Isn’t the word “tacky” just a classist slur?

[Anonymous]

I’ve seen “tacky” being thrown around a lot more often on this board. Sometimes to describe rude behavior, but also just to describe preferences/tastes associated with people who didn’t grow up in certain exclusive communities from certain preferred regions of the US.

Isn’t this just classist nastiness that we should do away with? Aren’t we as a society over praising people for being born in the right place and judging people too dumb to be born in a rich eastern seaboard town?

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Yes it is.

[Anonymous]

It’s a remark on behavior.

[Anonymous]

It is. Sometimes I feel it's used appropriately, and sometimes, as is the case for the "discussing finances is tacky" thread, very foolish and self-destructive.

[Anonymous]

When in Rome…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a remark on behavior.

Lots of inappropriate language is a remark on behavior. Doesn’t mean it’s not a nasty word we should drop.

[Anonymous]

I don't know.I think "trashy" is a class judgement but "tacky" is more of an etiquette or behavior judgment, not tied in directly with class and / or wealth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It is. Sometimes I feel it's used appropriately, and sometimes, as is the case for the "discussing finances is tacky" thread, very foolish and self-destructive.

In that case I think it’s just a synonym for “rude.” And you can debate whether or not it’s rude. But I don’t see the point of using a word that’s so inherently classist. In contrast, in the Beauty & Fashion board, it’s just straightforwardly an attack on not looking like you come from the right class, which is even worse.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I also think it's an insult boring people lob at interesting people to make it seem like being boring is a virtue. "Oh, you have an opinion or enjoy yourself in public? Tacky. It's better to walk around in beige clothing looking mildly constipated and avoid speaking or smiling lest you set a foot wrong."

[Anonymous]

It means it's not up to "our" standards, whoever "our" refers to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know.I think "trashy" is a class judgement but "tacky" is more of an etiquette or behavior judgment, not tied in directly with class and / or wealth.

I think if you look at the etymology of the word you’ll find it’s almost exactly the same as “trashy.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It is. Sometimes I feel it's used appropriately, and sometimes, as is the case for the "discussing finances is tacky" thread, very foolish and self-destructive.

In that case I think it’s just a synonym for “rude.” And you can debate whether or not it’s rude. But I don’t see the point of using a word that’s so inherently classist. In contrast, in the Beauty & Fashion board, it’s just straightforwardly an attack on not looking like you come from the right class, which is even worse.

Fair point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know.I think "trashy" is a class judgement but "tacky" is more of an etiquette or behavior judgment, not tied in directly with class and / or wealth.

I could get on board with this distinction, but a lot of people use these words interchangeably. It also makes me squeamish to get into a debate about etiquette because I think the better judge of character is to look for good intentions, well communicated. People can adhere to etiquette and still be cruel a$$holes. And a person can be uncouth and still be kind, warm, and wonderful. Etiquette is about knowing the rules of a certain set. It's inherently classist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It is. Sometimes I feel it's used appropriately, and sometimes, as is the case for the "discussing finances is tacky" thread, very foolish and self-destructive.

In that case I think it’s just a synonym for “rude.” And you can debate whether or not it’s rude. But I don’t see the point of using a word that’s so inherently classist. In contrast, in the Beauty & Fashion board, it’s just straightforwardly an attack on not looking like you come from the right class, which is even worse.

People do have the choice to dress in a classy way like Michelle Obama and Jackie Kennedy, or they can try to emulate the Kardashians. If the latter, "tacky" fits.