History Main / SnobbyHobbies

* Wealthy aristocrat ''Literature/LordPeterWimsey'' has two main hobbies. The first, collecting rare books, establishes him as a wealthy intellectual. The second, [[AmateurSleuth solving mysteries]], is what drives the plot.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS7E14ScenesFromTheClassStruggleInSpringfield Scenes From The Class Struggle In Springfield]]", Marge meets with an old high school classmate, who invites her and the Simpson family to the country club she's part of, and the Simpson family attempts to acclimate themselves. Even Lisa, who usually isn't by the upper-class, finds herself intrigued [[AllGirlsLikePonies because of its ponies]].

A SnobsVersusSlobs contrast may also transpire, with the lower class’s interests used as a {{Foil}} to be portrayed as more down-to-earth than the exclusive pursuits of the wealthy ([[RockIsAuthenticPopIsShallow Rock music is genuine and opera is pretentious]], football is for real men and polo is effete, and so on).

* ''Film/BatmanBegins'': Deliberately invoked by Arthur when he advises Bruce Wayne to cultivate such hobbies so that nobody asks questions about what he does with his time and money. Arthur suggests polo. Bruce refuses; but develops a reputation for wild partying, driving expensive cars, and apparently burning down his own house while drunk.

* In The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy we find that Soames Forsyte eventually becomes a serious collector of art by the time the story has entered the 1920s.

* In ''Anime/GreatPretender,'' ArcVillain James Coleman is a rich art appraiser who is famous for his appraisal skills and his rediscovery of several lost paintings, and who likes collecting art in his spare time. He's immediately established as an unlikeable snob because whenever he buys paintings, he hides them away in a secret room in his house so no one else can see them.

--->'''Bond:''' It appears we share the same passions. Well, three anyway...
--->'''Xenia:''' I count two. Motoring and... uh... baccarat.

* ''Literature/BulwerLyttonContest'': From [[https://www.bulwer-lytton.com/2022 2022]], one of the Dishonorable Mentions of the Odious Outliers category, talks about classy, a.k.a rich, people activities:

-->-- Elliott Cox, Clover, SC

--->'''Fran''': What do people ''do'' around here?
--->''(AnswerCut to a group of preppy people [[LadyDrunk all drinking cocktails]])''

->''Ev'ry duke and earl and peer is here''
->''Ev'ryone who should be here is here.''
->''What a smashing, positively dashing''
->''Spectacle: the Ascot op'ning day.''

'''Please note:''' What is considered a Snobby Hobby will vary widely across different countries and cultures.[[note]]For example, in the UK hunting is usually portrayed as a pursuit of the aristocracy and wealthy landowners, while in the US it's associated with rural working-class outdoorsman types[[/note]] Nor is a Snobby Hobby always ''exclusively'' for the wealthy -- what's important is that the work portrays it as "something rich people do".

* Macleane from the ''Film/PlunkettAndMacleane'' duo loves playing cards, exquisite clothes, playing cards, fine dining and wine and playing some more cards - and he is a ''terrible'' player. He is introduced to the audience while doing time in debtors' prison. [[WorkingClassHero Plunkett]] only ever gets involved with him, because '''[[TheyCallMeMisterTibbs Captain]]''' James Macleane can pass himself off as a gentleman, which is handy for their highwaymen gig and opens even more doors. Once the money starts rolling, Macleane turns into a full-blown UpperClassTwit whenever not on the job.

-> ''Ev'ry duke and earl and peer is here''
-> ''Ev'ryone who should be here is here.''
-> ''What a smashing, positively dashing''
-> ''Spectacle: the Ascot op'ning day.''

Snobby Hobbies are certain pastimes which are often associated with the wealthy in fiction. These tend to be (or are at least portrayed as) very expensive to participate in, insular and exclusionary through the use of inpenetrable jargon and [[SmokyGentlemensClub private clubs]] or events, and a means to hobnob with fellow members of the upper-crust. They're commonly used as an easy way to indicate that "this character is rich".

* High-roller gambling, in the form of blackjack, poker, bridge, roulette etc.

Some of these hobbies are a form of ConspicuousConsumption. Compare AlwaysCamp, where where certain jobs and hobbies are associated with the UsefulNotes/LGBTCommunity. Compare and contrast CrackIsCheaper, where nerdy hobbies (which ''do not'' overlap) are portrayed as ridiculously expensive. See also AtTheOperaTonight, when participating in highbrow artsy activities is less a hobby and more an excuse for being seen at a high society event.

* ''Film/{{Flashdance}}'': Nick Hurley started out as a street punk, much like Johnny C. However, he managed to charm an heiress, and married into higher society. Though the couple divorced later, both remain on the Pittsburgh Arts Council. From there, Nick is able to leverage an audition for Alex at the Pittsburgh Repertoire Company. It's also why Nick was seen with his ex-wife at the opera house: they weren't getting cozy, instead they were playing nice-nice as part of ''noblesse oblige''.
* ''Film/{{Intouchables}}'': Philippe is a connoiseur of modern art and even drags Driss along to show him some. As a paraplegic, he can't engage much in sports he used to enjoy, but even so, their relationship lets him get back in the figurative saddle. Driss is all fine with luxury cars, but paragliding's not his thing.

---->'''Bond:''' It appears we share the same passions. Well, three anyway...
---->'''Xenia:''' I count two. Motoring and... uh... baccarat.

* ''Film/TheManInTheIronMask1977'' has King Louis [=XIV=] playing a croquet match with one of his ministers. While the King chats up the ladies, the minister lines up his shot. An aide inquires, "You can make this [wicket], surely?" The minister quietly replies, "And risk another royal tantrum? I shall miss by a league." Although croquet equipment isn't elaborate or expensive, it does require a large, level and manicured lawn, which only the French nobility possessed at the time.

* ''Film/PrettyWoman'': Wealthy corporate raider Edward Lewis is shown playing polo and takes Vivian to the opera, deliberately contraster with Vivian's choices for leisure activities.

--> Jimothy walked into the joint like he owned the place, which he did, but not like a typical owner of a place like this; more like a classy, silver spoon owner, except not classy like wearing tuxedos to horse dancing and equine NASCAR event classy, but an eating a gas station hotdog with a knife and fork, napkin on his lap kind of classy.

* ''Series/{{CSINY}}'': The perp in the B-case of "[[Recap/CSINYS01E05 A Man a Mile]]" turns out to be a prep-school student who had befriended the victim, a poorer classmate. She kills her out of jealousy because her father had not only invited the girl to join them on a fox hunt trip to Europe, but had also afforded her the privilege of being "blooded" [[note]]having fox blood smeared on one's face at one's first hunt[[/note]] instead of his own daughter.

* ''Series/TheWestWing'': Befitting his upper-class background as a direct descendant of one of the Founding Fathers, President Josiah Bartlet is an avid collector of rare books, and is well-versed in philosophy, theology and the arts to boot.

* A notorious subversion happens in many of the post-communist countries in Europe, particularly those that ultimately joined the EU. The old regime provided numerous sports facilities and equipment for activities usually associated with wealthy people (sailing and horseback riding clubs, tennis courts, etc.) that were deliberately made accessible to the working class. Most of it survived the regime change, and while they are not as affordable as they used to be, they rarely carry the aura of high class refinement or any sort of snobbism.

Some of these hobbies are a form of ConspicuousConsumption. Compare AlwaysCamp, where where certain jobs and hobbies are associated with the UsefulNotes/LGBTCommunity. Compare and contrast CrackIsCheaper, where nerdy hobbies (which ''do not'' overlap) are portrayed as ridiculously expensive.

-->-- "Ascot Gavotte", ''Film/MyFairLady''

* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'': The 1955 ''WesternAnimation/MerrieMelodies'' cartoon "Hare Brush" (dir. Friz Freleng) establishes that WesternAnimation/ElmerFudd is a millionaire who owns a mansion and a yacht. He also enjoys hunting, as he's commonly seen trying to shoot WesternAnimation/BugsBunny and/or WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck.

* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'': The 1955 ''WesternAnimation/MerrieMelodies'' cartoon "Hare Brush" (dir. Friz Freleng) establishes that Elmer Fudd is a millionaire who owns a mansion and a yacht. He also enjoys hunting, as he's commonly seen trying to shoot Bugs Bunny and/or Daffy Duck.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': The Equestrian upper class, a loose collection of Old Money, ''noveau riche'', celebrities, and assorted hangers-on, prefers to spend its time on activities such as croquet, garden parties, perusals of art galleries, fancy dinners, the opera, and the like.

* ''Film/PrettyWoman'': Wealthy corporate raider Edward Lewis is shown playing polo and takes Vivian to the opera.

[[folder:Real Life]]
* Elon Musk is notorious for his mishandling of Twitter. Not only did he fire hundreds of essential staff members (including content moderators who ensure illegal content is kept off the platform), but he also reinstated an account that uploaded child p*rnography. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZuD44tViYI
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'''Please note:''' What is considered a Snobby Hobby will vary widely across different countries and cultures[[note]]for example, in the UK hunting is usually portrayed as a pursuit of the aristocracy and wealthy landowners, while in the US it's associated with rural working-class outdoorsman types[[/note]]. Nor is a Snobby Hobby always ''exclusively'' for the wealthy -- what's important is that the work portrays it as "something rich people do".

'''Please note:''' what is considered a Snobby Hobby will vary widely across different countries and cultures[[note]]for example, in the UK hunting is usually portrayed as a pursuit of the aristocracy and wealthy landowners, while in the US it's associated with rural working-class outdoorsman types[[/note]]. Nor is a Snobby Hobby always ''exclusively'' for the wealthy -- what's important is that the work portrays it as "something rich people do".

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

** ''Film/GoldenEye'': At the first part of the movie, James Bond goes to the luxurious Monte Carlo casino and plays baccarat with Xenia Onatopp, former Soviet pilot and - at the time - escort to a Canadian admiral. In the previous scene, Bond is driving a [=DB5=] with a woman driving instructor in tow and races against Xenia's red Ferrari. When they meet again in the casino scene, they comment on their mutual interests (or passions?):

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': The Equestrian upper class, a loose collection of old money, ''noveau riche'', celebrities, and assorted hangers-on, prefers to spend its time on activities such as croquet, garden parties, perusals of art galleries, fancy dinners, the opera, and the like.

[[folder:Western Animation]]

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