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?

It doesn't apply to men. This woman was bringing other women down. That's common tacky BS.

It's not true to say that all of the upper classes bumble around in festering rags. I won't go into too much detail, but in the industry that I am in, I spend everyday working closely with aristocracy and gentry and a lot of them love high end luxury brands. Of course they wouldn't be seen dead wearing anything from a designer 'outlet', or anything from a designer's 'defusion' line, wearing Gucci monogrammed lofas or carrying those ubiquitous LV 'Neverfull' bags.

However, the old school wealthy that I know love Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Givenchy, Chanel (nothing tacky about a classic Chanel suit or handbag), Hermes (loved by the Queen), Valentino, Burberry Prorsum, Ralph Lauren Purple Label. There is nothing tacky about these luxury labels.

There is a subtle but important distinction between 'luxury', 'designer', and 'premium' brands. They are all 'expensive' but 'luxury' brands will be at the to price point and therefore will be less attainable to even someone 'well off' but not necessarily 'wealthy'. They will also be of the highest possible quality compared to most 'designer' or 'premium' brands.

*top price point

Obvious displays of wealth or ATTEMPTED displays of wealth are the worst. WAGs in range rovers with branded bags and 'Chanel' sofa cushions. Handbags are fine if they're not flaunted on social media. A Range Rover is fine if you drive it and park it considerably. Personalised plates are tacky as shit as it's making sure you know who owns the expensive car.

True class/wealth don't need to flaunt it as they've got nothing to prove. See aristocracy in battered cars with old motheaten tweed coats, not shiny new Belstaff jackets.

Tacky can be mixed with gaudy, see tinsel, outdoor Christmas lights, excessive Easter/Halloween decorations, 'gender reveal' parties, cake smashes, £1000 birthday gifts for 1 year olds etc. Things that are an unnecessary waste of money purely for social media

@coldplay

Everyone's view of what is tacky is different... I live in a city with a lot of working class neighbourhoods and in my view, based on experience, the following things are tacky/common.

• babies with unusual American type names. That are supposed to be different but they aren't because so many others have had the same idea.
• eyelash extensions. Just no. If you are going somewhere special, stick on some strip lashes.
• very long plastic nail extensions
• overly inflated lips
• anything branded with Michael kors
• houses with excessive ornaments on display outside or visible from windows
• kids going to school with all matching frilly elaborate hair accessories, usually holding up 2 high buns, scraped so tightly to the child's head, she is bound to have a terrible headache.
• crushed velvet sofas and curtains (think mrs hinch)
• Mirrored furniture and elaborate centrepieces with crushed glass. So expensive and terribly gaudy.
• small children in branded sports wear
• babies with their ears pierced, bangles era
• elaborate christening robes / holy communion dresses

The list goes on

Disclaimer, this is my opinion only!

Personalised glitter wine glasses too..

I agree with everything you've just stated 😂

@Bluesheep8

I heard someone call tattooes Tramp Stamps once. Not saying I agree...

I thought a tramp stamp was a tattoo on the small of the back? Otherwise known as a cum target

Sorry that’s been covered already rtft before posting me.

I thought a tramp stamp was a tattoo on the small of the back? Otherwise known as a cum target

Ewwww! That's HORRIBLE

The vast majority of tattoos look spectacularly naff. The only decent ones I recall were on the legs of a couple of Maori brothers I used to play rugby with. Several years back it seemed getting some mystical Thai proverb tattooed on your wrist was all the rage with people thinking they were being all deep and profound. I always secretly hoped that the tattoo artist was penning 'I am a twat' on their arms in Thai before making up some bollocks to explain it.

'it means one who draws strength from the soaring eagles in the mountain and has the wisdom of the gods'

'oh wow man, great, I am going to bore the tits off everyone I meet now explaining its meaning while trying to pass myself off as being on a higher plane of understanding'

oh wow man, great, I am going to bore the tits off everyone I meet now explaining its meaning while trying to pass myself off as being on a higher plane of understanding'

Or maybe they just liked the design? 🙄

missarks, I agree with what you and coldplay have said and would add tattoos to the list. I am longing for the day when the fashion comes to an end and only sailors have tattoos.

Lol based on poppy's list it's all over

@D4rwin what's wrong with corner sofas?

Urgh.....and this thread turns into another mn tattoo bashing.

You can't wait until they fall out of fashion. Why the fuck do you care what people have on their bodies.

I'm not saying tattoos are classy. They're a fashion statement or a keepsake/memorial/memento or just a bit of fun. Some people try and put meaning on them but they're still mainly a fashion statement.

I've never been bored by someone's story of their tattoo, I know lots of people with tattoos and never been told an attached story. Most people with foreign language tattoos did so as a keepsake when they were in that country or because it was the fashion at the time (thanks Beckhams) no boring story attached.

I can't understand how having a picture on your arm or a bit of writing on your wrist can cause so much hate and vitriol. No ones gonna make you have one if you don't want one.

I don't think tattoos are being singled out here, in this long, long, long list of all things tacky. Nobody who goes out to get a tattoo is thinking ''what I really want to convey here is ........class '' so it's a bit touchy to be irritated that tattoos make this list. It's a long list. Where's the hate and vitriol. Candles and credit cards made the list too so relax.

I don't think tattoos are classy and never said they are. But mn has a history of slagging off people with tattoos.

From the last two pages it looks like the thread is turning into another mm tattoo pile on.

I think tattoos can be beautiful. (And can be tacky, any art form can if it tries).

Tacky is different from 'common'. Tacky means in poor taste (hard to define objectively but still a thing). 'Common' is a classist comment it's hard not to dislike.

I love tacky and common but we call it "kitsch"!

My fiancé and I have decided that when we get married (non-traditional wedding), we are going to invite guests to make a charity donation but also if they'd like to join in with a game of "Buy a novelty" Challenge for a fun gift table!! They are allowed to spend the very maximum of a tenner to buy something fun (not rude!) and we will be opening them all with out three kids as part of the evening celebrations 😆

Being loud in public
Talking loudly in restaurants (other diners should not be able to hear your conversation)
Drenching your entire meal in gravy
Ketchup bottles on the table
Adding salt to your meal before you have tasted it
Not using your napkin whilst eating
Cutting instead of tearing your bread roll
Chewing gum
Using bad language when you don’t know your audience
Being over friendly or familiar with complete strangers

According to my DM and GM back in the 60s, my niece wearing a black chiffon scarf on her way to the local dance hall was the epitome of common.