Why is "striver" an insult?

[Anonymous]

That and a " try hard"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not very familiar with the word as an insult, but it might be what you'd call someone who is interested in achieving more simply for appearances and social status rather than just trying to better themselves. I've met many people like that (as we all have) and they are annoying as crap.

+1

As it’s used around here, “striver” connotes someone very concerned with how others see them. A striver is someone who is very interested in the “Is X trashy?” and “Do UMC people do Y” threads.

Agree with this interpretation. They need external validation and seek it with material things.

+1

[Anonymous]

It's like a "beta" instead of an "alpha" OP. It's someone who tries to hard and is a little too obvious in trying to climb up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not very familiar with the word as an insult, but it might be what you'd call someone who is interested in achieving more simply for appearances and social status rather than just trying to better themselves. I've met many people like that (as we all have) and they are annoying as crap.

+1

As it’s used around here, “striver” connotes someone very concerned with how others see them. A striver is someone who is very interested in the “Is X trashy?” and “Do UMC people do Y” threads.

Agree with this interpretation. They need external validation and seek it with material things.

PP here. It's often material things, but it can also be based on nonmaterial things that confer prestige. An example would be someone who is really hung up on their child going to a "Big Three" school - not because they think it is an environment where their kid will thrive, but because they want to be the type of person (whatever that means) who sends their kid to Sidwell. The same can be said for working for the right law firm or government agency, joining the right playgroup, living in the right neighborhood, eating at the right restaurants, etc.

[Anonymous]

It is akin to "hard work," which is a known micro-aggression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is akin to "hard work," which is a known micro-aggression.

Nonsense. "Striver" as an insult means what others have said -- someone striving to join some imaginary high-class status. It's a focus on superficial indicators of material wealth and status. It's the constant flow of "is ____ high/low class" posts on DCUM. It's leasing (or buying) an expensive car just to show others you're rich/in the club. It's answering the question "how can I be a high-quality woman?" with an answer that focuses on convincing others that you're a jet-setting Stepford Wife with an Executive Home, instead of, you know, focusing on the content of your character.

I am all for working hard, making money, creating a better life for yourself and your family. That kind of striving is positive. But striving to look Old Money, have "the right" friends, show off your car and kids and vacations, is just the more ambitious person's version of using #blessed to show off your amazing life.

[Anonymous]

My students use this term interchangeably with "thirsty" (someone who is desperate for validation by people from whom they need to impress to secure attention.

example:

"Ms. X, Gatsby is such a striver. He's thirsty af and only cares what the old money people think about him."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not very familiar with the word as an insult, but it might be what you'd call someone who is interested in achieving more simply for appearances and social status rather than just trying to better themselves. I've met many people like that (as we all have) and they are annoying as crap.

+1

As it’s used around here, “striver” connotes someone very concerned with how others see them. A striver is someone who is very interested in the “Is X trashy?” and “Do UMC people do Y” threads.

Agree with this interpretation. They need external validation and seek it with material things.

+1

Exactly. Very concerned with looking a certain way and/or fitting in with the “right” group, whatever that means to them but usually correlates with money and status. It’s not the same as wanting to save enough that your kids don’t need student loans.

[Anonymous]

Why does it trigger social climbing tiger moms so much? Truth hurts, thats why.