What is your opinion of people who prominently display diplomas?

[Anonymous]

Just wondering.


To me it’s a display of pomposity and I think less of the person.


(FWIW I attended a T20 undergrad and a ‘good’ grad school, but I don’t know where my diplomas are and would not dream of mounting them on a wall. I did not attend any commencement ceremonies and paid my way through everything.)

[Anonymous]

Display where?

In their office - fine.
In their living rooom - weird

[Anonymous]

I assume they come from a lot of adversity and still managed to get the degree and are proud of it.

Single teen mom, rising through the ranks, got an associates at NVCC and then a degree from GMU in her early 30s. Go ahead, display that degree.

[Anonymous]

They are dentists or doctors

[Anonymous]

I don't think anything. My diplomas sat in a drawer for over a decade, but eventually I got a large office with a lot of wall space to fill, so I got them all framed and displayed them. I had full scholarships to non-fancy schools. Then COVID hit and I brought everything home and they are now sitting bubble wrapped. If I ever had a permanent office again I would probably put them up since they're all in matching frames and I don't have tons of personal stuff to put up, just some art.

[Anonymous]

My ex-war-refugee husband, who remembers going hungry as a child, clawed his way to an MD and a PhD and probably doesn't even remember where he stored his diplomas. To him the ultimate achievements are living well and giving a great education, as well as a comfortable life, to his children.

But would he judge anyone putting their diplomas on the wall? Not at all. Neither would I. Do what makes you happy!

[Anonymous]

In their business office? Doctor, lawyer, etc.? Fine.

[Anonymous]

As a lawyer, I don't think anything of it, since nearly all my colleagues have always had them on the wall of their offices. I never have because I was too disorganized and cheap to have them framed, but not because I think there's anything particularly obnoxious about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Display where?

In their office - fine.
In their living rooom - weird

+1

OP - would you honestly have a problem with someone displaying their diplomas in a home office? A basement? It sounds more like a you problem.

[Anonymous]

I used to feel the same way as you because the people I'd met who did it were pompous. Then I met people who were just proud of their achievements but in a totally normal way, so I no longer make snap judgements.

DH and I just found all our diplomas as we were cleaning out the basement and DS liked looking at them. Then we both wondered what to do with them. I hate storing things just to store them but getting rid of them seemed so senseless too.

[Anonymous]

I need something as a Zoom background.

-lawyer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wondering.


To me it’s a display of pomposity and I think less of the person.


(FWIW I attended a T20 undergrad and a ‘good’ grad school, but I don’t know where my diplomas are and would not dream of mounting them on a wall. I did not attend any commencement ceremonies and paid my way through everything.)

I'm so glad you put this qualifier. I was thinking you went to a lesser educational institution and could not believe a state school grad would have the audacity to even mention this.

[Anonymous]

Very normal for lawyers.

[Anonymous]

The context matters.

I display mine at work. I am an academic and my degree credentials are required by our external accrediting body. Everyone does this.

Lawyers? I get it.

Doctors? Yeah.

It makes sense for licensed professions for sure.

[Anonymous]

If it’s in their office, it’s totally normal. My PT has his diplomas in the wall. I taught, and I considered hanging my diplomas on my classroom wall when I taught in a title one school as a good example for my students. I didn’t because I needed the wall space for other things. Other adults never factored into my decision.