Is it common in America to be shamed for having something „outdated”?
Posted by MagicianSad4222@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 166 comments
I’ve been reading a thread about inexpensive dirt bikes, and one guy wrote, „you’ll get sh!t on for not having an e-start” and it struck me. I know most people aren’t like that, but still, in some communities I’ve seen a lot of people put more emphasis on things they have, rather than their skills.
Amazing_Divide1214@reddit
Yep, people will shame you for having stuff too old, or too new. You will be shamed if you make a lot or a little money, and however you spend it. People like to complain and shame. You can find someone who will do it about any and every thing.
chabrija@reddit
I think one should care less about what others have to say and enjoy what you have. Makes for a happier life.
JackTheBehemothKillr@reddit
I get more comments on my classic stuff than I get on any of my more contemporary stuff.
I like old things. I have a '57 Herter's Mark III Runabout with a '55 Evinrude 25HP "Big Twin" on it, as well as a 1959 Lonestar Flamingo with a 1961 Evinrude Lark III 40HP that I'm pushing through restoration.
If you have crappy old stuff, its hard for people to love it. If you have good old stuff younhave a refined taste.
But who cares if someone else doesn't like it? So long as you do, who cares?
sighnwaves@reddit
As a land of contradictions and variety the opposite is also true....people will give you guff for having something "new fangled".
Some people just like to moan.
Drew707@reddit
Hasn't electric start been around for decades? I had it on a quad and a bike like 20 years ago.
MagicianSad4222@reddit (OP)
Well from what I know Kawasaki released first motocross with e-start in 2021. Dirt bikes have a bit different priorities.
Drew707@reddit
Maybe for serious competition motocross bikes, but my XR650 definitely had electric start in 2006.
paparazzi_rider@reddit
it has but was considered too much extra weight on off road bikes until recently.
Maxpowr9@reddit
I remember rap songs talking about a push-button start as some amazing luxury. My mom's 2010 Camry had one.
Maxwe4@reddit
I have a 1975 Honda CB750 and it has an electric starter.
RockShowSparky@reddit
My first bike was a 1971 CB750. It had electric and kickstart. Kickstart was way more badass, although nothing like kickstarting a shovelhead.
sighnwaves@reddit
Yeah, but I was thinking more like....when my brother got his fancy BMW bike (something R) a bunch of his riding buddies gave him shit for all the electronic aides....like he wasn't riding "pure".
Drew707@reddit
He should've asked them if they had ever tried not being broke.
/s
For real, though, there are those people in the 4x4 community, too. They think if you aren't running a 40 year old 5 speed Jeep, you are taking the easy way out or giving up "control". Meanwhile I just flip a couple switches in my modern 4x4 and let the truck do its thing. The difference is probably I have the truck as a tool to go camping, but for them the journey is more the point than the destination.
sighnwaves@reddit
Hahahahaha
ucbiker@reddit
Yup went to buy a cheap dirt bike and got teased for having a new (base trim) truck.
Technical-Bath9108@reddit
In a rich neighborhood they'll make fun of you for having something outdated. In a poor neighborhood they'll make fun of you for having something too nice.
MagicianSad4222@reddit (OP)
Turns out people have the same traits all around the world.
Technical-Bath9108@reddit
Exactly! Humans is humans.
TheGoodCaptainYam@reddit
Unless your friend group is made up of exclusively assholes, no. Nobody cares.
iHaveLotsofCats94@reddit
I get grief from coworkers and whatnot about my 20+ year old cars, 5 year old phone, etc. I can afford to buy shiny new things every year, but that's a waste. I don't believe in getting rid of things that still work
kaimcdragonfist@reddit
In which case you’ve got way bigger issues than having outdated stuff
lonelygayPhD@reddit
I've had people try to shame me for having an Android. Getting hit on at a bar and hearing, "You use an Android? You lose points for that." It's kind of like...you never had a chance, so don't worry about it.
PeanutterButter101@reddit
Funny, in my circle it's Apple users that get dunked on.
MagicianSad4222@reddit (OP)
I’m from Poland and funny enough it’s often the opposite here, people commenting on me having an iPhone because I „overpaid” when those same people already changed their phones twice and paid for them more than me for my used iPhone.
Sea-Bill78@reddit
Not a cultural thing. It must be the individual. I have seen the opposite, people usually are proud about how long they have used something without any failure.
little_runner_boy@reddit
Depends. Some things are antiques. Other times it's my jeep's windows that you still need to manually roll down but it's new enough to have a CD player
14Rage@reddit
Shame is more or less optional in America.
I hope this answers your question.
madogvelkor@reddit
Some hobbies suffer from people obsessed with the gear rather than the experience who like to put others down.
Bootmacher@reddit
I've noticed that martial arts doesn't do this at all. People swear by brands, like I swear by Hayabusa and my friend swears by Yokkao, but no one laughs at the newbie with Venom or RDX. Most of them eventually trade up.
MagicianSad4222@reddit (OP)
I noticed it too, and actually martial arts has the most friendly community of all hobbies I have.
Apptubrutae@reddit
I thought the main point of a hobby was to buy all the cool gear and then never do it?
madogvelkor@reddit
I see you've been observing my photography hobby.
Apptubrutae@reddit
What lenses do you recommend for sitting in a bag for years unused? Probably pretty expensive and big ones, I’m guessing?
No comment as to my own photography equipment…
zeezle@reddit
If you want to feel special, you could instead collect some antique Soviet & DDR lenses to use with an adapter to sit in the bag instead, that's what I did!
madogvelkor@reddit
Ideally. A really fast and expensive prime lens for street photography that is inconvenient to actually use and too expensive to take to the interesting parts of town is a good choice.
Or an exceptionally expensive lens for birding that's too big to carry to where the birds are. And birds aren't really that interesting to you anyway.
There's also the ever popular macro lens you used for a month then forgot about.
Oenonaut@reddit
“You’re definitely going to want some manganese”
Maurice_Foot@reddit
[astro-photography enters the chat.]
Drew707@reddit
Overlanding has entered the chat.
GTO400BHP@reddit
The real danger is someone buying the stuff and using it! I have three and a half hobbies: model building, model trains, wood turning and repairing my cars (when I can get myself to put in the effort).
You really talk yourself into collecting, because a voice in your head is going "see? You just made one! Of course you can buy 3 new ones now!"
PracticalBreak8637@reddit
No. Buying all the items needed for a hobby, then never using them, is a hobby all by itself. Just ask any ADHD crafter with a room full of paints, yarn, clay, and jewelry findings, some of which are still in the bags from the store.
Apptubrutae@reddit
You should SEE my woodshop. Absolutely mint condition, lol
Derpyholic030@reddit
I've seen this multiple times in VR subreddits. Somebody with absolutely no vr experience will post a deal they found for a full HTC Vive kit for like $150, and ask if it's worth it, making sure to point out that they know the quest exists and aren't interested given the antics of meta.
Almost all of the comments will be calling the vive unusable worthless trash, despite it being a decent, low spec, and cheap foot in the door for people who want to get into pcvr on a budget.
Drives me absolutely insane.
int3gr4te@reddit
Just to give an example from outside of the vehicle world, I've actually crossed paths with a very small minority of hobby astronomers who are like this. They compare specs of their telescopes and mounts like it's a dick measuring contest, and act dismissive and disdainful about someone with a manual telescope. "It doesn't even have tracking? What is this, a child's toy? Pshh, casual." (But then when their computer gets an update or their GPS won't calibrate or their motors are too cold to run correctly, they can't find anything on their own, because they don't actually know how to do astronomy, they just know how to put stuff into their computer. It's really hard to resist firing back a "You can't even find Jupiter without automatic goto? Pshh, casual.")
It's honestly a really dumb thing for people to get superior about. Like bro we're all just here because we like looking at and learning about the night sky, why the fuck does it matter what we use to do it?
People are weird.
terryclothtracksuit@reddit
I had that conversation yesterday. He was giving me shit about my beat up old kayak and cheap fishing gear. I ask him how many times he’s been out this year. Not once. The reason my kayak is beat up is I use it often and catch fish. His sits in the garage
Shot-Artichoke-4106@reddit
Most people dont care, but obviously some do. Some people are just super into consumption and think you have to have new stuff all the time. OTOH, I ride a mountain bike from the 20th century. I get compliments all the time for riding an old school classic 😀
Particular-Move-3860@reddit
Some of us are proudly immune to being shamed. We have our own standards and like what we like.
Vyckerz@reddit
it's been many years since I have ridden a dirt bike. Back then I had never seen an electric start on one. I assume since most are based on Motocross race bikes, I would think an e-starter would be extra unneeded weight.
But yeah, there are always people who may ride you down for something you don't have that they do. Typically it's clueless younger people or blowhard older people. Generally the younger ones that do it have a parent that is a blowhard.
Zesty-B230F@reddit
No. Where did you hear that?
river-running@reddit
On the other side of the spectrum, there are car people who will shame anyone who buys a new vehicle because "they're all terrible quality these days". The world is full of people who think they are right and aren't afraid to tell you.
thingsbetw1xt@reddit
Or just the premise of buying new instead of used. "Ermmm the value goes down way faster" I don't plan on selling it dawg why do I give a shit what the value is
Lefaid@reddit
They are angry at the direction car makers are going but would never be caught dead in a car less than 5 years old.
Apptubrutae@reddit
Oh I like this one because they’ll trash modern cars on a number of fronts but never acknowledge that the fatality rate drops quite significantly with newer and newer cars.
RatonhnhaketonK@reddit
Hahaha as an EMT, I agree
RsonW@reddit
You can write shit on this subreddit
techtchotchke@reddit
Thank you for calling this out. I moderate a subreddit and we explicitly ban algospeak for a variety of functional reasons (it can break mod tools, it can break people's keyword filters, etc.) but also out of personal ethos. It gives me a bad feeling to see algospeak becoming so many people's default behavior instead of just a reactive one on specific platforms, and it's hard not to read it as "obeying in advance" / licking corporate boot.
FANTOMphoenix@reddit
Well shit.
GooseinaGaggle@reddit
Like hell I'm gonna fucking say sh*t
madsciencetist@reddit
Dude got shit on for not writing shit
ElefanteAmor@reddit
What a crock of shite
GTO400BHP@reddit
Ach, Scheiße!
jigokubi@reddit
Fuck yeah!
eugenesbluegenes@reddit
Fuckin' A
scotchirish@reddit
We need more of this
claudiatiedemann@reddit
A co-worker wanted to buy his 11 and 13 year olds a smart watch so they could make a call in case of an emergency. The person at the phone store convinced him other kids will shame them for not having iPhones. She specifically said it had to be an iPhone, not any other smartphone, or the kids would be bullied. This is a middle class family who lives in the suburbs. Whether it’s true or not, he believed her and bought them both iPhones. I told him I think the person at the phone store was just trying to make a sale and he said, “You don’t have kids so you don’t know what it’s like now with bullying!”
normiepitbullmom@reddit
usually only kids and teenagers care about this. most people start paying adult bills and realize that’s a dumb thing to care about.
worldDev@reddit
I rode bikes for over a decade and never heard someone give shit about a kick start. I’ve even seen people add them for a backup in case their battery dies.
verminiusrex@reddit
Anyone giving me grief isn't anyone who's opinion I care about.
I do photography and my camera came out 8 years ago and is still considered a good workhorse. Photographers will compare features of new gear but also bang for the buck with older gear.
RockShowSparky@reddit
I think in most areas we respect the person who has put in the time and had to learn with the limitations of cheap equipment more than the person who can go out and buy top of the line stuff off the bat to learn on.
Extreme examples, the dentist who has never ridden a motorcycle and buys a 50k Harley bagger is a trope. I’m sure to a lesser extent it’s the same with surfboards, golf clubs, guitars and probably most hobbies with an element of skill.
RedditWidow@reddit
I think you answered your own question. Yes, "in some communities" people will shame or bully others for having something outdated. I consider that sort of behavior immature and something that children do in school, but many adults continue to be that way. I wouldn't say it's common but it definitely happens.
FANTOMphoenix@reddit
Depends on what it is.
But almost all cases it’s just someone being an asshole.
Ippus_21@reddit
Depends on who you're hanging out with.
I haven't had anybody give me shit for using old stuff since I was, like... 17? Almost 30 years ago?
Adults shouldn't behave like that, and if you're with people who do, it's time to find different people to spend time with.
glowybutterfly@reddit
There are people who want the newest thing and who want you to have the newest thing, too. But, as with many topics in the US, opinions vary broadly. There are a lot of other people who value thriftiness and vintage more. Confidence in your own choices will carry you further than trying to cater to one particular crowd. I've definitely had people suggest that something I had was outdated, and when I confidently agree and explain why I have it (either because I prefer it that way, or because I can't afford the newer thing, or because I can't be bothered to care, or because this one has sentimental value), they back right off.
Ok-Lavishness-349@reddit
It varies - a lot of people actively like vintage gear. I drive a 34 year-old car and I get compliments about it at red lights and in parking lots almost weekly. Similarly, vintage audio gear, musical instruments, cookware, watches, tools, and motorcycles have a lot of aficionados.
Tech gear, not so much. I showed up at a consulting gig once with a several year old laptop in the early 2000's when laptop technology was undergoing rapid improvement and had to endure snide comments from my coworkers about my ancient laptop.
texasrigger@reddit
That hasn't been my personal experience. I deliberately lean into outdated and vintage stuff and generally the feedback I get is positive.
Hermit-Gardener@reddit
It's not "outdated," it's Classic.
Consumerism peer pressure is a thing encourage by manufacturers who make new things and don't get paid if you don't buy new things.
The12th_secret_spice@reddit
A kickstart dirt bike? Sign me up, I think they look cool when you start the bike.
That dude is a bitch and probably got embarrassed one time he couldn’t kickstart his bike.
9inez@reddit
If you don’t give a shit what others think, especially about things that have no bearing on the world, there is shame.
Remarkable_Table_279@reddit
Only by jerks. Or children/teens…same diff
Prestigious-Dog-2150@reddit
Yes. Everything you’ve ever seen or heard about Americans is true. I have just one question: don’t the people of the world have anything better to do than worry about Americans? “I saw an American sneeze. Do Americans sneeze a lot?” “I saw an American bend over to tie his shoe. Do Americans bend over a lot?” “I heard an American cough. Do Americans cough a lot?”
ITrCool@reddit
As with most things, it's dependent on the person/thing being discussed.
Smartphones for example: some people believe they MUST HAVE the latest and greatest model at all times each year. Others like me don't give a rip about it and stick with the phone they have until it breaks or the battery just won't hold a charge anymore. I typically get about five years out of my phones before I replace them.
Cars as another example: I know folks who lease and JUST HAVE to get an upgraded latest and greatest model of their car yearly and look down on folks who keep their cars long-term. I'm someone who believes in paying off a vehicle and owning it for at least a few years before it's time to give it up and trade it in (my personal rule is when the repair cost intersects or outgrows the value of the car, it's time to let it go).
Previous-Space-7056@reddit
My co worker had a flip phone…. We joked about it, nothing THAT serious… but cmon its a flip phone
He eventually had to upgrade when it finally gave out
Waltz_whitman@reddit
Maybe in certain, performative groups of people. Regular folks won’t judge bc you drive an old car or don’t have the newest gizmo.
Scrappy_The_Crow@reddit
Some people are like that, even to strangers, but the overwhelming majority of people aren't.
One time, I was doing photography at a large yearly party some friends hosted. When things were winding down, I got out the laptop I used for events and started downloading from my camera's memory cards. Some guy came right up and said "Wow, nice laptop!" He was being sarcastic and condescending because it was an old IBM A31P ThinkPad. I responded in a serious horrified manner "You're not going to steal it, are you!?!?!" Smugly, he said "What? Why would I want that?" My answer was "Exactly." He thought he was shaming me, but I intentionally used that laptop at events because it was functional, inexpensive, and highly unlikely to be stolen because of its obvious age.
Bluemonogi@reddit
Not among people I know.
Old-Vermicelli7116@reddit
America is a very large and diverse country. What you are asking about is much more an "in a particular community" thing. It may happen in a localized face-to-face community such as a particular highschool or small town or section of a city. Most often you see it in online communities of "fan boys" for a particular thing.
Most Americans really, truly don't give a shit what you do or what you own.
SignificantDogs@reddit
In the US, the majority of "enthusiast" communities are dick-measuring contests. It's about flexing the cost of your gear, clothes, whatever. In the US, people are very self-conscious about driving older cars, living in a smaller home, etc. This goes all the way to animals where people use expensive pets as a status symbol. To many if not most Americans, "status anxiety" is one of the biggest fears they have. So in general, the entire country holds tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt, $50K+ of car debt, they take out huge loans to build pools, boats, motorcycles, etc. Rich people hate the poor, but nobody hates the poor like other poor people who will abuse public-facing service workers because they are an easy target.
122922@reddit
Only by bullies, children, children of bullies and entitled people.
Hoopajoops@reddit
It's actually pretty uncommon to get hammered for having older things. Most people just don't care. People driving a 30 year old car with dings but is reliable for a daily driver.. go for it! Much cheaper than putting those miles on a new car
Responsible_Ask3976@reddit
Not in my circle of people. My boyfriend drives a 2015 Honda civic but makes $235k base pay per year. Not having a car payment or expensive payments is truly liberating
PerfectlyCalmDude@reddit
That's not a he point, you always have to have a cat debt! /s
Responsible_Ask3976@reddit
🤪🤪🤪
Teri-k@reddit
Common? Not at all. Will it happen to somebody somewhere? Probably. Every country has jerks, not just the US.
EEJams@reddit
If you surround yourself by idiots and try to keep up with the Jonese's, then yeah.
If you surround yourself with smart, non materialistic people, then you'll be good.
I think it's OK to own a few "top of the line" items, but if everything you own is top of the line, then i start wondering how much debt you're drowning in. I cringe at some of the huge purchases other people make simply because they could afford to make the payments.
Working_Elephant5344@reddit
It’s entirely dependent on your environment. This is probably the case if you live in LA and are caught up in influencer culture. In many other environments, this isn’t the case.
Bright_Eyes83@reddit
hard to say if it's common. common enough that everyone knows that some people do it, but the people who do it are considered immature and in the minority and even not as serious as they think they are
2PlasticLobsters@reddit
That's probably mostly a thing in wealthy "upscale" areas like Belair or the Hamptions.
A couple of my college friends grew up in Potomac, Maryland, which is a lot like this. They came from one of the few older & less ritzy neighborhoods & weren't like that at all. But they had to deal with it in school. There was a lot of status seeking & put-downs for people who didn't have the right designer clothes or fancy cars.
This was back in the 80s. Probably that attitude now also includes electronics & other things that didn't exit back then. But people in most areas don't care.
FlippingPossum@reddit
Nah. My son's friends think his 2002 Chevy Prizm is dope. He thinks it is hilarious watching them try to roll down the windows. Plus, no worries about damaging it.
the-quibbler@reddit
Gatekeeping exists for any differentiator you can imagine. Literally any one.
jeff1074@reddit
Most people on hobby subreddits are very rude and think that everyone has 10k to drop on the hobby otherwise they are faking it. I don’t go to hobby subReddit’s anymore they are so depressing. No people don’t shit on you for not having something brand new. I have a 17 year old car, a 6 year old phone, and a 10 year old pc. They all run great so there is no need to drop money on the brand new thing. It’s very normal.
xeno_4_x86@reddit
Depends who your friend group is. I'm gen Z and most of my friends really enjoy my older stuff. My main car is a 1998 and I still have a TV from 1997 I still use as my main tv.
Any-Investment5692@reddit
Yes... Having an old phone equals getting insulted.. but it doesn't happen anymore.. People used to make fun of people driving old cars back in 2005.. Now.. Nobody makes fun of someone driving a 20-30 year old car. People used to make fun of people living in a century old home in 2005.. Now... People covet century old homes cause new homes suck. People being shamed for old or outdated stuff really doesn't happen anymore. Now a days you get shammed for your political views on both the left and the right. My sister is a lefty and she was shamed for not being far left. I'm center right and have been attacked for not being far right and ive been attacked by the left for being center right. No matter what you get attacked. Most people today keep their mouth shut and vote in private.. Unless you live in a super woke city or a super red area. Then people vomit their political beliefs and then go on witch hunts for ideological purity in their community. I've found left leaning areas to be the least tolerant.. even violent, while red leaning areas to be snide with quiet rejection or judgement. I'm talking about extreme's.. As a conservative i felt right at home in NYC. While in the bay area i felt like i was walking on eggshells everywhere i went. Then in rural deep red rural regions i felt welcomed right up until i disagree with them on one issue and then the silent retreat happens. I single issue can get you labeled as a Nazi, or a commie depending on whom your talking too. So i just don't talk about politics.
cballowe@reddit
Depends who you're hanging out with. There are communities that are obsessed with having the "best" and there are people who will applaud you for keeping something older running. If you're in a competitive scene and winning, nobody will give you shit. If you're losing, they'll all tell you what you're doing wrong and what you could buy to do better.
Sometimes the gear IS the hobby and sometimes it's the things that the gear enables.
Fred42096@reddit
More of a thing from the latter half of the 20th century. No one really cares now, if anything being thrifty is “in” in a lot of places
Certain-Monitor5304@reddit
It's usually just a few very insecure people that have nothing better to do with their lives.
twxf@reddit
In my experience it's only people who are young and/or poor who will shit on others for using something "outdated". Assuming the older version of whatever it is (say a dirt bike in this case) is still just as functional as the new one.
StinkyLittleBird@reddit
It depends. When I was going to community college, a lot of the students were judgy, week-off and would make fun of people for not having new stuff (I was made fun of for not having an iPhone in 2011 lol). But when I moved away to go to university in 2016, people weren’t like that. It all depends on where you’re at
Sumo148@reddit
We still drive a 2006 Toyota Camry. It’s 20 years old and still runs great, no need to get rid of it. Too many Americans are ok with debt to have the latest model. We’re happy not having a car payment. We’d buy a (new to us) car in cash if needed.
Maybe it depends on your circle, but everyone I associate with is not snobbish. Someone that would act that way would not be a friend.
Maurice_Foot@reddit
Yeah, in 40+ years have inly ever gotten 1 new car. All the rest used of one form or another.
Alarmed-Extension289@reddit
This is a common behavior for children (Teens) and the emotionally stunted young adult. No, it's not common and if anything it's seen as an elitist attitude.
oneislandgirl@reddit
People who shame you for having something outdated don't deserve to be your friends. Real friends don't treat you like that.
gagnatron5000@reddit
You'll only ever be hassled by people who don't matter.
WFOMO@reddit
This!
Justadropinthesea@reddit
Not where I live!
mattenthehat@reddit
A little bit. We are a land of consumers, after all. Only douchebags will actually care, though.
Recent example, started skiing with a new friend who is a very good skier but all their gear is super old. Our friend group did tease them a bit about it, and they ended up upgrading. I hope they know it's in good fun, because I actually thought the old gear was super cool, but at the same time with a sport like that, having modern equipment really does genuinely make the experience better, so hopefully it's all for the best.
Ok-Energy-9785@reddit
No
jrhawk42@reddit
Yeah, sadly it's super common until the item is old enough it's unobtainable for most people then it becomes desired again. Own a 20 year old car and it's a clunker, but own a 50 year old car and it's a collectible.
It's like being frugal/poor is a sin in American society. Many people feel like they need to prove, or fake they have a lot of income even when they don't, or don't need to.
And not everybody does this just enough people to make it a thing.
Some_Rando2@reddit
Among the well off, but not among average people so much.
MrLongWalk@reddit
No, the vast majority won’t notice or care
Wyzt@reddit
Between friends it doesnt matter, will make fun of you for anything. Old car? Make fun of it. New car every two years? Make fun of wasting money. Gotta keep you on your toes.
SteampunkExplorer@reddit
I've never seen adults acting that way, but I also don't own a dirt bike, so I don't know. 🤷♀️ But if someone tried to pull that on me, I'd probably look them in the eye and say "well, luckily I'm not thirteen, so I don't care".
Playing that game is not normal or acceptable over here, so they'd be the one to lose face, and hopefully they'd grow up a little.
SaintJimmy1@reddit
Maybe within certain hobbyist groups, perhaps with yours. For example I know nothing about dirt bikes so if you were to talk to me about them I wouldn’t care how outdated your e-start is cause I don’t really know what that is to begin with.
the_quark@reddit
If you're curious, an e-start is a battery and starter motor; you press a button on the bike (hopefully) starts.
The alternative is a kick-starter.
Penguin_Life_Now@reddit
Not really, I have a 20 year old beater car that I use run around town, go to the grocery store, etc. even though I could afford buying it again 10 times over with the money I have on hand in the bank.
Inevitable-Fruit6814@reddit
It depends. Consumerism is definitely big here but there’s so many different sub cultures in the U.S. I have definitely been asked why I don’t have the newest iPhone or a new car even tho my stuff is 3 years old. When I’m at school it’s definitely way different than being home even tho I’m in the same state.
Apptubrutae@reddit
Yeah, absolutely a regional component.
I’m originally from New Orleans and I can’t even fathom someone who isn’t a transplant or a tourist or a dumb kid making any negative comment whatsoever about your phone. Even if you somehow carried around a wireless rotary phone, lol.
But when I lived in Southern California? Sure. Still wouldn’t be common, but more plausible
TranslatorBoring2419@reddit
I'm from an atv crowd and nobody will get shamed for having a banshee or 250r and they are only Kickstart
No-Agent5480@reddit
The US is known to be consumerist as a culture, but this is going to vary wildy by person and community.
Apptubrutae@reddit
It’s also MUCH more common to see people peacocking with their own consumer goods than it is to see people putting down others for what they don’t consume. At least in front of your face.
SockSock81219@reddit
On the internet, everyone's a tough-guy know-it-all blowhard, probably myself included (and I highly doubt this is exclusive to the US)!
In the streets, we mostly try to ignore each other. Only creeps, lunatics, and punkass kids would shout something derogatory at a stranger.
If you want to join some kind of niche IRL community, it'll vary in every location with its own characters. Craig might give you some guff and Carly might be aloof and unimpressed but here comes Chris all welcoming and happy to see you.
So, "get shit on" is highly relative and probably not worth listening to, unless impressing everyone, everywhere is your goal.
The_Lawn_Ninja@reddit
Only if you're rich, rich-adjacent, or delusional.
Apptubrutae@reddit
Gotta be delusional either way. Just being rich doesn’t make shaming someone for not spending their money any better
Interesting-Quit-847@reddit
I’m into photography. I’m sure there are people who will give you side-eye for not having the latest Sony whatever. I don’t go near those people online or in life and if one of them looked askance at my 1949 Leica IIIc, I’d look askance at them. There will always be people like that, I don’t think it’s an American trait. Some of the most preoccupied with the hierarchy of consumer goods people I’ve met have been German.
Robot_Dracula@reddit
Yeah I see it all the time. Especially in electronics. If you’re photographer, if you don’t have the latest and greatest you’re looked down on when it doesn’t matter. Using an old phone? People may wonder why you haven’t upgraded when the last three generations still work just fine. America has a throw away mentality.
spaetzlechick@reddit
Just look at home remodeling communities in Reddit. Have to replace everything the moment you move in. Utter BS.
Round_Rooms@reddit
Depends on what you are talking about, a lot of people love old or outdated things, if someone is shaming it's likely in jest, if they are truly shaming you they will be cut out of your life lol
RevolutionaryGuess82@reddit
And most Americans just ignore mouthy jerks and continue with our day.
No_Tamanegi@reddit
I've found motorcyclists to be some of the most steadfast believers in "The old ways are the best ways" even when its provably false: they love kickstarters, carburetors, non-ABS brakes, etc.
alkatori@reddit
Yes and No.
So among friends, having people make fun of something of yours, in a joking manner is normal.
Among strangers or just acquaintances? extremely rude.
TruckADuck42@reddit
Honestly, I find you generally won't get "shit on" unless its actively a detriment to what you're doing. As long as your Kickstart works in your example, people might give you shit (which is very different from them "shitting on you"; it's much more light-hearted). If it doesn't work or you can't operate it, then yeah, you'll get clowned.
This is also only true in cases where the new version is cheap enough to be common and enough of a convenience to be worth it. Something like an E-start on a bike would qualify.
Also, if people know its a money issue or something they won't likely talk shit. Most people in the US aren't big on kicking people while they're down. There's always that one asshole, but we're talking in generalizations here.
Hoobi_Goobi@reddit
I feel like people do this with cars a lot. I would personally not want a loved one to be driving an outdated car, not due to appearances or materialistic reasons, but for safety features. Same thing with outdated power tools, cooking appliances, heaters, etc. My 95yo grandmother uses ancient everything and I'm so paranoid about her house burning down
goblin_hipster@reddit
In real life, no one gives a shit except for teenagers.
SymbolicRemnant@reddit
It’s common to think you will be thanks to marketing. I’m sure it happens but you can avoid the subcultures that do so pretty easily (I haven’t encountered much of it)
No-Donkey-4117@reddit
Nah, man. It's vintage.
Parking_Abalone_1232@reddit
Just look at who we elected to President - a second time - and tell me we have ANY shame.
KJHagen@reddit
I seem to see that a lot more on social media than in real life.
ChanFry@reddit
It happens, but not as often as one might think.
In fact, I've often used this as a way to narrow down my friend groups. If someone insists the thing I bought isn't good enough because it's not top of the line, then I know they're not someone I want to hang out with.
Little-Pixie-Belle@reddit
In public schools you'll get that, mostly because kids are assholes. Also in some specialty interests where people compete to have the best new thing
drumberg@reddit
There are definitely some people like that. You welcome those comments so you know who the douchebags are.
DwarvenRedshirt@reddit
Only if you're amongst a bunch of kids.
Airplade@reddit
I've been in the antiquities trades for 48 years. I've pot three kids through college by collecting/restoring and reselling "outdated" items.
No shame here!
thingsbetw1xt@reddit
As a general cultural thing, nobody gives a shit what you do or buy. That doesn't mean some people aren't assholes.
moles-on-parade@reddit
Last time I went mountain biking I showed up in a 21-year-old car with a twenty-year-old bike on the rack. Easily the oldest car and bike at the trailhead that day. I felt a bit proud of that, tbh.
Coldfyre_Dusty@reddit
Some will. Others have a lot of respect for keeping up the classics, or having something "retro". There are guys who will always buy the newest truck available, and there's the guy who keeps a vintage 80s F-150 in peak condition.
transhighpriestess@reddit
Not culturally, no. Depends on your social group.
Slowmotionfro@reddit
Some will some dont care it isn't really black and white
No-Pickle-8200@reddit
If your stuff is old enough, it becomes cool again. For example, I know someone who has some old jet skis from the 80s/90s… the people on the lake think they are cool and nostalgic at this point, not “outdated”
semisubterranean@reddit
It depends on who you spend time with. Some people prefer old things. Some people constantly chase newness. Some people want to find the best deal. Others want to show off their wealth.
As Walt Whitman wrote, "Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)"
PC_Friar@reddit
Probably, till it’s vintage then you’re cool again.
NPHighview@reddit
Common, yes. Universal, absolutely not.
AnotherPint@reddit
Not really. Internet bragposting is not a reflection of real life.
AMac50000@reddit
Some people will judge you no matter what you do. The vast majority will pay no attention to you at all.
Less-Load-8856@reddit
Only in some cunty circles.
Those sorts of people are everywhere, but proportionally it's a minority.
One in every group-ish, or some spoiled or overly materialistic or trendy groups.
Historical_Badger321@reddit
That's called being a materialistic asshole. Especially in today's economy.
TheDadThatGrills@reddit
No, just for keeping it in poor condition. Outdated items that are well maintained typically is respected.
Jub1982@reddit
You will get shamed by someone for something. Don’t have something or have something old and you’re poor. Have the newest and best and you’re entitled and spoiled. Don’t worry what other people say.
Majestic_Hawk_1335@reddit
Keeping up with the joneses.