What is a snob, exactly?

If you ever make others uncomfortable about what they are drinking then you are a snob (and likely think more of yourself than you should)

 

/\/\/\ This!

It's one thing to appreciate something, it's another to equate your appreciation with your value as a person. As soon as you begin thinking your taste in anything make you a better/smarter/more worthy person than someone who doesn't share your tastes, you've entered the snob zone.

 

Er, no. Some people, snobs, actually are jerks. Saying so is not evidence of an inferiority complex.

 

He sounds like a real a-hole.

 

Let's look at actual definitions of the word.

From Wikipedia: "A snob is a person who believes in the existence of an equation between status and human worth.[1] In other words, a snob values another person primarily on the basis of the level of social rank that such other person holds in society. This implies that a snob judges who is allowed into the snob's circle of acquaintances and friends primarily on the basis of the status of such candidate. One is consequentially highly likely to lose a snob's affection and attention soon after one has lost one's status.

The term snob is sometimes also used for a person who believe that some people are inherently inferior to him or her for any one of a variety of reasons, including real or supposed intellect, wealth, education, ancestry, power, physical strength, class, taste, beauty, nationality, fame, extreme success of a family member or friend, etc. Often this form of snobbery reflects the snob's personal attributes. For example, a common snobbery of the affluent is the belief that wealth is either the cause or result of superiority, or both. Both definitions are used as a pejorative."

Free Dictionary:
1. One who tends to patronize, rebuff, or ignore people regarded as social inferiors and imitate, admire, or seek association with people regarded as social superiors.
2. One who affects an offensive air of self-satisfied superiority in matters of taste or intellect.

In short: you know who you are.

 

Snobbery is about attitude.

Believing Bud Light is a poor product doesn't make you a snob. Believing people who drink Bud Light are inferior does.

 

Anyone who looks down on people because they don't drink craft beer and instead choose to drink BMC. About half of this board.

 

I agree with this. My definition of a "snob" is more along these lines. Let people drink whatever beer they like. If their opinion on what a good beer is differs from yours, so be it. Everyone has different tastes, preferences, and definitions. That is what makes the diversity of beer great. If we all liked the same beer, all the different types, styles, and breweries would not exist.

 

great way of putting it. I've found most BMC drinkers maybe have had a boston lager once and thought it was too strong or bitter or the like, so they immediately stopped trying new things and live solidly in BMC-land. I've found among my own friends, even some that didn't like beer at all previously, once they've tried a swath of good beers of varying styles from multiple brewers, they eventually find a style they enjoy. amazing that good beer actually appeals to those who might have given up on beer altogether based on BMC alone. All it took was the open-mindedness to try something new.

 

To denigrate another's opinion based solely on subjective criteria, usually perpetrated by individuals compensating for various ignominies.

 

A beer snob is the sort of person who, when you're all together drinking, says "Urgh, I can't believe you're drinking that rubbish!" They are disliked because they are no fun.

 

EIther the Boston Lager, or a SNPA, usually. Either that, or they had someone give them a DIPA, Belgian Quad, Barleywine, or something so out of left field they were totally tuned off. I knew someone, as the time he was a friend, but not anymore, who delighted in getting BMC types to try the roughest, strongest beers out there. WWS, 120 minute, Samiclaus, Avery's Mephistophles or Beast, Southern Tier's Crème Brulee, etc, and laughing when they couldn't deal with it.

 

Someone looking to hide their beer from people they deem non-worthy

 

I agree with the BAs who post that snobbery applies to that air of condescension. Here's an example...

As we all know, there are still people who drink BMC in this Golden Age of American Brewing.

The ``Conscientious Beer Advocate'' understands that many of these people may be turned off the price of craft, or tried a couple of (poorly chosen) craft beers, didn't care for them, and are hesitant to try it again, or may simply be intimidated by the sheer volume of styles and offerings available today. We gladly answer questions about breweries and styles and offer suggestions when asked.

The ``snob'' simply thinks those BMC drinkers are all bat-fart crazy. Every last bat-farting one of them.

 

And you often feel the need to point out other people's faults? Glass houses, my friend, glass houses.

 

Beer Snobs are people who believe that they are better than others because of the beers they choose to drink.

They are wrong!

 

Snob is the thing you used to use to tune in your radio. Nowadays everyone uses sbuttons.

 

A snob is someone who only listens to pallbearer and deafheaven.

 

yeah, that kind of "friendly" behavior is crap.

 

To me, the definition of a snob is anyone that

Places themselves above you, look down upon you and state their view is the ONLY view that matters. You become the lower person to them and your views don't mean a damn.

That happens in so many different areas. It is the same for Wine snobs as it is for Computer snobs, Car snobs and the list goes on.