Quiz: Are You a Snob?
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Do you look down on someone carrying a bag that’s Gap rather than Gucci? Blow off a guy because he doesn’t take you to the hottest new restaurant in town? Turn your nose up at the office-party buffet because the crudités aren’t organic? Being too materialistic can affect your personal, social, and professional life. So how snobbish are you? Take this quiz to find out…
1. In the holiday gift exchange, a co-worker gives you a cheap bottle of merlot, while you’ve given her a rather expensive bottle of champagne. You:
a. Shower her with gratitude—at least she got you something!
b. Thank her politely—it’s the thought that counts, anyway.
c. Walk off from the festivities in a huff without saying a word to her. The nerve!
2. You’re planning a get-together with friends for your birthday. Where do you have it?
a. The dive bar down the street. You know your friends will at least come for the happy-hour deals.
b. A restaurant that’s reasonably priced and intimate that you guys all love.
c. The newest, hottest club. It’s superexpensive and so loud you can’t have a conversation without shouting, but it’s the place to be.
3. You’re on a first date with a guy, and he admits that while he doesn’t make six figures, he’s in a job that he really loves. Your reaction is:
a. Apathetic. Some of your past boyfriends haven’t even had jobs—you’re not picky.
b. Encouraging. It’s great that he’s doing what he loves.
c. Apoplectic. How is this guy going to take you out to amazing dinners, shell out for quick getaways to Bermuda, and buy you fantastic birthday gifts?
4. Your new summer intern went to a state school, not an Ivy. You:
a. Take her out for drinks at her local college bar. She’s much more fun than your co-workers.
b. Pile tons of work on her to see what she’s made of. She’s here to learn, after all.
c. Write her off. Without a posh pedigree, she’ll never work for you for real.
5. You’re torn over two pairs of jeans: the hottest brand, and a lesser-known brand that are more than half the price. Which pair do you buy?
a. The cheaper pair. You’d feel ridiculous wearing such expensive jeans.
b. The cheaper pair…and then treat yourself to a manicure!
c. The expensive pair. It’s all about that recognizable logo on the butt.
6. Your boss hires a new girl and asks you to show her around and take her out to lunch. When you meet her, you see she’s plain and unfashionable. So when lunchtime rolls around, you:
a. Kill her with kindness—she’s probably smarter and more accomplished than you are.
b. Take her to your favorite spot and get to know her. She’s part of your team now, after all.
c. Take her to a dark, out-of-the-way lunch joint where it’s guaranteed you’ll see no one you know. You’d rather die than be seen eating with such a dork.
7. You’re alone in a new boyfriend’s apartment for the very first time. Your snooping starts where?
a. In his bedroom bureau. You’re looking for extra-small T-shirts, old love letters, incriminating photos—any evidence of past girlfriends.
b. At his bookshelf—is he a nonfiction buff or a poetry reader?
c. In his closet, his fridge, and his shower caddy. Designer suits, organic produce, and fancy facial scrubs = a keeper!
8. The new fall Vogue has come out. Your plan of attack?
a. Ignore it all. Trends would probably look ridiculous on you anyway.
b. Splurge on one great trendy item, but that’s it. You’re more into spending lots of money on classics that never go out of style.
c. Buy as many trends as your credit card allows. It’s all about looking up-to-the-moment!
Mostly A’s: Utterly Unpretentious
While your acceptance of anyone and everyone is admirable, it might come off that you think everyone is better than you—and bosses might pass you over for an important assignment or a promotion. Aspiring to great things—whether it’s splurging on a pair of shoes you really love, landing that big promotion, or dating the really adorable guy you’ve seen at the gym—shows self-respect and confidence. If you think you’re worth it, everyone else will too!
Mostly B’s: A Fine Balance
You definitely have an eye for the finer things, but you realize that’s not all there is to life. Since you’re secure with who you are, you’re less likely to judge books by their covers, or make a decision about people based on something as petty as how they dress or where they’ve gone to college. You never know when that’s going to pay off—someone you don’t snub today could be a valuable work ally tomorrow.
Mostly C’s: Materialistic to the Max
You know what they say about the kind of guys who buy flashy sports cars? Well, your rampant materialism could be overcompensating for something too. Your snobby attitude could harm your work, friend, and love relationships—higher-ups could view you as a bad team player, and your peers could see you as standoffish, inconsiderate, and even rude. It’s important to give people a chance—you’ll probably go further in life for it.