Why do so many people put private school bumper stickers on their cars?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In England people wear ties that signify what university they went to, please. The ties are also coded so only people who know know.

When I was a child, my dad wouldn’t let me put a school decal on our car, because he thought it looked like bragging. Now I let my kids, because who cares what triggers adult strangers with confidence issues.

Seriously. I really love when the posters show up acting like this is a US-only thing. Sure, maybe people in the UK don't use bumper stickers, but they sure as heck have ways of broadcasting their membership in the elite. You want to see elitism in education, try France! Basically every European country has a separate elite track for education and they have their subtle ways of telling everyone else they're in it.

This. We are just more direct and open about it as a culture (or tacky and ostentatious for those who sneer at the U.S. way). It's like the old money new money or city slicker country bumpkin dynamic. The elitism and exclusivity "I'm better than you" is universal, but just manifests differently. We are a car culture where much public interaction is on the roads, so there's that.

Compared to who? I see lots of brand names and logos outside the US. More than I see in the US. It's ok to wear the shirt, shoes, belts, pants, purses, scarves and hats but gee don't put a label on your car! I would say many more people outside the US are brand conscious even if they are wearing fakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In England people wear ties that signify what university they went to, please. The ties are also coded so only people who know know.

When I was a child, my dad wouldn’t let me put a school decal on our car, because he thought it looked like bragging. Now I let my kids, because who cares what triggers adult strangers with confidence issues.

Seriously. I really love when the posters show up acting like this is a US-only thing. Sure, maybe people in the UK don't use bumper stickers, but they sure as heck have ways of broadcasting their membership in the elite. You want to see elitism in education, try France! Basically every European country has a separate elite track for education and they have their subtle ways of telling everyone else they're in it.

I guess I just appreciate the subtlety then lol if you're going to be an elitist snob about your group find a better way to signal it than a bumper sticker

People do. It's just so subtle you don't even know to know about it.

You don't care, nor do they. But they know that they don't want to know you.

What're the most subtle signals you think?

I'm probably not noticing because I don't run in those circles but I'm always ready to learn something new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In England people wear ties that signify what university they went to, please. The ties are also coded so only people who know know.

When I was a child, my dad wouldn’t let me put a school decal on our car, because he thought it looked like bragging. Now I let my kids, because who cares what triggers adult strangers with confidence issues.

Seriously. I really love when the posters show up acting like this is a US-only thing. Sure, maybe people in the UK don't use bumper stickers, but they sure as heck have ways of broadcasting their membership in the elite. You want to see elitism in education, try France! Basically every European country has a separate elite track for education and they have their subtle ways of telling everyone else they're in it.

I guess I just appreciate the subtlety then lol if you're going to be an elitist snob about your group find a better way to signal it than a bumper sticker

People do. It's just so subtle you don't even know to know about it.

You don't care, nor do they. But they know that they don't want to know you.

What're the most subtle signals you think?

I'm probably not noticing because I don't run in those circles but I'm always ready to learn something new.

Well now if they wanted you to know, they'd create car decals. But if you knew to look, you'd recognize colors, symbols, numbers, and jewelry.

Car decals are fun for kids.

[Anonymous]

I put car magnets on my car so I can easily find it in crowded lots where there are tons of cars that look like mine.

And like a pp said, security at the school appreciates it.

[Anonymous]

Another example of public school parents getting triggered by literally, a CAR SIGN. We put ours because we like our school! We also have one for Jolene's Ice cream from MN. That definitely is a silent brag....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In England people wear ties that signify what university they went to, please. The ties are also coded so only people who know know.

When I was a child, my dad wouldn’t let me put a school decal on our car, because he thought it looked like bragging. Now I let my kids, because who cares what triggers adult strangers with confidence issues.

Seriously. I really love when the posters show up acting like this is a US-only thing. Sure, maybe people in the UK don't use bumper stickers, but they sure as heck have ways of broadcasting their membership in the elite. You want to see elitism in education, try France! Basically every European country has a separate elite track for education and they have their subtle ways of telling everyone else they're in it.

This. We are just more direct and open about it as a culture (or tacky and ostentatious for those who sneer at the U.S. way). It's like the old money new money or city slicker country bumpkin dynamic. The elitism and exclusivity "I'm better than you" is universal, but just manifests differently. We are a car culture where much public interaction is on the roads, so there's that.

Compared to who? I see lots of brand names and logos outside the US. More than I see in the US. It's ok to wear the shirt, shoes, belts, pants, purses, scarves and hats but gee don't put a label on your car! I would say many more people outside the US are brand conscious even if they are wearing fakes.

Accoutrements like brand clothing, luxury goods, and car magnets are signs of a society with social mobility. People broadcast their status to signal to others who might not know just by looking at them. If everyday life is in a walkable urban society without a car, a car decal does no good. Coded language, posh accents, attire, and other trappings of wealth and superiority are required for those settings. Tomato Tomahto

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another example of public school parents getting triggered by literally, a CAR SIGN. We put ours because we like our school! We also have one for Jolene's Ice cream from MN. That definitely is a silent brag....

OP is a private school parent.

Try again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason is that schools has some of the features of a country club and people like to signal that they are part of the club.

It also happens with clothing. Why do people buy famous brands ?

I was going to say, people like OP who are Big Mad about private school stickers must be the same people who are Big Mad about the Rolex on my wrist.

Ironically I (OP) send my kids to private and wear a Rolex

To be fair, I bought the Rolex 20 years ago when I thought money and material goods were the path to happiness. I'm glad I did though because I still enjoy wearing it (and it's a good reminder of how inevitably fleeting the dopamine hit from a new purchase will be)

Your rolex is a flex

Yeah turns out OP is a braggart!

I will say, in my defense, that I see a difference between spending ~$4K on a stainless steel watch 20 years ago and putting a sticker advertising a six-figure-a-year ongoing expense on my car

Of course you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another example of public school parents getting triggered by literally, a CAR SIGN. We put ours because we like our school! We also have one for Jolene's Ice cream from MN. That definitely is a silent brag....

OP is a private school parent.

Try again.

OP says OP is a private school parent =/= OP is a private school parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another example of public school parents getting triggered by literally, a CAR SIGN. We put ours because we like our school! We also have one for Jolene's Ice cream from MN. That definitely is a silent brag....

OP is a private school parent.

Try again.

OP says OP is a private school parent =/= OP is a private school parent

But you, being a psychic and all, can tell OP is a public school parent.

Pffft!

[Anonymous]

My kids attend a non-elite private school. The college outcomes are maybe slightly worse than the public they could attend. But we love it and it suits them.

Am I allowed to consider our car magnet not a brag?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another example of public school parents getting triggered by literally, a CAR SIGN. We put ours because we like our school! We also have one for Jolene's Ice cream from MN. That definitely is a silent brag....

OP is a private school parent.

Try again.

OP says OP is a private school parent =/= OP is a private school parent

But you, being a psychic and all, can tell OP is a public school parent.

Pffft!

Logic isn't your strong suit, eh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another example of public school parents getting triggered by literally, a CAR SIGN. We put ours because we like our school! We also have one for Jolene's Ice cream from MN. That definitely is a silent brag....

OP is a private school parent.

Try again.

OP says OP is a private school parent =/= OP is a private school parent

But you, being a psychic and all, can tell OP is a public school parent.

Pffft!

Logic isn't your strong suit, eh?

Please do lead us through your thought process.

[Anonymous]

And since you are bashing on private school parents use of car stickers, go ahead and forbid us to wear clothing with logos, bags, anything that "brags" about how we decide to spend OUR own resources.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another example of public school parents getting triggered by literally, a CAR SIGN. We put ours because we like our school! We also have one for Jolene's Ice cream from MN. That definitely is a silent brag....

OP is a private school parent.

Try again.

OP says OP is a private school parent =/= OP is a private school parent

I'm OP and not only a private school parent but the generationally wealthy kind who doesn't even pay for it himself.