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?

Some things are tacky by association rather than tacky standalone. To say Range Rover is now tacky is perhaps going too far. Depends on who is driving it. Someone wearing Velour tracksuit, filled lips, hair extensions stepping out of it, makes it tacky. The you see farmers driving them around in their overalls, which changes the connotation altogether.

People judging others to make themselves feel better need to get a life. It's so boring.

I consider personal number plates tacky too

Good! I love mine and couldn’t give a toss if someone else finds it tacky. The tackier the better in fact 👍

@sst1234

Some things are tacky by association rather than tacky standalone. To say Range Rover is now tacky is perhaps going too far. Depends on who is driving it. Someone wearing Velour tracksuit, filled lips, hair extensions stepping out of it, makes it tacky. The you see farmers driving them around in their overalls, which changes the connotation altogether.

And as if by magic......

The snobbery doesn't even try to hide!

I see you are a teacher... Christ that's depressing.

It was indeed depressing, we needed a bit of light-hearted chat to break the tedium!

We used to have a private numberplate, but it was personalised to the car (if that makes sense - it was a specific model). It was on the car when we bought it second hand, and was still there when we sold it several years later.

I bet people were judging like mad, but we just chose the car we wanted and we were never going to go to the hassle of changing the plate just so as not to look 'common'.

I think it might be when function gets outweighed by embellishment. So a beaten up Series 2 or 3 Land Rover or an older style Range Rover is OK but the strange new Range Rovers with tiny windows and all the bells and whistles are a bit tacky.

Similarly shiny saddle cloths and too much bling on either a horse or a rider can be viewed as tacky. Unless it’s on a dressage horse or a SJ rider, in which case it’s fine 😂

Like what you like. Worrying about what others think is social climbing Hyacinth Bucket land. Not every wealthy person has good taste, not every wealthy person is upper class, not every upper class person is wealthy.

Things that are "common" according to my (as working class as you can get) mum.

Tinned carrots/peas (unless mushy peas)
Fussels on strawberries in place of cream
Women drinking pints
Smoking/drinking/eating in the street
Swearing.
Chewing gum.
Spitting. (Filthy , as well as common)
Having bottles/jars on the table. (Should be decanter into jugs/glass/serving bowls.

It was indeed depressing, we needed a bit of light-hearted chat to break the tedium!

?

Has nobody said leather skirts? My mother never liked them. She never came right out and said why she didn't like them, but I think it was the c word I feel a bit shabby typing that.

It's not about cost it's about taste.

I cannot get my head around why Range Rovers are seen as tacky. Is it their size? Is it because they are popular and sought after?

I think the RR thing only translates in certain areas. In the suburbs lots of people drive the flashy all the bells and whistle models especially in white, and they hold a certain kind of status.

It's probably not the same in the country.

ImFree2doasiwant

I love your Mum even though I've had a few pints in my youth.

@blurpityblurp it is magnificent. My husband doesn’t agree though, so I thought I would buy him these for his birthday, he is sure to fall in love then...

I love a bit of tack, the more garish the better. Leopard print, royal family memorabilia, any kind of kitschy souvenirs etc.
What I actually think is tacky is anything that is kind of ubiquitous and flashy: Michael Kors anything, Uggs, huge sofas in silver crushed velvet, mirrored furniture etc etc

@HavelockVetinari Just replying to your comment (albeit two days later so could be very ‘cancel the cheque’ 🤣)
Presumably in that instance it’s because someone might appear to be trying too hard to show they have money? 🤷🏻‍♀️

@louderthan oh goodness do not get me started on crushed velvet furniture. The bed frames are the absolute worst. I reckon the Devil himself sleeps on one of those

@Caplin have you seen the KFC tracksuit?

Absolutely 😂😂😂The arrogance of believing anyone aspires to a house that smells of wet dog! The UC have conned the lot of you into believing they are superior and you fell for it - who are the fools?

Exactly as a furriner, this is my outsider’s view. People have been conned by the upper classes to think their taste is better. And it is so funny to see people tumbling over themselves to confirm this. Range Rover fine if driven by the Queen, but suddenly not fine if driven by someone perceived to be acting above their station? Really?

@ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble I haven’t, but I will now check it out!

Have you seen the KFC crocs?

Stay classy !

@ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble ok, that has blown my mind!!!!

greensidepark it is indeed confusing lol at ‘furriner’ native speaker already - Somerset ?

But that will give the colonel two heads - the design (if worn together) i mean. As if one piece isn’t bad enough !