The 50th Law (with 50 Cent)

The Snob: These types have a tremendous need to be different
from others, to assert some form of superiority over the mass of
mankind. They have the most refined aesthetic tastes when it comes to
art, or film criticism, or fine wines, or gourmet food, or vintage punk
rock records. They have amassed impressive knowledge of these
things. They put a lot of emphasis on appearances—they are more
“alternative” than others, their tattoos are more unique. In many cases,
they seem to come from very interesting backgrounds, perhaps with
some exciting ancestry. Everything surrounding them is extraordinary.
Of course, it later comes out that they were exaggerating or downright
lying about their background. Beau Brummell, the notorious snob and
dandy of the early nineteenth century, actually came from a staunch
middle-class background, the opposite of what he peddled. The family
of Karl Lagerfeld, the current Chanel creative director, did not inherit
its money but made it in the most bourgeois fashion, contrary to the
stories he has told.
The truth is that banality is part of human existence. Much of our
lives is spent doing the most boring and tedious tasks. For most of us,
our parents had normal, unglamorous jobs. We all have mediocre sides
to our character and skills. Snobs are especially sensitive about this,
greatly insecure about their origins and possible mediocrity. Their way
of dealing with this is to distract and deceive with appearances (as
opposed to real originality in their work), surrounding themselves with
the extraordinary and with special knowledge. Underneath it all is the
real person waiting to come out—rather ordinary and not so very
different.

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In any case, those who are truly original and different do not need
to make a great show of it. In fact, they are often embarrassed by being
so different and learn to appear more humble. (As an example of this,
see the story of Abraham Lincoln in the section below.) Be extra wary
of those who go out of their way to make a show of their difference.