essex where everyone has to wear white outfits. Even worse they usually seem to think it's really classy.

I didn’t realise that white parties had made it over here. They are a Thing for the very very rich, upper-class WASPs who spend their summers in the Hamptons. I can’t see them translating successfully of that very specific context.

To get back to the original post.

All scented candles are tacky whether from Diptique or Aldi. The purpose of a candle is to provide light, anything else is unnecessary and so common/tacky.

@OhTheRoses I think a name change would be a good idea for you after this thread. How about... ohTheHyacinths

These threads are always the same, always. I find them fascinating as a non-UK person. Guess what, people with good taste, flair and style exist across all socioeconomic strata. Putting oneself in a box is sad and boring, even if you think your own box is the superior one.

I didn’t realise that white parties had made it over here. They are a Thing for the very very rich, upper-class WASPs who spend their summers in the Hamptons

Oh I didn't know that. They're definitely not upper class in the UK...very Essex, reality TV types

@OhTheRoses I really like you. Don’t name change.

What’s a white party?

In U.K. here. The only white patty reference I have is Real housewives of Beverly hills where Kyle throws a white party regularly (the last was actually a white and black party).

On that basis I’ve always assumed they were ‘tacky’/‘common’.

[quote Yankathebear]@OhTheRoses I really like you. Don’t name change.

What’s a white party?[/quote]
It is an essential part of an all inclusive holiday experience. Started with the 1970s club type resorts for the middle classes who didn’t own their own home in the med (club med, Mark Warner etc). Now it is mainstream at resorts.

AI as we all know is not tacky if Mark Warner but is tacky if Tui

Oh god I was about to say any all inclusive is tacky - but possibly not !? ?

If people describe things as tacky, common, chavvy etc, I think they are a twat and I pay them no more heed. It's not a mindset I have and I don't want to spend time with and have conversations with people who think that way and want to share those thoughts. It's boring.

@HeronLanyon

Oh god I was about to say any all inclusive is tacky - but possibly not !? ?

I was being tongue in cheek

A lodge at Centre Parks is not tacky according to mumsnet but a lodge at Haven i

Excellent mindset i walk’

Why are (all) AI tacky?

There isn’t anything objectively true about any of this so whatever we all individually think about eg all inclusive is just that a subjective thought, if any thought at all !

Cheap highly patterned clothing worn with black leggings (which the wearer is oblivious that you can see their knickers!)
Nasty Yankee candles
Bath Gift sets
Ostentatious real or fake designer handbags
Hairdos- High buns/ ponytails
My MIL would say that words like- toilet, settee,
Lounge, etc are all a no no

Smoking is tacky