In Praise of Snobbism.
Ayn Rand taught me that it is good to be a snob about things. Not necessarily in the "nose in the air" sense, but in the sense that you love something, and pursue the best in it. And you are upset when you see other people treat the thing without the respect it deserves. Howard Roark used to keep all his favorite sculptures in a private room rather than displaying them; he was afraid that people would simply look at them and not esteem them properly, and such disrespect would be an injustice to the worth of the sculpture. So he enjoyed them alone. He was a bit extreme. But nevertheless, I like being a snob about certain things. And it is a bit painful to watch other people esteem lightly things which should be accorded more respect.
Here are some things I am a current, or past, snob about...
1. I am a Bible translation snob. I won't go into what I think about different translations here. But I have opinions. Oh, do I have opinions.
2. I am a commentary snob too. Rare is the commentary that meets with my full approval.
3. I enjoy coffee, but I am not a coffee snob. I do not grow, roast, or even grind my own beans. Any ole bag off the shelf is ok with me. If there is something about this hot drink worth snobbing over, it is the choice of flavored creamer one uses.
4. I used to be a backpacking/biking/outdoor gear snob. This snobbism has faded since moving to SC.
5. I'm a hymn snob. You want to sing a Gaither? Help yourself to the church across the street.
6. I'm a bit of a grammar snob. Although some people are much more snobbish about this than I am. (I could have ended that sentence with "me" rather than "I am" and not lost much sleep)
7. Aubrey has just mentioned that she is a cheese snob. And this is true. She loves her havarti dill, fresh grated parmesan, and fresh mozzerella. And she has opinions about which soft cheese goes with what; one should not mix one's blue's with one's gorgonzola's. Although she is not above enjoying a common string cheese, if the mood is right.
8. I am not a chocolate snob. I welcome all chocolates to come as they are.
9. I am a wattage snob. Do any other couples have debates over what wattage bulb is appropriate for the living room lamp?
What are you a snob about?
Here are some things I am a current, or past, snob about...
1. I am a Bible translation snob. I won't go into what I think about different translations here. But I have opinions. Oh, do I have opinions.
2. I am a commentary snob too. Rare is the commentary that meets with my full approval.
3. I enjoy coffee, but I am not a coffee snob. I do not grow, roast, or even grind my own beans. Any ole bag off the shelf is ok with me. If there is something about this hot drink worth snobbing over, it is the choice of flavored creamer one uses.
4. I used to be a backpacking/biking/outdoor gear snob. This snobbism has faded since moving to SC.
5. I'm a hymn snob. You want to sing a Gaither? Help yourself to the church across the street.
6. I'm a bit of a grammar snob. Although some people are much more snobbish about this than I am. (I could have ended that sentence with "me" rather than "I am" and not lost much sleep)
7. Aubrey has just mentioned that she is a cheese snob. And this is true. She loves her havarti dill, fresh grated parmesan, and fresh mozzerella. And she has opinions about which soft cheese goes with what; one should not mix one's blue's with one's gorgonzola's. Although she is not above enjoying a common string cheese, if the mood is right.
8. I am not a chocolate snob. I welcome all chocolates to come as they are.
9. I am a wattage snob. Do any other couples have debates over what wattage bulb is appropriate for the living room lamp?
What are you a snob about?
Comments
We definitely disagree about light bulbs. Jeremy is on an energy-saving kick and I've, sadly, gotten used to living in a dimly lit world. : )
I also was going to add... last year I bought a Moleskine and tried to become a journal snob, but it didn't take.
And Rebecca, don't think of it as being "dim" think of it as "having atmosphere."
1. I would like your opinions on Bible translations
B. all that cheese talk brought back memories of some great cheese fondue :) YUMMO
Sorry, 3 things:
Michael says I am a snow snob
no, 4: also, peaches- being from a big peach producing town and all
Marty
But your post reminds me of things that do jump off the page and beg to be fixed. Per our question of the day (yesterday) about "that" and "which," we think you should pay another visit to the last sentence of your first paragraph. "That" would restrict your "things" to only those requiring more respect. Just like fetching the lawn mower (among the many in the garage) THAT is broken.
But that's a new one for me. An old pet peeve of mine lies in your blurb about cheese. Aubrey's blues and gorgonzolas don't have any possessions (besides their out-of-place apostrophes), so they should not be portrayed as being possessive. Some CHEESES are BLUES and some are GORGONZOLAS.
On another note, your brother isn't a chocolate snob either, but I am! I have been ever since I started getting hand-delivered chocolates from my sister in Belgium....mmmm. Ever since I discovered that Dave does not appreciate the Belgian chocolate one bit more than a Hershey's kiss, I no longer allow him to have any of MY chocolate from Belgium....hmmphh.
We enjoyed your post (and we enjoy giving you a hard time.) --Hannah