Is it unusual to feel embarassed/awkward about saying you go to Oxbridge?

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Reply 20

ursistermisterx

Yes.

Reply 21

RogerOxon

Original post by DanielSmith1999

This is a bit of an odd thread, but am I the only one that feels a tad awkward or reluctant to say that they study at Oxbridge?

I’ll be studying at Ox from Oct and in my work people often ask where I’ll be going for university. Of course I tell them where, but otherwise I avoid the “Oxford” word as such to avoid people thinking I’m boastful.

Is it just me?

Just prefix it with "Don't hold it against me".

Reply 22

TimmonaPortella

Original post by RogerOxon

Just prefix it with "Don't hold it against me".

Especially when amongst Cambridge students.

Reply 23

username3675786

This has to be the most up your own arse thread I've ever seen, just say you study at Oxford and get on with it, people have better things to do than care about your university. Most people are not like people on TSR.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 24

the bear

just say "i study in the Latin Quarter of Cowley"....

Reply 25

The_Lonely_Goatherd

Original post by DanielSmith1999

Not just you at all! I try not to say it unless directly asked because I don't like how people often start treating me differently the moment I've said where I did my undergrad. It also leads people to think I know everything under the sun about classical music, when I know jack **** about it (why I thought I should study there and how I passed is still beyond me in many ways, tbh) :erm:

Reply 26

Elles

If you said you go "to Oxbridge" then you should feel embarrassed for being a fool. :tongue:

Otherwise, it is what it is if people ask. Their responses may demonstrate their own hang-ups - some people will be overly impressed and some people will feel the need to defensively ***** about them. If you're the one bringing it up out of context you'll probably look like you're humble bragging!

Reply 27

iodo345

If you are working a non graduate or menial job after going to Oxbridge then yes

Reply 28

username3911170

Original post by iodo345

If you are working a non graduate or menial job after going to Oxbridge then yes

youre such a..

Spoiler

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 29

melliottme

My daughter has a conditional offer at Oxford and is a clever kid. She is humble trys to rumb down her achievements because of others envy.
BUT if she was a brilliant runner, swimmer, actor etc then I am sure she would be trated completely differently.

This I think is a British problem.

Reply 30

nexttime

Original post by auburnstar

Very true. As people get older they realise the really important things above all else. Which isn't to say that prior experiences don't matter or weren't valuable, it's just that we become more receptive to a greater variety of people and experiences.

Really? I don't know how old you mean here but people become much more conservative as they age, and it depends on the company but in my experience older people (30 and up) seem a lot more status-driven, to care a lot more about what your job is or what uni you went to.

I think the impression that people get more liberal with age is simply because people who go to uni get more liberal. But come out again and you're back into the brexit-voting status-driven masses.

Reply 31

black1blade

Yeah I try not to mention it too much but other people keep bringing it up and it gets p annoying sometimes.

Reply 32

chazwomaq

You shouldn't feel too embarrassed about going to Oxford.

Not everyone can go to Cambridge..

Reply 33

username2538449

Why would you be embarrassed? You worked hard for it. You should be showing off

Reply 34

Fullofsurprises

Original post by melliottme

Indeed, it is the Worship of Ignorance. British culture is deeply imbued with an adoration of moronity and a delight in the stupid, the average and the mediocre. Thank goodness. It would be hateful to make too much of a fuss about our achievements, we would be here all day.

Let's all just have a nice cup of tea and gently mock some successful types.

Reply 35

Joinedup

Original post by Fullofsurprises

I think it's quite widely believed that admission is still by secret handshake and twirl of the old school tie.

Reply 36

MR1999

Original post by nexttime

Yeah if people find that out they tend to pigeon-hole you as the 'Oxford person' and there's no shaking it after that. The same goes for my occupation as well, so i tend to respond vaguely, or occasionally even overtly lie depending on the company, to avoid it.