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?

@MereDintofPandiculation

And I’ve found the higher their class the nicer they are. It's easy to be nice if you have either wealth or "social capital". Life does not seem to be against you in the way it does if you have neither.

It's because they've had good manners, courtesy and politeness drummed into them from early infancy and it's a hard habit to break.

No point posting then is there Thisismytimetoshine. I don't really give a flying fuck but clearly you do. Here you go - branded Asprey hammer and chisel to work away at that very tacky old chip on your shoulder.

@HeronLanyon

I’ve not heard of a Yankee candle. In the context of this thread I’m not sure what that means but it’s making it hard to follow !

You could have googled in far less time than you spent typing that post

this thanks for the tip. I was making a funny comment. If you didn’t get it that’s fine.

It wasn't funny 🤷🏻‍♀️

This is a website where users look down on Lindt and Ferroro Rocher and god forbid you have Bayliss & Harding in your downstairs loo. It's simply not representative of reality

this you made that clear

There is a cloying air of snobbery on this thread...

@Grottyfeet

Oh FGS, what's wrong with Yankee Candle?

Exactly !

They are expensive too :)

I really don't think that's so Dipi. It's just hilariously funny. Oh where did the old MNet go?

Ned and Lally get to fucking bed will you

I wonder how many people stop themselves from buying/owning something they like/want because it either is, or in time become tacky and common.

That's rather sad really and as obsessed with looks and image as the ones they consider tacky and common.

I'm tacky and common, so are my tastes, my flat etc... but at least I actually like absolutely everything I've bought and it hasn't been determined by fashion/style/other's opinion.

But then again I wear cat shoes.

I think tacky generally jeans to me lacking in taste, perhaps a low quality or showy.

Common though I'd consider more derogatory and is used here and other places in a far more judgemental way .

what about supermarket smelly candles? If yankee are common/tacky what do these fall into? I have some in a little tin I light when the cat shits in his litterbox.

There is a strong whiff of Hyacinth Bucket on this thread

Labels, brands..if it's obviously labelled or branded, then it's common. If it's obviously fake ( nails, fur, eyelashes) it's common. If it's garish, ditto.
Personally, I do sometimes err on the side of garish, I do love colour.

Common or tacky behaviour would include thing that adversely affect other people, the converse of good manners. One's behaviour shouldn't make other people feel uncomfortable. Being rude to waiters or shop assistants is tacky.
There are also certain things that ladies don't do, like flashing your knickers, smoking or eating in the street, shouting like a fishwife, getting obviously drunk in public. Discretion is a basic requirement.

So many interesting replies, thank you! I find the whole concept so interesting.

It seems that a lot of it is about appropriateness? For example over the top nails, makeup and hairstyles may be classed as tacky if paired with a casual outfit worn to the supermarket but maybe not if dressed up for an evening event? Likewise crushed velvet may be viewed as tacky in a standard family home but maybe wouldn't in a sleek city flat?

I guess with brands it seems to become tacky when it becomes a symbol of wealth in its own right and then becomes wanted solely because it's a symbol rather than because of the product itself. I think this may explain why white 4x4s have been described in this thread as tacky - because they wouldn't ever be pristine and white if they were used for their intended purpose of driving down muddy rural roads.

@DelphiniumBlue flashing knickers is obvs a no no. But what about going commando When nobody knows

This discussion reminds me of a book we found in our holiday house back in the mid 90s. It was called 'The Book of Naff' or something along those lines, and basically was a long list of what was 'naff' (the retro word for tacky I guess!) I seem to remember fake marble, carriage clocks and fur coats were amongst the many offenders must see if I can hunt it down

Home Bargain candles kick all the posh candles arses for value and scent. £2.99 and the gingerbread one smells like Christmas.

I think people are too eager to find things to look down upon to boost their own self esteem. The whole bucket of crabs theory really.

OhThe Roses I know of no rules regarding commandoness! Discretion is the appropriate guideline here, I feel!

I think it’s got something to do with effort.
So buying something branded/ trendy/ popular in order to achieve a look that isn’t really you.

So footballers wives ( and footballers ) buy ubiquitous branded stuff because they haven’t got a look of their own and want to be seen as footballers and footballers rubies. And then this is copied by a legion of ( for want of a better word) Essex girks who are inspiring to marry a footballers and Essex boys who want to be minted.And that look is copied by others who would like to look like Essex girls and boys.
Posh people all look the same but they are all the same. They don’t have to aspire to anything.

Same with houses. Everyone apparently wants to live somewhere that looks like a hotel. But even expensive houses look tacky and try hard with their new shiny stuff and finishing touches. The best houses look like clean and tidy representations of their owners.

I think.

@LizzieBennett70

There is a strong whiff of Hyacinth Bucket on this thread

Is that Yankee Candle's latest scent?

In a limited edition mirrored jar and the colour of the synthetic wax would have to be grey. To match all those interiors

If you judge people for being common based on what they like or the trends they follow, frankly you're a bit small minded and insecure. It's almost as stupid as judging someone by their job.

I agree with this.

crushed velvet may be viewed as tacky in a standard family home but maybe wouldn't in a sleek city flat?

So someone who lives in a standard home and really likes crushed velvet should know their place and buy something else? How depressing.

The whole thing is just shitty snobbery. I dont wear brands etc, but life is far too short to waste my time looking down on those who do.

I judge people for wearing inappropriate clothes if they turn up to a hike in stilettoes. Otherwise? Crack on and wear what you like.

To me - it's just things that are OTT (huge eyebrows, lips) or things (tattoos, large breast implants) are that long lasting that are going to look more hideous in a few years time than they do now on people that don't have the intelligence to realise.

Also, I once bumped into Prince Charles in the Highlands. His car was parked nearby, and two men were parked at the end of the valley, who were very obviously his security. Both cars were shiny new black range rovers. So yes, the royal family would and do buy black range rovers.