Virtue Signalling

I read a lot of threads on Gransnet but don’t often comment.
Never before have I read such a shambles of a remark regarding people who have books unread or otherwise on their shelves.
I have books on my shelves that I read 30 or 40 years ago, but may well read them again.
I am not virtually signalling that I am better than anyone else.

How rude and ridiculous. Get a grip.
My children and grandchildren may also read things that I don’t, but this information , stories and magical inspiring things are still available to them.

65” television and not a book in sight-could well be a sign of someone who prefers to read away from the TV. That takes care of my DD’s family-all voracious readers but books aren’t kept in the living room, so not vs.
The car/garden situation?
Boasting possibly, combined with a lack of interest in the kerb appeal of your house. Still not vs for me.
Virtue signalling- going on about how kind, caring, etc. you are, with the implication that you are sooo good and better than others.

I'm probably risking a tsunami of criticism, but dare I mention a certain virtue signalling lefty Lineker, who makes all these pretend compassionate statements about the poor immigrants arriving by boat to escape slavery ( in which case why didn't they ask for asylum in other countries in Europe?) and compares the Tories to Nazis.

I don't engage with Twitter, but has he also boasted about giving some of his millions to these poor migrants?

I always thought virtue signalling was about bragging about good deeds you’ve done rather than how many books you’ve read.

Stated not stayed !! Fat fingers !!

Warbler

Virtue signalling……….? A 65” telly and not a book in sight. Or a £40,000 new car and an unkempt garden and a dilapidated house. Those things baffle me far more than someone with a heaving bookcase. Please don’t come and visit me…… you would hate my library. It might be too eclectic for your taste.

No, I don’t think the examples you give would be classed as virtue signalling.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, virtue signalling is "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... indicating that one has virtue merely by expressing disgust or favour for certain political ideas or cultural happenings".[4] The expression is often used to imply by the user that the virtue being signalled is exaggerated or insincere

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtue_signalling

Thanks Oreo ! Are you “virtually signalling” me ? Methinks you’re just being rude ! I have stayed quite clearly that I do NOT consider anyone inferior to me in any respect irrespective of which daily newspaper they choose to read or whatever else they read or indeed choose to do - what kind of person do you think I am that I’d consider myself to be superior to both my dear late mother and my husband ??

😂😂😂

Virtue signalling……….? A 65” telly and not a book in sight. Or a £40,000 new car and an unkempt garden and a dilapidated house. Those things baffle me far more than someone with a heaving bookcase. Please don’t come and visit me…… you would hate my library. It might be too eclectic for your taste.

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

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 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.

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.

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

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…

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 😳

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.

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

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

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."

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

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 .

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

IrishDancing

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

I care, not a jot!! 😂