A bourgeois mentality or bourgeois personality is a social stereotype applied to an individual who is seen as typical of the middle classes, both upper and lower, valuing economic materialism and the appearance of respectability. Exuding an image of success through consumption, personal behavior, speech and intellectual development are common attributes of a bourgeois personality.

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  • A bourgeois mentality or bourgeois personality is a social stereotype applied to an individual who is seen as typical of the middle classes, both upper and lower, valuing economic materialism and the appearance of respectability. Exuding an image of success through consumption, personal behavior, speech and intellectual development are common attributes of a bourgeois personality. As opposed to a person with radical tendencies or one who exhibits bohemianism, the bourgeois lifestyle tends to be more traditional, centered around consumerism and activities deemed by their peers as respectable. The term is often used with negative connotations, emphasizing the perceived conspicuous consumption patterns, materialism and status obsession of a bourgeois mind-set. Typical of the higher or haute bourgeoisie is very exclusive behavior resulting from a lack of inherited aristocratic experience, and a desire to appear important and "involved". This is a feature of the social class itself and the un-aristocratic behaviour may continue for many generations, even with enormous wealth. Although derided by European aristocracy accustomed to being in the public view for centuries, the exclusiveness of the higher bourgeoisie has a mystique in American culture, where it is commonly viewed as a desirable social experience. A famous early mockery of certain aspects of the bourgeois personality is Le Bourgeois gentilhomme by Molière. The Academy Award winning Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie examines other familiar aspects.
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  • August 2009
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  • A bourgeois mentality or bourgeois personality is a social stereotype applied to an individual who is seen as typical of the middle classes, both upper and lower, valuing economic materialism and the appearance of respectability. Exuding an image of success through consumption, personal behavior, speech and intellectual development are common attributes of a bourgeois personality.
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  • Bourgeois mentality
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