"Snobs" in Trinity

Oneywu · 31-12-2013 02:14AM #1

Hello, I am a Trinity BESS student, I was just wondering do people here find that Trinity students live up to the "snobby" stereotype. I find many of my fellow students, perhaps inadvertently are quite snobbish as they come from rich backgrounds. They only stay within their clique and thats it. Is this just all in my head or what?

Mulqers · 31-12-2013 11:45AM

Lots of uppity lower middle class snobbery nowadays from people (and their parents) who think they've "made it" because they got accepted into some course at TCD.

The days of the thick English public schoolboy being packed off to Trinity College, Dublin are long gone.

People think they're associated with some privileged elite because the buildings look nice, but Trinity is essentially like any other HETAC institution in Ireland -- totally reliant on government funding.

The Harry Potter effect still lingers -- you can't knock down buildings. However, you can strip the insides out of them and put in lovely open plan offices and 3m^2 student residences.

Frank Lee Midere · 31-12-2013 11:48AM

He wasn't talking about "lower middle class snobbery" though. An interesting choice if words, because unless you believe all students at trinity are "lower middle class" then you are ignoring middle to upper class snobbery. If it exists.

gugleguy · 31-12-2013 11:52AM

Thanks for posting in TCD and not After-hours. Expecting flood of indignation from other TCD people ..who will no doubt have thread shoved into After Hours in time for Colege Green new year festivities.

Mulqers · 31-12-2013 11:54AM

Frank Lee Midere wrote: »

He wasn't talking about "lower middle class snobbery" though. An interesting choice if words, because unless you believe all students at trinity are "lower middle class" then you are ignoring middle to upper class snobbery. If it exists.

The upper classes have the good sense to send their kids to the UK (where they were probably educated too).

The middle classes (a dying breed) are never the snobby ones in my experience -- they're too reserved for that kind of behaviour, it's the LMCs who clamber over one another like rats to get another rung up the class ladder or get one over on their neighbour with the new car. Trinity College attracts these types like flies to sh*t.

Dan_Solo · 31-12-2013 11:58AM

How do you know when somebody's been to Trinity College?
They tell you.
:-)

Frank Lee Midere · 31-12-2013 12:00PM

Mulqers wrote: »

The upper classes have the good sense to send their kids to the UK (where they were probably educated too).

The middle classes (a dying breed) are never the snobby ones in my experience -- they're too reserved for that kind of behaviour, it's the LMCs who clamber over one another like rats to get another rung up the class ladder or get one over on their neighbour with the new car. Trinity College attracts these types like flies to sh*t.

You seem to be the very exemplar of upper class snobbery he was talking about. Lower middle class people are not snobbish in Ireland. They can't afford it. I don't buy this "restrained" upper class bollocks - Ireland's upper classes are semi criminal. I don't see them getting educated in the UK either. Who in Irish life has an OXbridge degree?

Mulqers · 31-12-2013 12:27PM

Frank Lee Midere wrote: »

You seem to be the very exemplar of upper class snobbery he was talking about. Lower middle class people are not snobbish in Ireland. They can't afford it. I don't buy this "restrained" upper class bollocks - Ireland's upper classes are semi criminal. I don't see them getting educated in the UK either. Who in Irish life has an OXbridge degree?

I'm far from upper class. Anyway why are you personalising this? Can you give an example of one of these upper class "criminals"?

You talk about "Irish life" -- what do you mean by this? Is there some Irish nouveau aristocracy that I haven't heard about?

The people who value their privacy, the quiet country life and are successful in business don't pose for photos for the Sunday Indo or do radio interviews. They simply don't need to. If they needed to earn €100k a year to make the repayments for their McMansion on 1 acre, they wouldn't run for office like career politician muck savages from the country do -- they wouldn't stoop to that level.

feelgoodinc27 · 31-12-2013 12:40PM

Mulqers wrote: »

they wouldn't run for office like career politician muck savages from the country do -- they wouldn't stoop to that level.

How quaint.

Mulqers · 31-12-2013 12:42PM

feelgoodinc27 wrote: »

How quaint.

If you think you're upper class because you got elected into Dail Eireann, best of luck to you.

Extrasupervery · 31-12-2013 02:09PM

I've attended Trinity and another Dublin University, and I do see what you mean OP. Some of those at Trinity have an elitist attitude. Leave them at it and don't let it get to you!

wtlltw · 31-12-2013 02:30PM

Mulqers wrote: »

Lots of uppity lower middle class snobbery nowadays from people (and their parents) who think they've "made it" because they got accepted into some course at TCD.

The days of the thick English public schoolboy being packed off to Trinity College, Dublin are long gone.

People think they're associated with some privileged elite because the buildings look nice, but Trinity is essentially like any other HETAC institution in Ireland -- totally reliant on government funding.

The Harry Potter effect still lingers -- you can't knock down buildings. However, you can strip the insides out of them and put in lovely open plan offices and 3m^2 student residences.

Strangely there seems to be more English Public school kids going to Trinity these days (or they all just hang out together in large groups - got a bit of a flashback of the 80's Sloane Rangers when I walked past a group recently

One of them would have lost points for drinking a can of Dutch Gold but his mate had a sparkling new Audi so that made amends).

bscm · 31-12-2013 02:36PM

Oneywu wrote: »

Hello, I am a Trinity BESS student, I was just wondering do people here find that Trinity students live up to the "snobby" stereotype. I find many of my fellow students, perhaps inadvertently are quite snobbish as they come from rich backgrounds. They only stay within their clique and thats it. Is this just all in my head or what?

It is an unfortunate attribute of some BESS students and some of the other Arts Block courses. Make friends in societies/club, venture down past the pitches to mingle with us Hamilton folk. Some Arts people are lovely, but there definitely is less snobbery once you leave the Arts Block.

Ravelleman · 31-12-2013 03:28PM

In life one will come across nice people and unpleasant people. This applies equally to Trinity.

EuropeanSon · 01-01-2014 12:39AM

Mulqers wrote: »

Lots of uppity lower middle class snobbery nowadays from people (and their parents) who think they've "made it" because they got accepted into some course at TCD.

The days of the thick English public schoolboy being packed off to Trinity College, Dublin are long gone.

People think they're associated with some privileged elite because the buildings look nice, but Trinity is essentially like any other HETAC institution in Ireland -- totally reliant on government funding.

The Harry Potter effect still lingers -- you can't knock down buildings. However, you can strip the insides out of them and put in lovely open plan offices and 3m^2 student residences.

You've obviously not been in the arts block recently. I know at least 10 people very well who fit that exact description, and know of far more who probably do.

EuropeanSon · 01-01-2014 12:42AM

Mulqers wrote: »

The upper classes have the good sense to send their kids to the UK (where they were probably educated too).

The middle classes (a dying breed) are never the snobby ones in my experience -- they're too reserved for that kind of behaviour, it's the LMCs who clamber over one another like rats to get another rung up the class ladder or get one over on their neighbour with the new car. Trinity College attracts these types like flies to sh*t.

Very few send their children to the UK for education.

Your post should be an embarrassment to yourself. If you require an expansion on that statement, you are beyond help.

playedalive · 01-01-2014 08:53AM

Oneywu wrote: »

Hello, I am a Trinity BESS student, I was just wondering do people here find that Trinity students live up to the "snobby" stereotype. I find many of my fellow students, perhaps inadvertently are quite snobbish as they come from rich backgrounds. They only stay within their clique and thats it. Is this just all in my head or what?

Hmmm..I can definitely see where you are going with this. I definitely found that people, like those who went to the 'Private Schools' in Dublin, knew other people from that scene (probably through school stuff like debating) before college and would automatically be college friends. So I guess that the need to make friends didn't appear to be necessary and that, for me, college was not really as welcoming as I thought from the onset (particularly in the Arts Block). I think people who lived in Halls found it a lot easier to make groups of friends than people who lived at home in Dublin (I have heard this before from other people). I definitely found the social aspect of TCD quite tough while I was there (2009-13). Maybe it was because I am quite reserved, but I did find people quite cliquey. Even in the societies I joined and made the effort to go to for a while, people were not interested in getting to know new people even though they came across that way during freshers week, etc. Maybe it was because I didn't join until after 1st year. Maybe it was just the societies I joined, who knows.

I don't think it is right to say 'wealthy backgrounds' as the whole reason to what you are referring to as a 'snobby' attitude. I think some people may be elitist by nature and this can bring out quite a bit of arrogance in people. I think the fact there is such an elitist reputation to TCD and that many of the students worked here to get there accentuates it, and might make those who are a bit arrogant grate a bit more. But I think you can get that anywhere and not just in Trinity.

folamh · 01-01-2014 10:40AM

I have attended TCD and UCD. I have personally observed more "snobbery" in UCD, mostly from wealthy Dublin kids towards people from "dha country". TCD students are more culturally and ethnically diverse, possibly due to international prestige, the access programme and scholarships. There are people from all sorts of backgrounds in my course, many of whom would be considered working class or underprivileged. I don't think UCD have programmes like TAP in place.

I'm not saying UCD people are all snobs nor that it's not a good college, nor that Trinity is an egalitarian utopia.

SureYWouldntYa · 01-01-2014 06:29PM

On CAO day when everyone was posting what they got, whenever someone got into NUIG, UCD etc they got loads of likes, people commenting under saying congrats etc

Then I say im happy to get an offer from TCD, and im accused of bragging.

It's more of a public perception that Trinity is snobby than the actual people

Oneywu · 01-01-2014 11:39PM

Perhaps "snobby" isn't the word I meant to use, I find people in Trinity very cliquey. As in I find the social side of college quite disappointing, not saying my classmates are pricks or anything but as they all live together or went to school together they don't really "need" anymore friends. Just wondering if other people find it similar or am I just a weirdo?

Larianne · 01-01-2014 11:43PM

I think bigger courses such as BESS can be difficult to make friends in. Is there any societies related to BESS that you could join? Something like DUBES maybe? Go to class nights out etc. Involve yourself in the student union, run for class rep etc?

Trinity has an amazing choice of societies and sports clubs. You just have to make the effort to join them.

Jammyc · 02-01-2014 11:51AM

We were doing so well... How long is it since we've had a thread like this?

Realistically, having spent 4 years in TCD and now in UCD, I can see where the OP sees the snobbery but there are an equal amount, if not more down to earth people in TCD that its easy enough to not associate yourself with those you wouldn't want to.

blucey · 02-01-2014 08:29PM

Mulqers wrote: »

Lots of uppity lower middle class snobbery nowadays from people (and their parents) who think they've "made it" because they got accepted into some course at TCD.

The days of the thick English public schoolboy being packed off to Trinity College, Dublin are long gone.

People think they're associated with some privileged elite because the buildings look nice, but Trinity is essentially like any other HETAC institution in Ireland -- totally reliant on government funding.

The Harry Potter effect still lingers -- you can't knock down buildings. However, you can strip the insides out of them and put in lovely open plan offices and 3m^2 student residences.

err, no its not
its close to 50-50 state and non state. And much of that state is the block grant and the fee remission.
Just for info.

Monsieur Folie · 03-01-2014 11:25PM

I spend most of my time down in the Hamilton and I never see this sort of behaviour. For the most part people are lovely and the "snobbish" attitude is nowhere to be seen.

I'm in the arts block far less frequently but even when I am I don't see much of it either. There's a slightly more prevalent air of snobbery (but only slightly and by a minority) but I'm sure that's the same with any college campus arts block..

There are, of course, snobs in Trinity but I think it's a total myth that Trinity is packed with them and that all of the other campuses are snob-free. If you associate with decent people you'll hardly notice it.

Siobhan6 · 06-01-2014 09:37PM

The fact that you guys are actually arguing over this is such a "middle class Trinity student" thing to do.

Personally I find Trinity extremely snobby and have been strangely lonely in my three years here, which is unusual for someone who is generally very sociable. I just don't fit in with wealthy kids whose parents wait on them hand and foot and throw money at them whenever they think they need it. I'm not saying that all Trinity students are like that, of course, but I have found that a LOT of them have very little understanding of what it means to have to pay your own way through life and therefore lack appreciation of the opportunities they've been given. You only have to look at the surprising amount of people who failed a year due to having too many nights out and not doing any work and then had their parents pay six and a half grand for them to just resit it.

I'm an arts student from a single parent background with three older siblings and unfortunately in my personal experience I've found if you live on a tight budget you're pretty much excluded from the same kind of student life as everyone else. And by tight I mean living on 40 or 50 euro per week...not really enough for food, transport, clothing and wonderful nights out all at the same time!

But that makes a good challenge at the same time! It makes me value the few close really friends that I have here a whole lot more!

partyatmygaff · 06-01-2014 10:17PM

Over the last two years, I haven't met a single person that could be described as snobby. Maybe it's the course i'm doing (Pharmacy) but I really haven't seen a single example of the stereotypical snobby "Trinity student".

Maybe it's just an arts thing. Even at that, I know a few people in arts (mainly history) and they're all just as down to earth as my friends down the east end of college.

SureYWouldntYa · 06-01-2014 10:21PM

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Over the last two years, I haven't met a single person that could be described as snobby. Maybe it's the course i'm doing (Pharmacy) but I really haven't seen a single example of the stereotypical snobby "Trinity student".

Maybe it's just an arts thing. Even at that, I know a few people in arts (mainly history) and they're all just as down to earth as my friends down the east end of college.

im over in the Hamilton side of campus too, and can't recall seeing too many "snobs", i really think it exaggerated by some people

Polka_Dot · 06-01-2014 11:45PM

I've never really experienced any snobbery either bar one or two individuals. In fact, a lot of the people I know who act snobby are those who went to average working/middle class schools but who have these illusions of Trinity being more prestigious and better than other colleges and see themselves as above their peers from home. I have also encountered some pretentious rich **** too, but you're going to get people like that no matter where you go. Again I'm in the Hamilton so maybe it is more prevalent in the Arts end of campus.

UCDCritic · 07-01-2014 11:33PM

Oneywu wrote: »

Hello, I am a Trinity BESS student, I was just wondering do people here find that Trinity students live up to the "snobby" stereotype. I find many of my fellow students, perhaps inadvertently are quite snobbish as they come from rich backgrounds. They only stay within their clique and thats it. Is this just all in my head or what?

It's even worse in UCD

We get the thick Snobs who weren't intelligent enough to get into TCD

Jhax · 08-01-2014 12:58AM

People are people, you find different kinds of them no matter where you are. Don't have that discourage you from doing something you want. I have to say I'm in my last year at TCD and it hasn't been so enjoyable, but that being said I didn't make an a huge effort to meet people with interests like mine so I'm not going to blame the college.

Long story short, TCD has snobs but you'll find people who you can enjoy your time with if you make the effort to find them

SeaDaily · 08-01-2014 01:04AM

UCDCritic wrote: »

It's even worse in UCD

We get the thick Snobs who weren't intelligent enough to get into TCD

Yes, because you have to be more intelligent to get into Trinity....

"Snobs" in Trinity

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