How to Be a Snob

Last Updated: November 23, 2022 References

Being a snob, or more appropriately an elitist, is about cultivating a lifestyle that shows that you know what's best. As a snob you need standards to live by: which is the best car to drive, the most fashionable clothing, or the most impressive bottle of wine to bring to a dinner party. You need to look like a snob as well as cultivate an attitude to go with it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Being a Social Snob

1
Have high standards for everything. As you begin your journey into snobbery, you must first know that being a snob means being selective. You must have standards about everything, such as how your steak is prepared to which grocery store you shop in. Be picky about your lifestyle because being a snob is to know and be vocal about the best life has to offer.
2
Buy things with the intent of impressing people. It doesn’t matter exactly what you purchase because everywhere you go the standards for fine living can change. What matters is that your possessions are what other people deem as valuable.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Brand name items are an easy way to show status because most people recognize them as expensive and exclusive.
- Food, alcohol, cars, and even pets are other options for show status.
- Learn to appreciate the finer things in life. Snobbery is also an enjoyment of quality beverages or the classiest art museum around. Not because they necessarily have a large price tag, but because effort and time went into making a good product.
- Only buy authentic items. Faux fur, leather, or gems will eventually be spotted and you don’t want to be caught as a fraud.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Wear clothing and jewelry that reflects your snobbery. You don’t need to be flashy and loud with your fashion statements. In fact, being obnoxiously plastered in designer labels and logos can be seen as tacky and trying too hard. To be a snob you need to dress better than everyone around you.
- Aim for a clean, classic look. Black and white, pearls, diamonds, gold, and silver are all universally recognized as colors and materials of status and wealth. Incorporate these into your wardrobe.
- Be careful not to go overboard on accessorizing. Overloading yourself with too much jewelry or customizing your car with undercarriage lights and a spoiler are ways to get attention, but they don’t reflect the tastefulness of being a snob.
- Simplicity goes a long way.
- Keep yourself groomed. A perfect outfit can be ruined by torn-up nail beds or bad breath. You need to maintain your elite status and bad hygiene is the fastest way to jeopardize it.
4
Hang out around people in the elite crowd. Again, you want to give off an appearance of status and one way is to intentionally spend your time with those who have it. Your goal is to blend in with the elite crowd. Your appearance, manners, and attitude will help, but you have to actually associate yourself with other snobs.^{[3]
X
Research source}
5
Spend time in strategic public places. Where you shop and eat is important because if you are a snob, then only the absolute best establishments are good enough for you. Being a snob requires an audience to be complete, even if it’s composed of strangers. The exclusive rooftop bar in New York City is a more suitable place to be than the McDonald’s on the corner of Times Square.
- Join a country club, attend events with the powerful people in your community, or become a member of a community club with other snobs.
- High-end boutiques are a great place to meet women of wealth as well as simultaneously stay on top of the latest fashion trends.
- By rubbing elbows with other people of status in their element, you’ll also learn the dos and don’ts of your particular social circle.
6
Cultivate manners that set you apart. Treat everyone, regardless of their station in life, with respect. Many snobs have a reputation for acting snotty and uppity towards people of a lower class or social status. Though you want to appear to be the smartest and best-dressed, it does not mean that you have to step on other people to rise to the top.
- Refer to others by their title and proper names and expect the same. If you don’t receive the same respect back, correct people so that everyone will know how to treat you.
- Don’t swear. Vulgar language is not appropriate in most settings and will taint your image of class.
- A fake accent is easy to spot, so don’t force yourself to speak unnaturally. However, you should work on using proper grammar and word pronunciation to appear well-educated.
7
Be cultured and communicate your knowledge. Expand your knowledge of art, food, music, politics, and language so that you have an education on a variety of topics. This will help you participate in any conversation and appear intelligent, even if you only have a basic understanding of the topic. People of status often have an impressive education background, for example they may have attended an Ivy League school. Even if you have not, being well-read will help you connect with the upper academic echelon.
- Learn a new word every day so that you can build a vocabulary that will impress people.
- Take up a hobby that’s physical. Tennis, golf, and other games are great ways to socialize with other snobs as well as stay in shape.
8
Manage your money wisely. Being a snob does mean spending money on high-quality, big ticket items. However, you only need to spend your money on the best options. Be strategic and have one outstanding car rather than several medium quality cars. Or, spend your money on one expensive, designer little black dress instead of buying a closet full of jeans and t-shirts.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- At first, you may not own a lot. But remember quality is better than quantity.
- Being smart with your money shows that you are picky and that your money is in fact valuable; you refuse to spend your money on anything but the absolute best.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Being a Snob About Your Interests

1
Have a specific interest or hobby. If you don’t already have a special thing that you like to do in your free time, pick something that you think is fun. A lot of classic snobby interests include film (not movies), wine and cheese, literature, coffee, or fashion. However, you can be a snob about anything as long as you have an attitude of exclusivity.
- Being exclusive about your interest means knowing what is good, bad, and the inbetween. As a snob, connoisseur, or enthusiast, you will want to be vocal about what is the best and what is to be avoided.
- Collecting things is a great way to become a snob. For example, it would be impossible to collect every coin or stamp ever made. However, there are some that are more rare or valuable than others which is a standard that makes them better than the rest.
2
Be an expert in your field. Be the person who everyone can come to with a question in regards to your interest or hobby. You want to be the one that knows everything about how coffee is made, the best methods for brewing, and all about the bean varieties. The worst kinds of snobs are those who talk as if they know everything in order to seem superior but can’t back up their claims.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Be careful about having an air of superiority.
- There’s a fine line between being a know-it-all and being the best source of information on a topic. In order to walk that line, humility is the key.
- Take the time to do extra research in order to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and newest information.
3
Build an impressive vocabulary. You need to be able to “talk shop” with other enthusiasts. For example, if you’re going to be a motorcycle snob, you need to be able to discuss the differences and benefits between a four-stroke and two-stroke engine. In addition, being able to use complex terms and technical jargon, even among people who know nothing about your craft, will impress them with your intelligence and proficiency.^{[6]
X
Research source}
4
Spend time doing what you like. In order to become an expert on anything, you need to invest your free time in studying and practicing your craft. If you want to be a connoisseur of cheese, be prepared to eat a lot of cheese. You’ll have to in order to compare and contrast different types and flavors in order to discover the best and the worst. All snobs need to construct a standard of what is the best your particular interest has to offer.^{[7]
X
Research source}
5
Attend events centered around your interest or hobby. This will give you exposure to new ideas or methods. Snobs can often be close-minded because of their pickiness. You still want to hold high standards, but exploring new options will help you develop your tastes and convictions about things.
- Libraries and convention centers often hold conferences or events for hobbyists.
- Bars and wine shops often have tastings or flights available for you to compare different products.
- Being involved in the community is also a great way to meet other snobs in your field.
6
Be critical of yourself and others. Don’t compromise on your standards for good art or a fantastic meal. Rate your experiences as you go to maintain consistency. However, be critical but not condescending. You will alienate yourself and you will lose your credibility. Impress people with your extensive knowledge but avoid acting like another person is beneath you because they are less knowledgeable.^{[8]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

What if my parents think that I'm being spoiled?

Community Answer

If your parents think you are being spoiled, tell them the truth: you read something on the Internet about being snobbish and wanted to try it to see what it was like (or whatever your reason is). If they tell you to stop or that it’s not right to act like a snob, then listen to them and look for something else to try out.