Living with snobs (part three)

By now, some of my reader may think “I just don’t ever want to deal with, or live among snobs!” While I recognize that dealing with snobs can be incredibly frustrating, there are some strategies that can help us, ranging from full disengagement to subtle redirection. 

My first recommendation would be not to take their stinking behavior personally. Instead, understand that the way they act is usually a reflection of their own insecurities, not a true assessment of your worth. They need to belittle others in order to rise over them, and this comes from their own issues. 

Now, don’t ever forget that big, handy tool: Never, ever engage or argue with snobs! Debating with them is pointless. They're not usually interested in a genuine exchange of ideas; they want to assert their superiority. You'll rarely "win" by arguing their specific point of "superiority." Instead, use humor (gentle or disarming if possible, never mean). 

A lighthearted, non-confrontational, or self-deprecating joke can sometimes neutralize a snob. For instance: Snob: "I can't believe you've never heard of [obscure band/author/dish]." You: "My cultural education clearly shows some gaping holes! What else am I missing out on?" (Can be genuinely curious or subtly ironic). 

You can also change the subject, when the snobbery starts, steer the conversation to a neutral topic or one where you know they have no basis for snobbery. You can also try a polite, indifferent, bland agreement by responding with a noncommittal "Oh, really?" or "That's interesting" without giving them the satisfaction of a reaction or argument. Don't provide fuel for their fire! 

When the snob becomes genuinely offensive or crosses a line, you might want to address it directly but calmly with responses like, "I'm not comfortable with conversations that put people down." or "We seem to have very different tastes, and that's okay." As always, try also to find common ground or areas where their snobbery can't apply. If they're a food snob, maybe you can talk about the universal experience of enjoying a simple meal with loved ones. 

Avoid seeking their approval and don't fall into the trap of trying to impress them or prove your worth. Their approval isn't valuable because it's based on superficial and often false metrics. Finally, limit your exposure to this category of human beings. If a particular snob is consistently draining you or eating your time, it's okay to limit your interactions with them. 

Ultimately, dealing with snobs effectively is about protecting your own peace of mind and self-esteem by refusing to play their game of hierarchical judgment. Good success!