In the past several years, the bounds of good taste have gotten eroded; what used to be déclassé seems to have gotten quasi-acceptable, with perhaps this taking place in an accelerated fashion in 2016. Let's face it: we had a totally tacky election last year. One to be ashamed of. While I'm not enamored with the choice, the alternative was not so hot either. Not to make an excuse for DJT: his conduct is rude, crude, and unattractive.
But this in not the only the only thing. Rudeness is practiced widely. Insult and ridicule is now regarded as a foundation for humor. There's an eternal scrimmage for finding some fault or shame in some prominent figure's background, and exposing it with a vigor once reserved for the truly necessarily ugly realities of life. Try to imagine some lately notable figure who was in the meantime discovered to have modeled or posted a swimsuit selfie.....
Or downplaying real wrongs. Yes, I'm citing those failed shepherds, the bishops of the Catholic Church who ignored or played down the problem of priestly pedophiles. At least there is the comfort that the judgments of this world are not the final ones for these bed lice of religion!
To use an art metaphor with respect to this Tacky Shift: Claude Monet has been replaced by Ben Shahn; Antoine Watteau with Wassily Kadinsky.
Even sports has its tide of tackiness. Yes, the late hits, the obvious fouls, the doctoring of baseballs have been around. Now we have the spectacle of a former football coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons giving tips to their opponent, the University of Louisville Cardinals. Is there no loyalty left? I hereby declare this to be at least magnum tackiness, if not a real dick move on his part!
Or how about sports-themed lingerie?
And Cinnabun's Princess Leia post hit a tacky home run!
So what is still tacky?
Well, talking on a cell phone while eating or on a date fits the bill. The other diners or your escort deserve more.
Not to mention answering or calling someone on a cell phone while in a movie.
Anyone who uses or answers a phone while in amorous pursuits is heroically tacky! And even worse if it the offender tries to multitask. Talking on the phone during love-making truly sends a message and deserves no more of one of those activities!
Sorry! Buttocks, neck, or forehead tattoos are tacky, no matter where you graduated from prison or which set of boon companions you belong to.
Referring to any woman or girl as a donkey part is déclassé and uncouth; but especially if she is your mamma, maw-maw, daughter, wife, mistress, or sister. Get some breeding. Read a very basic etiquette book!
Each of us are allowed our first six years; but tantrums by older children, teens, or adults is tacky! There is no exemption to the rule for politicians, newspaper columnists, or sports figures despite what they might think.
14 comments:
You have my vote!
You got me thinking: Ben Shahn; Antoine Watteau, Wassily Kadinsky, Freud: the trick is to look at them through the eyes of their time. Then we can appreciate their impact and value, even if when viewed from today they seem hackneyed or dated. Carry on, Dear. Can't wait to see what you consider next :)
Thank you, Cloudia!
Tacky behavior is all around.
*sigh*
But what would the internet do without tacky?
We've lived in a tacky society for a few decades now. But from certain inklings I've gotten from historians tackiness is nothing new. Now it's just spread more quickly to a wider audience and accepted by more people within the society. According to some literary scholars that I've read, Shakespeare was considered somewhat tacky in his day as much of his work catered to the common folk. I guess a lot of his "tackiness" contributed to his lasting popularity.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
You make a persuasive case. To some extent though, tacky is in the eye of the beholder too. And while some people deny their tackiness, others embrace it. I don't know it it takes all kinds of people in the world, there certainly are all kinds!
Tackiness is a way of life for some. They revel in their crassness.
That lingerie is funny and not tacky.
I agree with much of what you have written here. I think of the so called fashion....having a young man's butt hang out from his pants so we see his underwear, is tacky and they need to be slapped and told to hike their pants back up. I also don't care if you are Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez or any other "star" I really don't want to see your boobs hanging out of a dress that is tacky and ugly but costs $10,000. I call that insulting. When I see young women...and sometimes older too, wear way too tight clothing and their gut is hanging out like a man who has had one too many beers in his life, I want to take them to some place and show them etiquette 101 and learn how to dress for their shape. Any dress that is cut down or up where one can see their who-ha must go.
I never knew women or girls were called 'donkeys'? I disapprove of this. Is it reserved for those with big teeth?
This was a great post, except for one thing: I don't think there actually are any boundaries of tackiness to be exceeded any more.
What did you say about the pink plastic flamingo in my yard?! I'll have you know that was handed down to me by my Ma, and she got it from her Ma. It's a family heirloom.
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Stephen, I do not consider plastic flamingoes to be tacky. I like them - they're cheerful and modern American folk art.
Oh, well, in that case... I have a plastic flamingo I'm willing to sell you, pretty cheap. Been in the family for years but still looks good. ;o)
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
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