Why do people get so annoyed?

[Avoidance]

I’ve been reading threads on this website for a few months now and I cannot understand a number of things..

The first being why people seem to get so upset over the term “chav” or describing a name as “chavvy”. If someone has asked for an opinion on a name why is it okay to tell someone their opinion is wrong or offensive? It’s an opinion at the end of the day the person is not saying you or said child said with name is that type of person but that’s the association that springs to mind when they hear it / see it. I’m really struggling too see how it would be offensive if the comment isn’t directed at someone in particular and it’s just a generalisation and association that’s made. In the same way ‘it’s an old man/lady name’ is a generalisation.

On a similar not why is it not as offensive to describe a name as posh? Again IMO it’s just a generalisation but I don’t seem to see as many people calling others out for describing a name as posh or pretentious.

Why people bother to write something along that is totally pointless IMO as they don’t mention what the name is? For example “We picked a traditional name but changed the spelling as we named her after a family member” maybe I’m just too nosy but I’d much rather read ‘we named our daughter Elisabeth over the more popular Elizabeth as we were honouring a family member’ as I don’t believe thats more outing than the first comment especially when it’s a fairly usual name.

If someone could enlighten me on any of the above, it would be greatly appreciated.

@ScribblyBaller

'Chavvy' is just classist drivel. 'Naughty boy name' is another favoured way of indicating a disdain of anything too working class. As though no naughty boys walk the corridors and quadrangles of Harrow and Eton.

As to why it's not seen as offensive to describe a name as posh, well why do you think? Britain is class obsessed with people in thrall to those they perceive to be 'posh', hence why the front bench is as it is and why 'posh' names filter down to the masses. Many people want a piece of that posh pie. Even if it's only by the vaguest of associations.

Exactly. There's probably someone using the Mn baby names forum as a social class barometer for a sociology study at the moment. I'm not from the UK originally, and I'm fascinated by the small margin of name types generally found acceptable on here, which fall between 'chavvy' and 'pretentious'/'try-hard'.

Boris Johnson and Jacon Rees-Mogg hold the positions they do because of some kind of widespread internalised idea that being bossed about by an Old Etonian is somehow right and correct. There could be no working-class version of either -- their position is down to a mystifying internalised deference.

See also 'too Irish'.

Chavvy could mean a young person engaging in aggressively loutish behavior especially when in groups and for wearing flashy jewelry and athletic casual clothing.

Isn't the image a name conjures part of why you would pick it? Isn't that a stereotype?

Isn't the image a name conjures part of why you would pick it? Isn't that a stereotype?

No, i’d pick a name because I like the sound of it tbh :/ e.g I like the name Jensen which is often described as ‘chavvy’ but I just like the rhyming sound of it but then again I don’t associate it as anything most likely because I know no one of that name.

Jensen doesn't rhyme
It's c**y because Jenson became popular because of a racing car driver. nn Jens isn't great.

Maybe it’s my accent but both syllables rhyme for me

If someone says what do you think of the name Lola-Mai and someone says oh it's chavvy, the person asking is offended because it's saying of you name your kid that, your kid will sound like they will be an agressive lout and that's what people will expect her to be. People with children named Lola-Mai are offended because it's saying your kid sounds like they're an agressive lout and that's what I'd expect her to be.

If you think "ah I'm totally cool with people thinking I picked a shit name (because chavvy is never used as a compliment) that will mark my child out as trouble in later life" great for you

Chavy is a horrible derogatory term that is used a lot by snobby MN who think they have the best taste.
But as Grayson Perry has demonstrated taste is subjective, we all think we have the best taste.
Anyone who feels it's ok to use the term 'chav' or 'chavvy' (happens a lot here) makes me think they're trying too hard and need to stop being snobs.

The names I love MN hates because here not classic.
I love the names Autumn, Skylar, Summer, Sienna and for boys Asher, Elias etc
I am more than aware these are considered chavy by the small MN demographic.
But I don't think I'm a chav...as if that's a bad thing.

You can't know anything about me due to my baby name taste.
It's not a bad thing to dislike names, but it is wrong to use horror derogatory terms.
Learn to be more articulate than throwing terms like this around.

I’ve worked in a school with lots of unique names or unique spellings. So many parents (and children) were annoyed when you asked to spell their names. How am I meant to guess that Jamie is spelled Jai-mei for instance.

KeeleyIs, if the posters on here disapprove, chances are other people will too, but they probably won't say it to your face. The people being snobbish about the names might be teachers determining their A-level grades or a manager allocatiing projects/promotions or something.

Chavvy is just slang. Is it any more derogatory than calling someone a snob.

people get cross when they are disrespected or looked down upon.

@FayCarew not true. MN is a demographic and NOT the real world.
If you feel it's ok to use such terms then shame on you, it's a horrible derogatory term that is completely unnecessary to use and only shows up the person using it.

As a teacher we don't allow kids to use such terms.
Perhaps open up your vocabulary aNd your mind.

And I am a teacher and no way in hell would I determine a students grades on their name.
I wouldn't suggest you go in to teaching if you have that mindset.

And I am a teacher

good for you. But that said... people do judge. Not so much the kid, but the parent for sure.

Lucky you KeeleyIs, it must be great to be perfect.

People will judge on names, whether or not you think they will, and you do not represent all teachers.

I can't believe that you have never come across a name and though 'What were the parents thinking?'.

This thread shows why people get annoyed. I'm disgruntled because you dismiss my opinion, accuse me of being inarticulate, having a narrow vocabulary and a narrow mind.