Wow, there's nothing like chav-bashing to bring the posts out of b3tans...
But what is "common" these days?

Most of those who castigate others for being "common" aren't the aristocracy, or self-made millionaires, they're bitchy middle-class social climbers who are desperate to make themselves feel better and less "common" by seeking out petty things, such as what names you use to describe various things, or how you hang the fucking bogroll for fuck's sake (note to these people: it's just as good at getting the shit off your bottom whether it's backwards, forwards, sitting on the top of the cistern or held by your own personal slave).

A good 2/3 of the activities described here don't describe "common" (i.e. working class) behaviour, but middle class behaviour which may be 1% less classy than the complainer considers themselves.

Do you think the genuinely rich or classy care whether they use myspace of facebook, whether they shop at Waitrose or Tesco (or Tesco's), whether they drink Carling or Staropramen? Of course they fucking don't. They use whatever is best for them and whatever they personally prefer. They don't care what other people think because they are secure and contented within themselves. In their view, the most common thing of all is worrying about whether or not a certain brand, activity or word is "common" in the first place.

If you really want to be "above" the "common" people, the irony is that you have to first realise that all this stuff really doesn't fucking matter in the first place.
(Axeman Jim, Sun 19 Oct 2008, 16:08, 8 replies)

THIS MAN SPEAKS SENSE.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Sun 19 Oct 2008, 16:14, closed)

you're absolutely right,the difference between things and alternatives is irrelevant
where you stand is based on how you see the world.there has been a recent furore our way about the difference between 'the working class' and what my mate grandiosly called 'the underclass',and it can be agreed that the difference is truly amazing.class is irrelevant indeed,but we're talking,i think, about standards of life and attitude towards life.
end sidenote.
(Fuckpig "That's not even a pound a midget.", Sun 19 Oct 2008, 16:42, closed)

Yes.
I agree 100%.
(Half of Stephen Fry's right buttock pissed on your dog on, Sun 19 Oct 2008, 17:00, closed)

You're right - the middle class is desperate to not fall down, knowing that it's difficult to move up but easy to do the opposite
It's a coping mechanism for insecurity.
( KersaI Missive Free Michael Shields! with Monday's Liverpool Echo, Sun 19 Oct 2008, 17:09, closed)

Ignorance is bliss eh?
There's a right way and a wrong way to do everything. Those that choose to get it wrong must be idiots, just as those that don't know are ignorant. Why is it that the rest of Europe know how to behave socially and we don't? It's got nothing to do with money or aspiration, some of the most vulgar people are wealthy. Sadly there appears to be a growing section of society in the UK with an attitude problem and woe betide anyone who points this out! You get killed these days by pissed-up aggressive chavs, and yes it does fucking matter!!
(minky, Sun 19 Oct 2008, 18:30, closed)

@ minky
I think you misunderstand.

Anyone who has seen my writing here will know I'm the first to criticise anything that is stupid, aggressive, pointless or antisocial.

But not "common". That muddies the waters between legitimate criticism of idiotic and unacceptable behaviour, and outright snobbery and sneering at those people consider as "inferior". That lets apologists for "chav" culture (I'm thinking Julie Burchill and company) get away with classing all criticism of anything bad that any working-class person does as middle-class snobbery. Chav =/= working class. Even worse, as I said originally, most of what has been written in this qotw is middle-class people sniping at each other in a pathetic and shallow attempt at one-upmanship.

And there is not "a right way and a wrong way to do everything". That's narrow-minded bollocks.
(Axeman Jim, Sun 19 Oct 2008, 20:19, closed)

What utter liberally minded tosh...
Do please enlighten me as to what constitutes a "middle class" person these days?

So by your reckoning any recognisable standards of acceptable behaviour or indeed the legal system as a whole is "narrow minded bollock" then eh? What!

And as for "chav culture", now there's a blatant misconception.

At least I've got a sense of humour and can remember to laugh when visiting this website. Now who's getting uptight?
(minky, Tue 21 Oct 2008, 9:28, closed)

Hmm
All valid points. I could be considered common as I smoke, drink, have a piercing (albeit a terribly boring one), drive a old car, shop at Asda and Aldi...

I disagree about there being a right way and a wrong way to do things though. As my post earlier this week says, you do not assault your host's daughter in your host's home...
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Sun 19 Oct 2008, 21:46, closed)