Virtue Signalling

People are now buying old books with dust covers removed in certain colours to match their decor so they can have a nice little pile of red, green, brown or whatever on their shelves, they will probably never read them, they are just a decor prop but they look nice in the right setting. I have lots of books, a few lovely old ones but most are miss matched paperbacks. I do read them eventually.

I find wine snobs irritating, people who when given a glass of wine at a party pick up the bottle, read the label and then turn their nose up. Just accept what’s on offer with good grace or take your own.

Hear hear easybee…. I have a wall full of books ….80% read…and re-read. The other 20% waiting in queue to be read!
You’re an inverted snob!

I’ve never heard the term ‘virtue signalling’. I read a fair bit, nothing particularly intellectual, and would love to have a wall full of books. Just a matter of taste?

I don’t even know what class signalling or virtue signalling is …..but I have no class or …I must be reading the wrong books!

People who boast about having been working class. All the "woke" people trying to change history and books. How can the books have the author's name on them when he didn't write it in that form? Students trying to change the names of colleges, but continuing to accept the advantages. All the talk of slavery in the past, and ignoring present day slavery. So-called "Pride" demonstrations. Why do we need to know? What happened to common sense?

Those like Gary Lineker

an attempt to show other people that you are a good person, for example by expressing opinions that will be acceptable to them, especially on social media
Virtue signalling is the popular modern habit of indicating that one has virtue merely by expressing disgust or favour for certain political ideas or cultural happenings

This exactly. And much more.....

Shinamae but maybe having fridge magnets is “common” and isn’t that virtue signalling as well?!

Stupid people judging others by invading their privacy and commenting on this gaganet.

IrishDancing

Shinamae but maybe having fridge magnets is “common” and isn’t that virtue signalling as well?!

I care, not a jot!! 😂

I might well be virtual signalling on another thread!!..🤓

Massively unjustified judgement about " people who have bookshelves full of books but never read them". Firstly, how exactly do you know that they don't read them, and secondly what gives you the right to decide that this is "virtue signalling", and not just a normal sign that some people simply just love books? If you want to know what really gets up my nose, it's self-appointed judges, who with no reliable evidence, feel that it's acceptable to condemn from a position of deep ignorance.

I don't think GL is virtue signalling. He is expressing an opinion, which is ok by me - it's doing something because of the position he's in. If he made a song and dance about it - posting 'I'm off now to tweet about the boat people' it would be VSing, but that's not what he did.

Fridge magnets come under the books and TV category, I think. Possibly showing off, but just as likely to be souvenirs or gifts brought back from other people's travels. Come to think of it, I have a Cagney and Lacey one and a Hilda Ogden one - both from friends who jokingly laugh at my lowbrow TV choices and know I don't care .

Couldn't agree more, Nicolenet. Who exactly do these self-appointed judges think they are. Deeply insecure perhaps?

Virtue signalling to me doesn't mean showing off of books, knowledge, religion and the like, it's showing those FB posts which start with "I think I know which of my friends will share this ..." then continue to make a point of how much they (and their chosen friends who choose to share) care about e.g. mental health, cancer etc... We can all care. To (mis) quote Prince Harry - "caring is universal."

Springishere oh gosh I agree about people who take up virtuous stances about historic slavery but are happy to buy their clothes from Primark.

Agree that virtue-signalling is an odd term. It's a kind of boasting.

My fridge magnets have mostly been bought by me as mementoes of places I've visited, museums, a couple of sayings I like. My most precious one was made for me by my grandson when he was about 4 or 5, and I love those featuring photos of my grandchildren given to me by their parents. If that's VS or showing off so be it. Nearly forgot the ones shaped like pegs for holding notes, very useful, they're strong magnets and can hold several sheets without sliding down the door.

Our router is in our study where we get signal for virtual calls. Unfortunately the study walls are covered from wall with well read books. I always feel I have to apologise saying I’m not showing off - I have to get in before someone remarks on the number of books. It’s slightly embarrassing 😳

I’m sorry to say that I think one of my family members is a major contender for Virtue-Signaller-in-Chief. Always, always telling you what she has done for people and how wonderful everyone thinks she is because of it.
She’ll be beatified, I’m sure…

My input is Izal toilet roll was invented by the devil. Non-absorbent, scratchy and completely useless. Ouchies!

I had a telephone, video consultation and the other person commented on my impressive book collection behind me. I was delighted to inform them that it was in fact, wallpaper, hiding a nasty crack in the wall. No class, clearly.

I do find myself getting close to the TV to see titles of books in the bookcases behind interviewees. You can tell some are strategically placed. Some are mega tidy. And some are just chucked on randomly. I find it fascinating. I also like it when I can see some of the room decor. I'm just plain nosey.

Soozikinzi

My DH reads at least a book a week probably more usually crime John Grisham type stuff just from charity shops . If he kept every book we wouldn't fit in the House! I think true avid readers can't actually keep their books !

I’ve bought books in charity shops that I’ll never read but I know I sewed them together.
Bit daft really 😄

I don’t know why that post is linked to the one above. 🤔