Are we pretentious?

[Doug33]

pre·ten·tious

pri-ten-chus / Adjective

Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.


Synonyms:

showy



I was talking to a co-worker of mine who mentioned that she owns a nice boat. Since I've known her a long time, I asked why she never told me this before. She said that she doesn't advertise it because it makes her look pretentious, as if she was bragging or showing off.

And then recently I was reading a thread here and someone mentioned that before they bought an RV, they thought RVers were pretentious. So my question is, are we? Does our zeal and our excitement for our hobby come off as looking like we are snobs or above others? When I mentioned to some people that I was buying a new TT recently, I got one reaction to the tune of "well, you must be doing well these days".

Are TT owners less snooty than owners of more expensive 5'ers and motorhomes? How about boats? On my last trip, a gigantic MH pulled up in the site next to us, and my immediate reaction was that whoever owned this RV had the big bucks (this MH had to cost > $200K). But to my surprise a normal, average looking and friendly guy got out of the MH, along with his normal, average looking and friendly kids. It's hard to think of someone as pretentious when they are hooking up a sewer line!

The irony is that while RVing, I spend 1/3 to 1/2 what non-RV owners spend on hotels and resorts. And I get to sit in my own chairs, use my own appliances, and sleep in my own bed all the time!

What say you on this topic?

[Mvander]

My wife and I are the type of people who dont really discuss money (troubles or other-wise) with family. However we are in the minority in our families. Most get togethers wind up with conversations about how so and so has it so hard and can't afford this or that. We are not wealthy but we don't complain to others when things are tight.
So when the odd new (normally used)vehicle or TT graces the drive way we always get to hear my favorite 3 words. "Must Be Nice"
We have develoved an answer to that statement that always shuts em up.

"It is nice"

[Eycom]

Hi! I'm Eycom and I'm trailer trash.:B I can say this on the forum as some aspire to my position.:W This is like a RVer's AA meeting. However, it's not at the forefront of my business dealings with small businesses owners across the country, anymore than where they live is an issue. This lifestyle offers a slower pace and saves me a lot of commute miles. Sometimes it comes up in conversation with campers. Mostly, I leave them to wonder while I wave to them as they exit the campground on Sunday morning. I love a parade.:)

[Reader1]

Pretentious people are pretentions whether they own a boat, rv, tent, vacation in hotels & resorts, own a million dollar home or live in very inexpensive housing. It is not what they own...it is who they are. The rest of us own rv's because we love the outdoors, hiking, biking, picnics, etc. and never think about "we have an RV and you don't." I would not spend time worrying about this, I'd just plan for the next great trip.

[JRS___B]

Just my humble opinion, but I think most RV people are actually less pretentious than the average person. As we all know, owning an RV can be a humbling experience in itself.

We happened to camp in the Florida Keys (for a 3 week period) among some of the largest motor homes imaginable (with giant matching/color schemed trailers housing both an expensive boat and a sports car, or in one case about 5 classic Harley Davidson MC's). None of these people were full timers. None of them were retired. They were all very friendly, although maybe just a little tight lipped about what exactly they did for a living.

[LeBout]

Well, I pretty much see everyone else as pretentious except me! KIDDING!!!! 🙂

I think the definition of pretentious is about as elusive as one's definition of "rich." No matter HOW much money someone has, virtually no one believes they are rich. "Rich" is defined as the next level up and what THAT guy owns. Not me...I'm just average. Except that the guy who doesn't have the TT I have nor any prospects of ever getting one actually would point at ME as the definition of "rich."

Frankly...if we have an RV (and I mean ANY RV)...we ARE rich. Regardless of the age or value of that RV.

But pretentious? That's probably something we have to investigate in the privacy of our own hearts. Just my two cents. 🙂

Paul

[Canyon-Cruiser]

IMHO No. RVer's, for the most part, are not pretentious. There may be the few out there who would flaunt things they have in hopes of placing themselves above others. But those are found in every walk of life. If you are proud of something you've gained or accomplished and share that with friends, and your friends or others think of you as pretentious, it shows more about their character than yours.

And you are so right:

Doug33 wrote:
It's hard to think of someone as pretentious when they are hooking up a sewer line!

😄

[Gooseneck]

How dare you mention something such as this to someone of my status. I really do not have time to be concerned with or associate with the "little people". I'll just climb into my 20 year old rv, kick back, enjoy a malt beverage while looking down my nose at the envious multitudes. (I wish I could afford to trade up but don't tell anyone!)

Seriously, I have only encountered a few snobbish people in the nine years I have been rving. Most everyone, regardless of status, have been kind, friendly and gracious. Hope it stays that way.

[Doug33]

And despite the fact that things always can and will go wrong with a TT, I don't think it could ever compare to the problems and cost of maintaining a boat. Just last weekend my next-door neighbor's boat died out on the open water - TWICE!

[Kittykath]

We're mid-process of going from a TT to a 5th wheel. I sure hope I don't become more snooty over the next 2 weeks. This move is due to purchasing a unit that better fits our needs. That can come in any form and has over the years.

But you're right. I'm certain there are plenty of both envious and pretentious people out there, but for the most part we're all in what we're in due to what we can afford and how it suits or campstyles. I'm sure happy to have such a variety of neighbors.