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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: emdasher on August 10, 2008, 11:32:25 PM

Title: Snob dilemmas
Post by: emdasher on August 10, 2008, 11:32:25 PM
I'm curious to see if any of the fellow music geeks on these boards ever find themselves in this dilemma:

You're at your favorite record store with a friend who likes music enough, but isn't up to your level of fanaticism. Also, your friend isn't quite aware of the intensity with which you seek out music. You pick out a bunch of records. Your friend sees that you're carrying a bunch of records and naturally asks, "What did you get?"

Knowing full well that your friend hasn't heard of any of the bands whose records you've just picked up, do you:

A. Show them the handful of embarrassingly obscure records, and grin and bear the look of sheer disgust on their face (read: blank stare) as they realize that your friendship is a sham (read: that they didn't know you were into music so much).

B. Say, "You haven't heard of any of these bands," and completely alienate them from your dark obsession (for their own good, of course).

C. Explain the dilemma that their inquisitiveness has put you in as you quickly rush out of the store to go do something else.

I always find myself at risk of coming off as a total snob when I go to record shops with friends. I suppose it's possible that this dilemma arises at least partly from a subconscious desire to be thought of as a snob.

Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: AllisonLeGnome on August 10, 2008, 11:42:46 PM
I sometimes find myself in a similar situation when someone asks what I'm listening to- my music taste is by no means particularly snobby, but it's not usually things the average teenager would know. I just reply honestly- I don't really see any problem with that.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: emdasher on August 10, 2008, 11:45:56 PM
I sometimes find myself in a similar situation when someone asks what I'm listening to- my music taste is by no means particularly snobby, but it's not usually things the average teenager would know. I just reply honestly- I don't really see any problem with that.

I think the problem is that I'm too sensitive.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Beth on August 10, 2008, 11:47:46 PM
I've never had anyone look at me in disgust because they didn't know about a band I liked. Nor have I ever considered a friendship a sham because of it. Your friends sound kind of harsh.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: yesno on August 10, 2008, 11:48:27 PM
The easy solution is to give up going to record stores and just steal all of your music from the internet.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: emdasher on August 10, 2008, 11:51:06 PM
I've never had anyone look at me in disgust because they didn't know about a band I liked. Nor have I ever considered a friendship a sham because of it.

I just mean that they've never realized how interested I was in music before. I guess for some reason I feel as though I have to keep it a secret among my friends, since we all have wildly varying interests that sometimes are not shared. I suppose that's the real problem here (my unwarranted secrecy, that is).
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: todd on August 10, 2008, 11:56:29 PM
I know what you mean. Sometimes, when I paint or sculpt a masterpiece, people say "What does this work of art mean?" And I'm too busy pitying their ignorance to say anything.

They would never understand it anyway. Fuckin' plebes.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Beth on August 10, 2008, 11:58:56 PM
I've never had anyone look at me in disgust because they didn't know about a band I liked. Nor have I ever considered a friendship a sham because of it.

I just mean that they've never realized how interested I was in music before. I guess for some reason I feel as though I have to keep it a secret among my friends, since we all have wildly varying interests that sometimes are not shared. I suppose that's the real problem here (my unwarranted secrecy, that is).

Also, using phrases like "embarrassingly obscure" probably isn't helping.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: yesno on August 11, 2008, 12:00:15 AM
Some of my best friends are absolutely uninterested in music, and I like it that way.  Musical taste isn't really a good indicator of other personality traits.  Unless you are a Randy Newman fan, in which case I condemn you.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: emdasher on August 11, 2008, 12:04:53 AM
Some of my best friends are absolutely uninterested in music, and I like it that way.  Musical taste isn't really a good indicator of other personality traits.  

I have friends who are waaaay into politics, and I always feel a bit like I missed the party when hardcore politics chat starts. I feel like music could be a similar thing.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: iAmBaronVonTito on August 11, 2008, 12:10:05 AM
i have the same problem.  every time i open my mouth about music i get blank stares, so i gave up on trying to explain anything.

however, in this instance i always say, "just a bunch of stuff," and let them look through my stack; i dont say a word and i let them figure it out on their own.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Raad_Man on August 11, 2008, 12:26:21 AM
why would you hang out with dumbasses with shitty taste in music?  they sound like a bunch of losers.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: mokin on August 11, 2008, 01:43:10 AM
Time for another snob dilemma:

Someone has said something quite shocking, and your monocle has fallen out and shattered against the floor. Do you:

A) Say, "MY WORD!" and look disgusted at the person.
B) Quickly kick away the remains of your monocle and leave the room.
C) Try to joke away your embarrassment by remarking that you "simply must try those 'spectacles' that Frederick was raving about at last week's salon."
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: emdasher on August 11, 2008, 01:51:46 AM
Time for another snob dilemma:

Someone has said something quite shocking, and your monocle has fallen out and shattered against the floor. Do you:

A) Say, "MY WORD!" and look disgusted at the person.
B) Quickly kick away the remains of your monocle and leave the room.
C) Try to joke away your embarrassment by remarking that you "simply must try those 'spectacles' that Frederick was raving about at last week's salon."

Finally, someone who gets me.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: cutout on August 11, 2008, 07:20:02 AM
D) Remove one of your long white perfume-dipped silk gloves and slap the person twice across the face
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Pete Velcro on August 11, 2008, 08:14:16 AM
Some of my best friends are absolutely uninterested in music, and I like it that way.  Musical taste isn't really a good indicator of other personality traits.  Unless you are a Randy Newman fan, in which case I condemn you.

I feel the same way. Different strokes etc.

But what you do when asked what records you're buying is generalize to a degree with  which you feel comfortable: "I bought some Italian Speed Metal. Now leave me alone."
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: dave from knoxville on August 11, 2008, 08:25:36 AM
I'm curious to see if any of the fellow music geeks on these boards ever find themselves in this dilemma:

You're at your favorite record store with a friend who likes music enough, but isn't up to your level of fanaticism. Also, your friend isn't quite aware of the intensity with which you seek out music. You pick out a bunch of records. Your friend sees that you're carrying a bunch of records and naturally asks, "What did you get?"

Knowing full well that your friend hasn't heard of any of the bands whose records you've just picked up, do you:

A. Show them the handful of embarrassingly obscure records, and grin and bear the look of sheer disgust on their face (read: blank stare) as they realize that your friendship is a sham (read: that they didn't know you were into music so much).

B. Say, "You haven't heard of any of these bands," and completely alienate them from your dark obsession (for their own good, of course).

C. Explain the dilemma that their inquisitiveness has put you in as you quickly rush out of the store to go do something else.

I always find myself at risk of coming off as a total snob when I go to record shops with friends. I suppose it's possible that this dilemma arises at least partly from a subconscious desire to be thought of as a snob.



Suggested solution: Go to record stores by yourself. It's the only way you can spend any reasonable amount of time there anyway (say 4-5 hours.)

I'm going right now! Nobody's invited to join me!

A bigger problem for ME is the snobs who work in the record store. I can't tell you how many times I have started to head towards the check-out, seen which hipster was working the cash register that day, and returned my Anne Murray disc to the bin without purchasing it, out of fear of disapprobation.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: dave from knoxville on August 11, 2008, 08:26:21 AM
I sometimes find myself in a similar situation when someone asks what I'm listening to- my music taste is by no means particularly snobby, but it's not usually things the average teenager would know. I just reply honestly- I don't really see any problem with that.

I think the problem is that I'm too sensitive.

Or else you're getting     sawwwwwwwwwwwwwwft
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: dave from knoxville on August 11, 2008, 08:30:21 AM
Go to the 3:16 mark if you don't get that crack; it really wasn't a slam.

[youtube]beaAKKYb-1A[/youtube]
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: dave from knoxville on August 11, 2008, 08:33:07 AM
The easy solution is to give up going to record stores and just steal all of your music from the internet.

The problem with this is you don't get to spend 4-5 hours in the record store.

In Knoxville, the groovy place is here,

http://www.buymusichere.net/stores/discexchange/ (http://www.buymusichere.net/stores/discexchange/)

Yes, they do stock Miles Davis, Velvet Underground, AND Big Dipper, if that's any indication. You'll have to special order Anne Murray though.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: dave from knoxville on August 11, 2008, 08:37:07 AM
Nashville also has a terrific store.

http://www.grimeys.com/ (http://www.grimeys.com/)
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: buffcoat on August 11, 2008, 10:23:38 AM
Why would anyone get upset that you were buying:

Boston, Boston
Led Zeppelin IV, Led Zeppelin
The Best of the Eagles, The Eagles
Skynrd
Mariah Carey



I mean, those are all avant garde, but not THAT avant garde.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: masterofsparks on August 11, 2008, 10:25:14 AM
Skynrd

It's spelled "Skynyrd," you VanZantdummy.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: buffcoat on August 11, 2008, 10:37:30 AM
Skynrd

It's spelled "Skynyrd," you VanZantdummy.

Ahh... please don't tell me how to spell it.
It sickens me.

*You* spell it "Skynyrd."  *I* don't spell it "Skynyrd," *I* spell it "Skynrd."
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Wes on August 11, 2008, 10:40:42 AM
Time for another snob dilemma:

Someone has said something quite shocking, and your monocle has fallen out and shattered against the floor. Do you:

A) Say, "MY WORD!" and look disgusted at the person.
B) Quickly kick away the remains of your monocle and leave the room.
C) Try to joke away your embarrassment by remarking that you "simply must try those 'spectacles' that Frederick was raving about at last week's salon."

May I ask why, in this scenario, you had no cup of tea on a saucer into which your monocle could have gently plopped after you were taken aback, like any decent gentleman?

You, sir, are a charlatan.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on August 11, 2008, 11:01:13 AM
I usually just bore my friends into submission with stories about the musicians.  This also applies to the "monocle" scenario.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Beth on August 11, 2008, 11:12:18 AM
Skynrd

It's spelled "Skynyrd," you VanZantdummy.

Ahh... please don't tell me how to spell it.
It sickens me.

*You* spell it "Skynyrd."  *I* don't spell it "Skynyrd," *I* spell it "Skynrd."

You're both wrong. It's Skinnard. That's obviously the most obscure spelling.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on August 11, 2008, 11:21:03 AM
For years, I've been thinking it was "Skin Nerd."
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: iAmBaronVonTito on August 11, 2008, 11:21:44 AM
For years, I've been thinking it was "Skin Nerd."

Leonard, Skin Nerd
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on August 11, 2008, 11:22:28 AM
For years, I've been thinking it was "Skin Nerd."

Leonard, Skin Nerd

I'm afraid to know what kind of nerd that is.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Amplituden on August 11, 2008, 11:25:55 AM
I just usually say, "You wouldn't get this idiot".
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: TacoSmith on August 11, 2008, 11:55:03 AM
For years, I've been thinking it was "Skin Nerd."

Leonard, Skin Nerd

I'm afraid to know what kind of nerd that is.
Probably one that owns a lot of different lotions. Or knives.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on August 11, 2008, 12:16:56 PM
I just usually say, "You wouldn't get this idiot".


Do you only buy albums by idiots?
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Amplituden on August 11, 2008, 08:52:04 PM
I just usually say, "You wouldn't get this idiot".


Do you only buy albums by idiots?

Usually just from idiots.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: derkins on August 11, 2008, 09:39:33 PM
I usually just find something in common or something or if there's not much just change up the subject ya know or just bullshit with em about it ya know.  whatever's good in the situation
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: John Junk 2.0 on August 11, 2008, 10:41:22 PM
I have a lot of friends that aren't nearly as into politics as I am, and sometimes we'll go to the polling place together, and they'll be like "So who are you voting for?" and I'll just kinda smile this painful smile and name the painfully obscure candidate I'm voting for (last time it was Joseph T. Podehouse of the Christian Scientists for Socialism Party for Board of Ed.).  Then they'll try and impress me by arguing about why they're voting "No" on Prop. 92 or something, and I can just tell they only saw one attack ad during Channel 9 News and maybe read the LA Times to check their endorsements.  Ugh, it's so awkward!
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: masterofsparks on August 12, 2008, 07:10:25 AM
I had just such a snob dilemma earlier this week. I'm in Louisville on business so I went record shopping to entertain myself and when I ran into some co-workers with a couple of LPs under my arm, I was faced with two dilemmas - artist snobbery ("Earth and The Reigning Sound? Who's THAT?") as well as format snobbery ("What are you doing with vinyl? I didn't even know they still made those!").

What I'm trying to say is that this is a very timely thread for me.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Bryan on August 12, 2008, 10:25:16 AM
And? What'd you do, MOS? You can't leave us hanging like that!
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on August 12, 2008, 10:45:16 AM
I just usually say, "You wouldn't get this idiot".


Do you only buy albums by idiots?

Usually just from idiots.

See, I'm always buying albums for idiots.

I have a lot of friends that aren't nearly as into politics as I am, and sometimes we'll go to the polling place together, and they'll be like "So who are you voting for?" and I'll just kinda smile this painful smile and name the painfully obscure candidate I'm voting for (last time it was Joseph T. Podehouse of the Christian Scientists for Socialism Party for Board of Ed.).  Then they'll try and impress me by arguing about why they're voting "No" on Prop. 92 or something, and I can just tell they only saw one attack ad during Channel 9 News and maybe read the LA Times to check their endorsements.  Ugh, it's so awkward!

This has MY vote for the best post of the post-FOTchan era.  Vote Junk in 208!
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: Sarah on August 12, 2008, 11:47:56 AM
2208?  Happy to.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: iAmBaronVonTito on August 12, 2008, 11:52:02 AM
I had just such a snob dilemma earlier this week. I'm in Louisville on business so I went record shopping to entertain myself and when I ran into some co-workers with a couple of LPs under my arm, I was faced with two dilemmas - artist snobbery ("Earth and The Reigning Sound? Who's THAT?") as well as format snobbery ("What are you doing with vinyl? I didn't even know they still made those!").

What I'm trying to say is that this is a very timely thread for me.

this happens to me a lot.  oddly, it usually comes from people who lived during the vinyl era.  and i cant win: when they didnt know i buy vinyl, they assumed i didnt know what it was.  since i do buy vinyl, and now that they know this, im made fun of for it.  by women, mostly.

its so weird and confusing and frustrating.
Title: Re: Snob dilemmas
Post by: yesno on August 12, 2008, 02:07:20 PM
You guys get embarrassed buying vinyl, I get embarrassed buying latex. We all have our hangups.