Snobbery and poshness

Sir, – Finn McRedmond (“In class-ridden Ireland, the worst thing to be is posh”, Opinion, April 25th) questions Eoin O’Brien’s culinary menu and suggests it’s incompatible with the perception of the fare more appropriate for the common left-leaning citizen.

I’m reminded of a Labour Party activist back in the 1970s – stylishly resplendent in a tailored suit and an even sharper car – whose deflecting response was that nothing was too good for the workers! – Yours, etc,

TOMÁS FINN,

Co Galway.

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Sir, – Finn McRedmond’s amusing piece on the “finer points of snobbery” attempts to mitigate the motives and weaknesses of those who effect superiority to the rest of us through myriad assumed and equally entertaining discernments, assumptions and exclusions from their life.

Thankfully, she does not offer any explanation for the deliberate and sad change of accent, attempted by many wishing to be seen as more refined than their former peers.

What could be more amusing than coming upon an “old” friend, to whom age has been relatively kind, but who is unrecognisable because of a complete alteration of vowel sounds? And, as for any speaker of a second language, the risk of falling short on pronunciation persists, with highly diverting results. A move towards authenticity might be considered. – Yours, etc,

MONICA NOLAN,

Dublin 16.

Sir, – Finn McRedmond suggests “In class-ridden Ireland, the worst thing to be is posh.”

I would suggest the worst thing to be is a snob. One can tolerate posh any day – it has a certain endearing quality – but a snob is a frightful bore. – Yours, etc,

AIDAN RODDY,

Dublin 18.