Cruising Snobbery

[Cruzaholic41]

After reading what some people consider snobbish in this thread, I’m thinking the problem isn’t snobbery. It’s hyper sensitivity on the other persons part.

[cbr663]

... so, I guess I shouldn't mention my most recent Prinsendam (or "P-dam" as we veterans like to call her) cruise in every other one of my Posts ...

 

(y)(y)(y)

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I think a definition of the word snob may be helpful from dictionary.com

 

noun

1.

a person who imitates, cultivates, or slavishly admires social superiors and is condescending or overbearing to others.

2.

a person who believes himself or herself an expert or connoisseur in a given field and is condescending toward or disdainful of those who hold other opinions or have different tastes regarding this field:

a musical snob.

[whogo]

I was brought up not to ask what someone does for a living, it would be similar to asking how much money they earn. I heard that Brits are particularly offended by the question.

[10-777]

25 plus cruises and never been asked our cabin location

 

 

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[Sunni Ten]

I don't understand how "What do you do for a living?" is a prying question. We spend 40+ hours a week doing what we do. It's a big part of our lives, whether we hate it or love it or make good money or don't. I think it's a common, perfectly acceptable question to ask. Now, it's up to the one who answers to divulge as little or as much as they want.

[SetAnOpenCourse]

Have patience with a snob and they may come around. Their snobbery may even seem superficial and harmless as you get to know them. I'd be more concerned about someone who avoids telling you what they do because they think it may make you feel inferior, as seemed to be implied in an earlier post. That's a game.

[cbr663]

I was brought up not to ask what someone does for a living, it would be similar to asking how much money they earn. I heard that Brits are particularly offended by the question.

 

I was also taught not to ask someone that you just met what they did for a living. It's considered a very personal question and not appropriate for strangers meeting for the first time. It is best left for when you get to know people much better.

 

 

Anyone who thinks that it is okay to ask this question should just do a quick Google search on whether it is rude to ask the question.

[Cruzaholic41]

Not being able to talk about careers is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard.

 

This is why DH and I ask for a table for 2. People get offended at the dumbest things nowadays. Man, I’m scared for our future.

[Sea42]

I was brought up not to ask what someone does for a living, it would be similar to asking how much money they earn. I heard that Brits are particularly offended by the question.

My mother told me that when meeting new people it was best to ask "And what do you enjoy doing when you're not (fill in the blank)". It's a perfect way to let the other person tell you what they would like you to know about themselves.

[Sundagger]

One person topped all the intrusive questions. On my first cruise, I was asked how much I paid for the cruise. I had gotten the cruise by submitting a very low bid on an auction site and accidentally winning it. I was panicked - I didn't really want to go on a cruise, but I had paid for it. When I told the questioner that I had paid $200 pp for a 7 day cruise - he didn't believe me. I went on and on about it and also added that my traveling companion had paid for airfare from Seattle to San Juan and I had paid from Santa Fe to San Juan - both airfares were far more than the cruise fare. I think he finally believed that I got a bargain on a fluke.

 

My current cruising companion (recently and forever more) and I prefer tables for two - we want to talk to each other. We talk to the crew far more than we talk to other passengers. And we don't do group tours - we explore ports on our own.

[pv girl]

Never been asked about our cabin but from time to time some have been particularly interested in what we did for a living and a drill down to actual position. We toy them and make them work for it all the while snickering to ourselves about how shallow some people are.[/quote

 

I often answer the question about occupation with "public relations" - shuts them up and really doesn't give an answer - could be anything.

[sevigny]

We had this happen to us once on our first cruise that we had a suite. The ship didn’t have a pinnacle grill, so we ate breakfast in a private area near the mdr. We were seated with an older couple. He could not stop asking us questions about where we lived, what we did for a living, etc. We finally asked him about where he lived, and of course, the answer was - in summer at my summer house, in winter at my winter house , blah, blah, blah. He actually told us the reason he was asking all of these questions was to determine if we were suitable to attend the cocktail party he was giving. His poor wife said nothing the entire time, but looked positively mortified. We couldn’t wait to leave. I guess that’s why we usually have breakfast in our cabin now! We just couldn’t believe the rudeness of this guy!

[cruisemom42]

I was brought up not to ask what someone does for a living, it would be similar to asking how much money they earn. I heard that Brits are particularly offended by the question.

 

Etiquette (at least where I grew up) used to dictate that this was a safe conversational opener, right up there with "Where are you from?"

 

I did do a Google search and some of the top citations are from individuals opining on a "long held" convention, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are right and the convention is wrong...

 

I think the best quote I came across is from Management consultant and social commentator Peter York who says “If you’re sitting next to somebody at a dinner that you haven’t met before and you’re talking to them for over an hour how could you not ask them ‘What do you do?’”

[NCTribeFan]

I just took my 31st cruise since 2001, my 3rd on HAL. 2nd cruise was on RCI. All the others have been on Carnival.

 

I don't recall anyone ever asking me where my cabin was or what category. I have been known to comment that I prefer inside cabins because I sleep better. I didn't get nearly enough sleep on K because I upgraded from an inside to a balcony and the light seeping in woke me way too early! ;p

 

But, I do believe I've read way too many negative comments about Carnival on this HAL board. I love Carnival. Mostly because thanks to their lower prices, my loyalty status, and the casino offers I receive, I've been able to cruise 3 times a year for the past several years. Sailing more often is much more important to me than whether or not the MDR tables have tablecloths!

 

But I certainly don't begrudge people who will "only" sail in a Neptune Suite. I would if I could but my life's circumstances have not led me down the path to riches! ;p

 

Personally, I prefer to not reveal what I do for a living because then I inevitably get the "oh, I have an easy tax question" response. A, there are no easy tax questions, and 2, I'm on vacation!

[Mosaic]

Mostly PC crap in this thread. You go on a ship with 2000 people and don't expect to talk with others??? BTW, the weather is bad today. I am so insulted!

[Jade13]

I have never been asked the location nor the category of my cabin ever. I find it amazing that anyone would be the slightest bit interested. I must be very naive..

 

 

 

Never been asked, but do give it to those sharing tours.

 

 

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[Tampa Girl]

Mostly PC crap in this thread. You go on a ship with 2000 people and don't expect to talk with others??? BTW, the weather is bad today. I am so insulted!

 

My sentiments, as well.

[*Miss G*]

Personally, I prefer to not reveal what I do for a living because then I inevitably get the "oh, I have an easy tax question" response. A, there are no easy tax questions, and 2, I'm on vacation!

Oh! Quick question....

 

;p

 

It's awkward for us to respond to the occupation question so, unless you're family, we're very circumspect with our responses.

[ABoatNerd]

Yes, since about 2013, I have noticed a discernable increase in "status snobbery" while cruising Celebrity (by far the most), Princess and HAL.

 

Contrary to popular cruise lore, experienced no "status snobbery" on my Cunard voyages.

Experienced no "status snobbery" on my Oceania voyages which have been the best cruise experiences of my life.

 

 

Since the cruise lines implemented class segmentation, I have found, both on CC and on the ships, a level of snobbishness and entitlement from some people (not all) particularly in the "suite class". Whether by word in conversations "how was your dinner in the MDR" or by deed, at the Guest Relations desk "can you please keep non suite people out of our lounge", some "suite class" passengers seem to exude arrogance.

 

We no longer cruise Celebrity for many reasons, but Celebrity's overt fawning over the "suite class" I believe has created an atmosphere on board their ships that truly separates guests.

 

Versus the original design of cruising, where everyone mingled and ate in all venues, today's cruise design is focused on separating people geographically and by experience. This I believe reducess the atmosphere of being "together" on the voyage. The separation provides opportunity to compare and contrast between guests.

 

One of the main reasons we adore Oceania, is that everyone eats and drinks in all venues. The Oceania guests are the most friendly, engaging and informative guests we have experienced.

 

My analysis does not apply to most cruising guests, but I have seen and experienced "status snobbery" over time aligned with the design changes in cruising. We only book verandas and have most certainly been looked down up by guests booked in suites.

 

Such are my experiences, others will have different experiences.

[Irish Eyes Are Sailing]

I was raised to not discuss religion or politics at dinner, especially with folks you don't know well. There have been many times that we have been on cruises or land tours and guaranteed there is always one in the group who decides it's his or her duty to "enlighten" us on their political stance, and go to great lengths to do so, even to the point of argument. I find it very unsettling and uncomfortable. Same goes for religion. Politics and religion are two topics I think should never be brought up among casual acquaintances. JMHO.

[Tampa Girl]

... must be a subscriber to the Ignorance-Is-Bliss Club!!!

 

[avian777]

.. it's just a shame that people can't talk without asking what you do. My DH prefers not to say unless it is a close friend (and they know) or someone really needs help ...

 

What does the P'dam have to do with being a snob? She's part of the fleet and offers some itineraries that other ships in the fleet can't. Sailing on the P'dam does not make you a snob. At least, I hope not;p

Please excuse my forwardness, but what does the highlighted portion of your Post above mean? In other words, how do you determine that "someone really needs [your DH's] help"?

 

Sailing on the "P-dam" certainly does not make one a snob; however, prattling on endlessly about it just might.

[Tampa Girl]

 

Also, when someone asks what I do or what my husband does for a living, I give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are asking to learn more about us in a favorable way or to use it as an icebreaker. I’m not so paranoid that I think everyone (or anyone) is judging me.

 

As for snobbery on CC, yes, I’ll admit that I’m tired of hearing how many Days someone has or how they don’t need more days or how many stars they have.

 

If you have valuable

Information, relevant information, current information, well, I don’t care how many cruises you have been on, just share your experience that is relevant to the thread.

 

Others may disagree with me but YMMV! 😀

 

I'm not sure that I consider listing the number of cruises one has had as snobbery. For many posters, it provides a basis for judging the posters' experience and knowledge supporting his/her opinions.

[Tampa Girl]

After reading what some people consider snobbish in this thread, I’m thinking the problem isn’t snobbery. It’s hyper sensitivity on the other persons part.

 

Thank you. This is the best post in this whole thread.