Snobbery--a bragalog

I think it's important every so often to acknowledge when you are a snob about something. By snob, I mean when you don't like something because you feel it is beneath you. Sometimes we hide our snobbery by pretending there are other reasons for not liking it, but deep down, there aren't. Everyone is a snob about something. Probably, many things.

Let me give you some examples. I used to be a snob about turtlenecks. No reason for it, really. They were beneath me.But now I have one (well sort of. It's not a real turtleneck. It's not even a mock turtleneck. It's something else, like a mock-mock turtleneck {that sounds like a bird name, or a failed dance move})

Chris used to be a snob about brown sugar. He only liked brand name brown sugar. I am proud to say that he had some moments of self reflection and now he no longer worries about what brand he sprinkles on his oatmeal.

I think it's important to know what you are a snob about, even if you don't change your ways. It's important to know why you dislike or like something, even if it's not a good reason. I am a snob to Burberry scarves. They're just beneath me, that's all. (FYI, I respect all people who like Burberry scarves. Feel free to be a snob to me for that comment. Especially when you look at my everyday wardrobe and wonder how I can possibly feel that I can be a snob to any clothing.)

Anyway, I would like to congratulate myself now on things I an NOT a snob about.

I am not a grammar snob. I think that is clear from reading my posts. I don't consider grammar and usage to be super important. Here is why that is cool and not ignorant: I teach grammar and usage. I've taken editing classes. I have plenty of history/education to make me a snob. I have a Chicago Manual Style that I regularly consult (well, it's in Nebraska right now, but I did consult it). I like to talk about obscure punctuation problems. However, when I read any written work by another person (unless I'm grading)I ignore problems. Unless it is for a professional purpose I rarely edit my work carefully. I think this is awesome. I think this trait is a microcosm for the type of person I would like to be. I would like to be someone who concentrates on the message rather than the delivery.

I am not a book snob. I was a book snob. I am no longer. I disagree with books. Sometimes they make me angry (Atlas Shrugged) or sad(The History of Love) or frightened (some story I read about giant blood-thirsty seagulls). But I am not a snob to books. I don't judge a book because everyone has read it (Harry Potter), it is full of passion in prison (Twilight), written for children (Fablehaven) or even if it is reportedly full of bad writing. It turns out that even people who are poor at writing may have important or interesting things to say. It turns out that I read not only to better myself, but also as an escape or to be entertained. I realized I was snobby to books that I would never be snobby to as movies. Reading is better than watching TV. So I gave up my snobbery. Interestingly enough though, I am now a snob to book snobs. Feel free to admit in the comments that you are a book snob to me so I can turn up my virtual nose at you.

Bedtime.