To ask what things you consider to be of “good taste”

[Dylaninthemovies1]

Well... I was going to say “classy” but I don’t think that’s a particularly classy word!

Following on from the “tacky/common” thread. What sort of things would you say are “good taste” “middle class” etc

I’ll start... appletiser

[Dylaninthemovies1]

@Magnetfisher I honestly don’t know a single person who lets their kids have coke or other fizzy drinks these days. Apparently years ago kids were allowed beer, and medicine with other dubious stuff in it. I think fizzy drinks are going that way too where kids won’t be allowed them

[Dylaninthemovies1]

But shloer. Well, I’d like to like it, but it just doesn’t taste nice

[nitsandwormsdodger]

dylaninthemovies you can't change your social class that is fixed it does not change with money

[HeronLanyon]

We weren’t allowed appletise as kids - seen as full of sugar/expensive rubbish/not necessary. Was lumped in with all squashes etc. Haven’t thought of it for a long time - didn’t know it was still available. I have no idea how it is seen now but surprised by this thread on this vital issue.

[Pluckedpencil]

Solid furniture that is built to last - antique or modern.

Fresh flowers in beautiful vases.

Lots and lots of books.

[HeronLanyon]

The problem with this question is that everyone will consider themselves to have good taste.
Some will think ‘a lot of books’ are pointless dusty cluttery etc. Others will they are essential or a given.

There isn’t, in truth, an objective ‘taste measure’.

there is however a power/class/voice inequality where the middle and upper classes influence and seem to be able to define what is ‘good taste’.

[Bluesheep8]

Well I must have good taste then:

Ikea hemnes daybed
Thousands of books on built in shelves
Radio 4

Not sure why some people equate good taste with class though...I am most definitely working class.

[MaskingForIt]

Items made from natural materials, not imitation copies.

An unbranded leather bag rather than a showy pleather bag with plastic clips.
Real rattan garden furniture rather than knock-off woven plastic fake rattan.
Wool rugs rather than polyester (plastic) rugs.
Sheepskin slippers rather than fluffy fake fur artificial suede.
Wooden furniture with knocks and scrapes which polish out rather than plastic-covered MDF furniture which looks awful once it’s had a few knocks.

[clairedelalune]

Appletise is apple juice. That has been carbonated.
But yes, it is lovely.

[rc22]

I would add Orangina to the middle class soft drinks list. Should certainly be chosen over Tango or Fanta if you wish to appear to have good taste!!

Smaller, discreet TV screens over large, wall mounted ones. Suggests the owner doesn't watch much telly and spends their time doing more worthy things!!

[Mothermorph]

I thought good taste was....a matter of taste (as in not everyone will think the same!)
If you asked people of different genders, ages, backgrounds, cultures to decorate a room in a tasteful way, I'm sure you'd come out with wildly varying options but to each individual it would be in good taste?

[BlenheimOrange]

Not sure whether appletise is ‘tasteful’ but for me it’s still the height of sophistication - when I was a kid I was allowed one at the interval if we went to the theatre swoons

My Barbour jacket was not posh when new but is now so faded and old it probably is. Unfortunately I am also now getting a bit fat for it, will have to start again

[StCharlotte]

@Finkelbraun

Anything by Oka. Whoever said you can't buy good taste had clearly never shopped at Oka.

You do need to be minted though

My dinner service (what's left of it ) came from Oka nearly 20 years ago when it was still within financial touching distance. To cut a very long story, they ended up couriering part of it to me on a motorbike

I bought it in their Parsons Green store and was served by one of the founders. Their customer service was second to none.

[TheTurnOfTheScrew]

urgh. I hate the fetishization of "thousands of books" like they're an interior design accessory. I read, but happily borrow, download or pass on the majority of what I read. Piles of books you'll never read again (and you won't, not if you want to read plenty of new ones as well) are just pretentious clutter.

[StCharlotte]

@Dylaninthemovies1

Oh no *@Persephonecall*. I have to disagree. It’s the most sophisticated drink. I believe it’s actually served at the ambassadors reception in some countries where alcohol is frowned upon

I can verify this.

(Assuming you saw my post on a previous thread).

However I'm not sure the great and good of Bahrain are famed for their good taste.

[MaskingForIt]

@TheTurnOfTheScrew I quite agree. Having lots of books means nothing if you don’t read them and aren’t well-read. Books can also be bought by the meter as shelf-fillers.

[StCharlotte]

@300XLTriColour

Not my list ... wonder if anyone recognises where this is from:

Brown bread
Radio 4
Classic fm
Anything made by an Artisan
Golf
Wimbledon
Jazz
The Tate
Sailing
Fountain Pens
Skiing
Cheese
Seafood
Wine you can’t buy in a supermarket
Coffee beans
Manuka honey
Kent

GOLF????

The sport that taste forgot!

Unless they mean a VW Golf I suppose.

[Boiledeggandtoast]

Classic FM?!? Surely you mean Radio 3?

[CottonEyeJo]

Clothes that fit properly - and are appropriate for the occasion.

So not lingerie-esque basque tops whilst shopping during the day, or crop tops off beaches/swimming areas

[SerenDippitty]

I often feel judged by DB for having a big telly in our living room (we do have a bookcase too). DB has floor to ceiling bookshelves and no TV though he does stream TV on his laptop. The thing is we have loads of books elsewhere in the house they are just not all on display in our living room!

[Mothermorph]

My DC have lots of books but me and DH rarely read. There are very few books in our house.(but our tv is smallif that compensates!😂)

[Mothermorph]

In our house -

Anything made by an Artisan if its labelled artisan it's likely to be poncy and overpriced!

...and cheese could be anything from babybel to stinking bishop so not sure that qualifies as high class or whatever the category we are meant to aspiring to!

[CorianderLord]

Yoga, muck boots, LuLuLemon

[ShebaShimmyShake]

I think the very fact that there's never any clear consensus on any of these threads shows just what a load of subjective (and made up) bollocks it largely is. But it also shows how hugely important it is to many posters.

[TheWayOfTheWorld]

@MotheringShites

I am fascinated by social class too, OP. My children go to a school with a mix of social classes (private so mostly all comfortably off financially - this isn’t a money thing). People have very clearly broken off into their natural tribes.

Black labs vs Doodle crosses
Volvos vs Range Rovers
France/Cornwall vs Florida/the Algarve
Period properties vs custom new builds

Obviously all the former are considered “better taste” but I’m firmly in the latter camp!

Oo, I have a Volvo and go to France

But then I am also from a solidly working class background (council house, whole family smoked, father a manual worker, mum house wife) I was first to go to university and went to Oxbridge and ended up in the City for the last 20 years in a senior professional role.

I speak "better" than my parents but not as "posh" as most of my colleagues. I proudly brandish my jar of instant coffee in the kitchen on our office floor and dare anyone to be a coffee snob around me (maybe I am judged behind my back but as the boss it is difficult to do it to my face).

My family don't understand me but I don't have the background/experiences of "true" middle class people. I don't feel like I belong anywhere