7 things low-class people do that they think look high-class, according to sociologists

Ever notice how some people try so hard to appear sophisticated that it actually has the opposite effect?

In my years as a financial analyst, I watched colleagues and clients from all economic backgrounds navigate social situations.

The most fascinating pattern I observed was how often people misread what actually signals class and refinement. True elegance, I learned, has very little to do with what you can buy and everything to do with how you carry yourself.

Sociologists have been studying these behaviors for decades, and their findings might surprise you. The things we often think make us look refined can actually broadcast insecurity and status anxiety louder than any designer label ever could.

Let me walk you through seven behaviors that sociologists say people often mistake for high-class markers, when they actually suggest the opposite.

1) Name-dropping and constant brand mentions

You know that person who manages to work their designer handbag or luxury car into every conversation? Or the one who can't tell a story without mentioning which celebrity they once saw at a restaurant?

According to sociological research, this constant need to reference status symbols actually signals what researchers call "status anxiety." When someone feels genuinely secure in their position, they don't need to remind everyone of it constantly.

I remember a former colleague who would literally turn her designer bags label-side-out during meetings. Meanwhile, our CEO, who I knew came from old money, carried the same worn leather briefcase for years.

The contrast taught me everything about real versus performed sophistication.

Jordan Peterson addresses this perfectly when he says, "Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today." The constant need to signal status through brands is really about comparison and competition, not genuine self-worth.

2) Using complex vocabulary incorrectly

Have you ever been in a conversation where someone throws around big words but uses them slightly wrong? Or speaks in such convoluted sentences that their point gets completely lost?

Sociologists call this "linguistic overcompensation." Studies show that truly educated and sophisticated individuals actually tend to communicate more simply and clearly. They understand their audience and adjust accordingly.

During my finance days, I noticed the smartest analysts could explain complex derivatives to anyone. But there was always that one person in meetings using jargon incorrectly, trying to sound impressive. Guess who clients trusted more?

Clear communication is a sign of clear thinking. When you truly understand something, you can explain it simply.

3) Over-tipping to impress others

This one might sting a bit, but hear me out. While generous tipping is wonderful when it comes from genuine appreciation, sociologists note that performative over-tipping, especially when done loudly or conspicuously, often comes from a place of insecurity.

I once went to dinner with a group where someone made a huge show of leaving a 50% tip, announcing it to the table and making sure the server knew exactly who was being so generous.

The truly wealthy family I later befriended? They tipped well but quietly, treating service staff with respect rather than as an audience for their generosity.

Real class means treating everyone with dignity, not using money as a prop for your personal theater.

4) Criticizing "common" things excessively

Know someone who can't enjoy a meal without complaining it's not as good as that little place in Paris? Or who dismisses popular music, movies, or books as beneath them?

Sociological studies on class behavior show that this constant criticism of mainstream culture often stems from status insecurity.

People who feel secure in their identity can appreciate quality wherever they find it, whether that's a Michelin-starred restaurant or a fantastic taco truck.

Peterson puts it brilliantly: "The line between good and evil runs through the heart of every human being."

This applies to taste too. Good and bad, refined and common, exist everywhere. The need to constantly separate yourself from "common" things reveals more about your insecurities than your sophistication.

5) Fake familiarity with high-end experiences

We all know someone who pretends to be a wine connoisseur but clearly just memorized a few terms. Or who claims to love opera but can't name a single one beyond Carmen.

Research shows that authenticity is actually one of the strongest markers of genuine upper-class behavior. People with real cultural capital feel comfortable admitting what they don't know. They ask questions. They learn.

After leaving finance, I lost most of my colleagues as friends. The experience taught me that authentic connections matter more than impressing people with false sophistication.

The friends who remained? They were the ones comfortable saying "I've never tried that, tell me about it" instead of pretending expertise.

6) Excessive formality in casual settings

Using unnecessarily formal language at a backyard barbecue or insisting on elaborate table settings for casual gatherings might seem classy, but sociologists identify this as "contextual misreading."

True sophistication means understanding context and adapting appropriately. The ability to be formal when required and relaxed when suitable shows real social intelligence.

I grew up with high-achieving parents who taught me proper etiquette, but the most valuable lesson was knowing when to use it and when to set it aside.

Being too formal in casual settings doesn't make you look refined; it makes you look uncomfortable in your own skin.

7) Buying "investment pieces" you can't afford

This hit close to home for me. After spending years in finance, I understood how people justified purchases they couldn't afford by calling them "investments." That $5,000 handbag on credit? An investment.

The luxury car lease that eats up half your income? An investment in your image.

But here's what my time analyzing financial decisions taught me: true wealth builds quietly. The genuinely wealthy people I worked with drove reliable cars and wore quality clothes that fit well, regardless of the label.

Peterson's wisdom resonates here: "Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world."

This includes your financial house. Stretching yourself thin for status symbols while neglecting real financial security is perhaps the clearest sign of class anxiety there is.

Final thoughts

After witnessing the 2008 financial crisis firsthand and watching how fear and status anxiety drove people to make terrible decisions, I learned something crucial.

I'd been using money and its trappings as a measure of self-worth, and I had to completely rebuild my self-concept.

Real class, real sophistication, has nothing to do with logos or knowing which fork to use. It's about being comfortable with who you are, treating others with respect, and having the confidence to be authentic in any situation.

The behaviors I've described aren't character flaws. They're symptoms of living in a society that constantly tells us we're not enough. But recognizing them is the first step toward developing genuine confidence and grace.

You want to know what truly high-class behavior looks like? It's kindness without expectation. It's curiosity without pretense. It's success without needing everyone to know about it.

Focus on developing genuine interests, treating people well, and building real expertise in areas that fascinate you. That's the kind of class money can't buy, and it's the kind that actually matters.