A snob imitates the behavior of the upper class.
Snob is a word from the English language that is frequently used in our language. The dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ), however, does not accept the term, but includes the term snob .
A snobbish or snobby individual is one who seeks to copy and imitate the style, appearance, customs and opinions of people whom he or she considers refined or distinguished. In this way, the snob is someone who reproduces what the intellectual elite or the upper class does and says , since they aspire to belong to these groups.
Behavior of a snob
Generally, the snob develops a behavior of imitation of the group to which he would like to belong, copying the way of speaking, clothing and consumption. Simultaneously, the snob tries to differentiate himself from the individuals whom he considers to be part of inferior groups, despising them. The snob, in short, seeks an identification with the group that he considers "superior" and a differentiation from the group that he takes to be "inferior."
Take the case of a middle-class person who aspires to elevate his social status. Said individual acquires counterfeit clothing that imitates fashion brands , since he does not have the money to buy the original garments used by the rich. On the other hand, he starts eating sushi frequently because the dish is popular among wealthy people. The subject also usually criticizes those who practice domestic tourism, stating that the best destinations are found abroad . All these questions would allow us to affirm that the person in question is a snob.
Snobs despise those they consider inferior.
Technological and food consumption
Given the importance of technology in modern life, it is not unusual for a snobbish individual to want access to it, and to do so with a view to the most expensive and exclusive products. Mobile phones are a vital element today, and for their widespread use it was necessary to create several ranges, with various features; but a snob would not settle for any product below the high end .
Another popular habit among snobbish people is liking certain foods. Most tend to appreciate exotic cuisine. For this reason, it is extremely common for them to go to luxury restaurants and only consume delicate products. Among the cuisines preferred by the snobbish public are Japanese and Chinese, which they generally enjoy with chopsticks and utensils typical of these countries.
The snob circle
It is also common for a snob to appreciate conversations of a certain prestige; For that reason, he only interacts with people who belong to his circle, who usually have similar purchasing power and tastes. These exchanges abound with lacerating criticism against any individual who is not part of the group of the exquisite and adulation of those who have a glamorous lifestyle and a relevant job that allows them to afford a true snob's life. It should be noted that the great contradiction of the snob is that he never achieves the status he desires, which is why his position is somewhat fictitious.
It should be noted that in the etymology of the word snob we find a very interesting case, which explains the origin of its derogatory nuance, since it is used to describe a person negatively. According to language experts, it is a contraction of sine nobilitate , a Latin phrase that can be translated as "without nobility ."
According to the philosopher and essayist José Ortega y Gasset, the origin of this particular contraction of two Latin terms arose from the fact that the old lists of neighbors in England showed their respective jobs and ranks alongside the names; In this way, people belonging to the bourgeoisie were entitled to a class. nob, which indicated "without nobility."