why are people who listen to classical seen as snobs most of the time?

Answer 1

I think there are a couple things to consider here.

People listen to classical music do it for a number of reasons.
1) The enjoy it
2) They think it makes them smarter
3) It helps them fall asleep
4) To impress other people

This last reason is the one that causes most of the problems. Listening to classical music doesn't actually effect your social status much. People who listen to it for the purpose of belonging to higher social class may put on airs. This can lead to the misconception that all people who listen to classical music have that same agenda.

This problem exists for other music as well. People who like Rap and Hip-Hop are clearly gangster-thug wannabes. People who listen to Heavy Metal probably lack social skills, and play dungeons and dragons.

People attach certain things to stereotypes, because it makes things easier. Wealth, classical music, old paintings, etc. can lead one to a snob / aristocrat stereotype. This is a shame, but some people just can't break out of stereotypes that they've forced on other people.

I listen to whatever I like, and expect others to do the same, whatever the choice may be.

just my 2 cents

Answer 2

Lord should I...........? OK here goes nothing. I'm a classical musician. First off people who listen to this music are not not "seen as snobs most of the time" - the very notion is silly. Those who do see classical music fans as "snobs" are themselves of course applying a stereotype. They of course don't understand the music or it's listeners.
Now I'd like to address a couple things other answerers said: "Classical music is strange in this day and age. People that still listen to this type of music are hard to come by. While it plays in almost every movie, and at nice parties and such, people don't respect it as they used to."
Very odd considering that the answerer notices that it is all over movies and so on. Thus many people are listening. If the answerer were to attend the average Cleveland Orchestra recital or any orchestra concert he would see thousands who are enthusiastic listeners.
All I have time for for now. Listen to what you love and to H E L L with what people think about you.

Answer 3

I don't know, Robert, why some act like this. I love classical music myself and each time I try to get on here to help someone with an answer, I see all these long involved responses using terminology that only the most educated classical music people would understand.
They feel superior because of their choice.

I learned to love classical music because that it what my piano teacher taught me. Also, my parents bought me an album years and years ago that had simple lyrics to famous classical pieces of music. That was the beginning of my love.
Example: Barcarole from Tales of Hoffman.
When I float my little toy boat, I think of a great big ship..far from home I'm sailing the foam, I'm taking an ocean trip.' In the park til nearly dark, the fountain is my sea. Off I go to towns I know in my geography. (so on.) I got this album when I was about 5. I am now 65. It has stayed with me.

I will tell you one thing. I do not like country music, but that is a choice because I do not hear beauty in it.

I agree that some act snobbish about classical music. I am sorry you have experienced that.
We are not all snobs.

This is an edit: I am wondering if perhaps on this site, they feel they have finally found a spot that teenagers with stupid answer won't get on. Just an observation.

Answer 4

This question is a hard one to answer, seeing how I don't really know what you mean, and you are vague in your question, but I'll do my best.

Classical music is strange in this day and age. People that still listen to this type of music are hard to come by. While it plays in almost every movie, and at nice parties and such, people don't respect it as they used to.

That being said, the people that do listen to it may develop an attitude about it and my feel like its some how better then other music (all music is music).

Answer: People may see classical music listeners as snobs because the listeners may have an attitude about their own opinion.

Answer 5

For what it's worth, I know what you mean, and IMHO it mostly has to do with the fact that classical has a bad image in general (though I also believe more would like it if they gave it half a chance.)

I don't think anyone would agree with me on this, but I find most people who listen to popular music to be snobs...simply because they think classical is not good music without giving it that half a chance.

Answer 6

My opinion of tune snobbery: If it's fair, and may also be absolutely justified via the "snob", then I feel it's excellent. If any person criticizes a band, however manages to objectively justify their evaluations (comparable to announcing the Jonas Brothers suck when you consider that in their loss of skillability), I think it's excellent. What fairly annoys me is while humans unreasonably show their tune snobbery while, even as, additionally they exhibit how little they honestly recognise approximately tune (comparable to announcing a band sucks and, while requested to justify that opinion, they cop out via making use of the "it is an opinion" excuse). I additionally dislike it while humans generalize genres with ease established on what little they listen at the radio. Still, I feel there is a time and position for the whole lot. If you have been asking a flawlessly fair query, I do not feel even the fair tune elitists must intrude. I realise how demanding it may be.

Answer 7

People who listen 2 classical music would only b called snobs by people who dont listen 2 it. Just like people that listen to Rock/Emo are called Emos.
i dont think ppl who listen classical r snobs

Answer 8

i think because the general public thinks that classical music is not the "cool" thing...(unfortunately).. Usually they see their old pipe smoking professors listening to it with a dazed look in an office, and say "ewww" and don't listen, therefore associating classical music with old academia, or rich "snobs" who go to large concert halls.....

but i don't think all listeners are snobs, i listen to classical, but i also listen to metal, so i don't think everyone can be categorized, but i have met snobs who do ONLY listen to classical music, sadly enough, and do make the stereotype seem real..

Answer 9

It has to be a stereotype. Most of us who love the old Master's, listen to their music in complete privacy. I have yet to hear Bach's basso continuo thumping out of someone's car stereo.
If you want to find snobs, it's those idiots who do wine tastings. They act like they know what they are doing, sniffing, and pouring it up their noses, and then get into their '74 Gremlin and turning Beethoven up full blast.

Answer 10

Probably because those who listen to classical music are known as thinkers - not head bangers, be-boppers, or talk fast in short, choppy sentences to a beat (Rappers) like auctioneers. Real thinking uses more energy, gets more done and keeps us evolving.

Classical music soothes the brain while it works.