Naturally classy people don’t have to announce this fact to others: it’s self-evident, based on how they behave on a regular basis. Those who have class won’t display the following behaviors listed and will find them off-putting in others.
1. Consistently having gutter humor.
It’s fine to occasionally say something a little low-brow, especially when you do it quietly with close friends, or if doing so will shock someone out of a foul mood and get them laughing. When this kind of gutter humor is loud and constant, however, it casts a shadow on the one expressing it.
Those in your social circle know that you’ll never horrify or embarrass them in public by cracking lewd jokes or discussing various bathroom habits. You’re far too genteel to ever do that.
2. Brazen displays of public affection.
It’s expected that teenagers will be all over each other in public, completely oblivious to how their behavior may affect others around them. While this brazen (and obtuse) behavior is expected from a person whose cerebral cortex is still squishy, it’s far less acceptable from adults, according to research.
It’s not impressing anyone and certainly isn’t the mark of a noble or refined individual. If you’re a classy person, you keep excessive physical affection behind closed doors and conduct yourself with grace when you’re out in public with loved ones.
3. Mutton behaving as wild lamb.
We all cringe when we see our esteemed elders twerking on a dance floor, or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and flirting with everyone around them. While we tend to care less about other people’s opinions as we age (and live more authentically as a result), there’s a lot to be said for aging with dignity.
As a naturally classy person, you leave the ridiculous — and often humiliating — antics to the younger crowd, and behave in a manner that earns you respect, rather than humiliation.
4. Picking your nose (or ears) in public.
While mining for gold in one’s nose or ears may feel cathartic and, according to research, is done by most of the population, it isn’t something classy people do in other people’s company. This is “self-care best done in a locked bathroom at home”, rather than on public transit, or when out with friends.
Classy people do their personal ablutions before leaving the house or excuse themselves and use a public restroom if something like this needs to be attended to immediately.
5. Littering.
Using the environment as a wastebasket isn’t something naturally classy people would ever do. If you’re particularly high in the classy stakes, you likely feel appalled if you see other people tossing garbage onto the street or into a public park, and you may even go so far as to pick up detritus and dispose of it when you’re out and about.
Classy people protect the natural world and strive to keep it clean and tidy. As such, you undoubtedly carry a reusable water bottle with you and throw away garbage responsibly.
6. Taking up more than your fair share on public transit.
Most people who have taken a bus or airplane have had to deal with a “space spreader”. These are people who sprawl across bus seats when others would like to sit down, or take their shoes off and stick their feet between the seats in front of them on long flights.
You, however, would never dream of being this inconsiderate, and ensure that you keep yourself to yourself when traveling alongside others.
7. Fishing for others’ attention.
Many people feel immensely uncomfortable when they’re a captive audience, such as being stuck on an airplane for several hours when their seatmate insists on having a conversation with them when they’d much rather just sleep, read, or watch a film in peace.
A naturally classy person like yourself respects others’ sovereignty far too much to inflict your own wants onto anyone else. Furthermore, you know how to keep yourself occupied or engaged, and don’t expect others to entertain you.
8. Demanding others’ personal details.
While you may feel curious about people’s ethnic or cultural backgrounds at times, you would never dream of being so rude and intrusive as to demand to know their personal details. Questions such as “What are you?” or “Where are you really from?” would never escape your lips.
If these people choose to share details about themselves with you, then you accept them graciously and politely. You’d never embarrass yourself (or them) by being interrogative and invading their privacy to satisfy your own curiosity.
9. Being excessively loud in public.
Unless you’re yelling at your child to prevent them from running into oncoming traffic, you’re unlikely to ever be excessively loud when out in public. You aren’t about to lose your temper and scream at your partner, or howl with inappropriate laughter, disturbing everyone within earshot.
Classy people don’t allow their emotions to run amok in public. As such, you keep your voice measured and polite, and would never stoop to yelling or howling if you happen to get upset when out with others.
10. “Baby talking” to elders or people with disabilities.
Few things are as disrespectful and dehumanizing as talking down to the elderly, or to people who have disabilities or additional needs. Unfortunately, those who lack class often use “baby talk” with these individuals, using a sing-song voice, small words, and exaggerated facial expressions to communicate with them.
In contrast, you treat everyone with respect and courtesy, and although you may adjust your vocabulary or cadence if someone requires such accommodations, you would never disrespect anyone by using belittling speech toward them.
11. Boasting.
You often know that someone is a CrossFit or yoga aficionado because they’ll mention it, and their achievements therein, a thousand times per conversation. In fact, they’ll redirect all other topics back to their own interests, and boast about their latest gains to receive praise and recognition from those around them.
Since you have far too much natural class to do this, you take quiet pride in your achievements instead of broadcasting them. If others become aware of the amazing things you’ve done, you’ll simply accept acknowledgment with grace.
12. Intentionally ignoring (or being unaware of) strong body language.
People can express a great deal with subtle expressions and body language, and it’s important to be able to read subtext. A person whose eyes are glazing over mid-conversation and repeating phrases like “That’s cool, man” or “Uh huh” does not want to continue this discussion.
Your natural class allows you to pick up on these behaviors immediately: you intuit when to walk away and leave them alone, even if they attempt to reassure you that they’re actually enjoying your company.
