# Things that used to be considered "high class" that are now tacky **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 1, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121 "2015-12-01T16:50:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/101 "2015-12-03T15:46:56Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > The Walmart shopper probably thinks shopping at thrift stores is “tacky”. > > The Target shopper probably thinks shopping at Walmart is “tacky”. > > The Macy’s shopper probably thinks shopping at Target is “tacky”. > > The Neiman-Marcus shopper probably thinks shopping at Macy’s is “tacky”. > > I don’t know what would next in the hiearchy. But it is probably tacky. Old money calls in repair men for their heirlooms. Be those castles, machinery, wax coats, or shoes. The few British blue blood ladies I have met wore very old quality outdoorsy clothes over their rubber wellington boots. Anything else just got in the way while gardening, taking care of the estate, and going for walks with the dogs in the countryside. Old money also likes shopping at thrift stores. So quaint, and thrifty. 😃 Thus completing the circle. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/102 "2015-12-03T18:43:31Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Well there you go. I can’t wait for brick sized cellphones to become trendy again. You will have to be happy just with the return of the cellulite phone. > **[MST3K 306 - Time of the Apes](https://mst3k.fandom.com/wiki/MST3K_306_-_Time_of_the_Apes)** > > "My piece of wood! It died so that we might live."Crow (as Caroline) Trapped in a future where apes dominate the world, a boy, a girl and a young woman try to find a way back to their own time with the help of a human rebel. Prologue: The gang... 🙂 Mystery Science Theater 3000 is coming back, their Kickstarter was successful enough to allow Joel and the bots to make new episodes next year. ---
**Author:** ![botsgotme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/103 "2015-12-04T14:46:42Z")
I mean, all these trendy new restaurants offers stuff that blue collar people used to eat-like meatloaf and gravy, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. These are people who should be consuming escargots, filet mignon, etc.-what drives them to seek out working class cuisine? Of course, when an order of mac’n cheese goes for $25.00-that is good business for the restauranteur. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/104 "2015-12-04T14:55:49Z")
The book **the Encyclopedia of Bad Taste** is filled with examples of once hi-class, now declasse stuff. If you an find a copy, I highly recommend it: > **[Encyclopedia of Bad Taste: Stern, Jane, Stern, Michael: 9780060164706:...](https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Bad-Taste-Jane-Stern/dp/0060164700)** > > Encyclopedia of Bad Taste \[Stern, Jane, Stern, Michael\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Encyclopedia of Bad Taste One surprising example: **Leisure Suits**. They were first marketed to the upper class as a comfortable alternative to suits for relaxed occasions. But they proliferated wildly and lost their association with folks with money, and that pretty much doomed them. On top of which, they were being manufactured in quantity not from cotton anymore but from polyester, and that was the Kiss of Death. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/105 "2015-12-04T21:44:35Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > really small bands still put stuff out on cassette because it’s cheap even if they are not hipsters. That seems odd to me. Why would they assume a non-hipster or retro audiophile would even still have a cassette player? Sure, if they’re 30-ish and never throw anything away, they might have one in storage. Or if they have an older car they might have one that they plug their phone/MP3 player into. But that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/106 "2015-12-04T21:49:48Z")
In the late 90’s I was considered high class. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/107 "2015-12-04T22:34:40Z")
> [@botsgotme](#): > > I mean, all these trendy new restaurants offers stuff that blue collar people used to eat-like meatloaf and gravy, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. These are people who should be consuming escargots, filet mignon, etc.-what drives them to seek out working class cuisine? Of course, when an order of mac’n cheese goes for $25.00-that is good business for the restauranteur. restaurateur Maybe it’s because when (most not all) kids were small, they liked blander foods like mac and cheese and grilled cheese. As adults it’s harking back to the simple comfort foods but amping them up with “adult” flavors added…? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/108 "2015-12-04T22:36:37Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > In the late 90’s I was considered high class. Well, that was just a lie. You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog. 😉 ETA: Shakes fist at **Robot Arm**! and self for not looking closely ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/109 "2015-12-05T05:25:21Z")
Granite countertops, double sinks in the mater bath. I mean what’s next, three sinks? Put in another stall while you’re at it. So your master bath looks like the restroom in Macy’s. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/110 "2015-12-07T22:47:58Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > I have heard from several sources that when peanut butter was first introduced, it was considered a luxury item. Definitely tacky then and now in at least one sense of the word. NB, your staff report: . \*The Aztecs, who kept domesticated turkeys for hundreds of years before the Europeans arrived, had a perfectly good word for the bird in their Nahuatl language: xuehxolotl, which, of course, is pronounced. Don’t ask me how it’s pronounced, but I’m sure it can be done. \* Pure Cecil-like snark comedy! ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/111 "2015-12-08T14:28:57Z")
> [@drdeth](#): > > nb, your staff report: . \*the aztecs, who kept domesticated turkeys for hundreds of years before the europeans arrived, had a perfectly good word for the bird in their nahuatl language: Xuehxolotl, which, of course, is pronounced. Don’t ask me how it’s pronounced, but i’m sure it can be done. \* lol! 🙂 ETA: Uh, The message board is turning my “LOL” into “lol”. I’ve tried 3 times now. Wierd. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/112 "2015-12-08T17:00:39Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > All black waitstaff? > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Waitstaff who all happen to be black is one thing. What you’re talking about it quite another. Five years ago, I was at a Christmas party where the hosts & all their guests were white and all the staff was black. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/113 "2015-12-08T18:54:05Z")
**ALL** 2015 Republican Presidential Candidates. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2015, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/114 "2015-12-08T21:12:35Z")
I’m going to say “wall-to-wall carpeting”. Remember when that was luxury - now it’s just a dirt & dust collector and people are ripping out carpets in favour of hardwood floors. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/115 "2015-12-09T18:05:29Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > True; the largest target group IS totally anti-fur. > > I’ve seen several recycled fur items on Etsy, and have been considering buying a few. I like fur and have no problem wearing a) wild-caught fur of certain species, or b) fur that is pre-consciousness-raising era. > > I’m pretty sure someone has said this, but you might want to contact sellers who repurpose items like these for Etsy. Those could be remade into earmuffs, headbands, or wrist cuffs (to put on gloves). Maybe into a small collar to wear over a sweater (mmm, with a dark grey or ivory cashmere sweater…). > > But these days, no one wants the heads and paws. Never quite understood being anti-fur if you’re not vegan. Far fewer people have a problem with leather. I’ve always thought it was sort of a class envy thing gone mad. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/116 "2015-12-09T18:57:50Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > What the hell is “brick-sized cellophane”? > > Yes, I read that several times before I got it right. You thought they were always pocket-size? [Not so.](http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ3hI90lCW5LZCTPphAQ52GC9p1CijS-IaAzhx75bfLOVJsMWSQoncKsirw) ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/117 "2015-12-09T19:21:57Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > You thought they were always pocket-size? > > [Not so.](http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ3hI90lCW5LZCTPphAQ52GC9p1CijS-IaAzhx75bfLOVJsMWSQoncKsirw) Oh, pshaw! [Had one of these at work](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a7/19/1a/a7191a147a9e83d2daf672e378dd0d3c.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/118 "2015-12-09T23:16:11Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Five years ago, I was at a Christmas party where the hosts & all their guests were white and all the staff was black. So how are Paula Deen’s holiday parties anyway? ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/119 "2015-12-10T20:51:21Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > Old money calls in repair men for their heirlooms. Be those castles, machinery, wax coats, or shoes. > The few British blue blood ladies I have met wore very old quality outdoorsy clothes over their rubber wellington boots. Anything else just got in the way while gardening, taking care of the estate, and going for walks with the dogs in the countryside. > > Old money also likes shopping at thrift stores. So quaint, and thrifty. 😃 > > Thus completing the circle. Most of the rich people I’ve known have shopped in discount places and thrift stores. I’ve never known a truly rich person to turn up their nose at Wal-Mart, usually that’s more of a upper middle class thing. It’s always true that rich people don’t get that way by writing a lot of checks or overpaying for things. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121/120 "2015-12-10T22:05:13Z")
**The North Face** clothing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-used-to-be-considered-high-class-that-are-now-tacky/739121.md?page=7)