The 13 telltale signs you are more common than you think & your summer habits give it all away

The Irish Sun

30-06-2025

MANY people love summer for unwinding with pals or sprucing up the garden.
But some popular sunny weather habits may be giving off signs that you are actually 'common', according to etiquette experts.
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There are a few giveaway signs that you are 'common', especially over summer, according to experts
Credit: Getty
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Fire pits bring out the 'neanderthals among us', claims expert William Hanson
Credit: Getty
If you don't want to look tacky, you may wish to avoid the following 15 telltale signs…
1. FIRE PITS
While fire pits may be appealing to those obsessed with Love Island, expert William Hanson isn't entirely sold on the idea.
He told Fabulous: "I suppose they're appealing to the neanderthals among us I guess, I'm not one of them.
"They're not the tackiest thing to have in your garden, I'd rather that than a gnome or a hot tub, but if in doubt, don't."
More on etiquette
As if the barbecue wasn't Neanderthal enough for most men, enter the fire pit.
The smarter set will simply add a sensible fleece or heavy jumper if they are outside and getting cold.
2. PATIO STENCILLING
William added that not only is stencilling your patio a social faux pas, you should avoid calling it that altogether.
He explained: 'To start with, calling it a patio is the first social booby trap. It's a terrace or veranda.
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'Patio sounds faintly mythic and socially sound people will have no idea what you're talking about - or pretend not to.
'Then we come to the stencilling.
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Patio stencilling is 'horticultural tattooing' and should be avoided
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'Just as with faux grass, if you want a greco-inspired terrace then rip the tiles up and put in the real deal, rather than waste time doing superficial stencils.
'Patio stencilling is horticultural tattooing. Enough said.'
3. FLIP FLOPS
According to etiquette expert
She told Fabulous: 'Flip flops are not appropriate for town, shopping, dining, or socialising unless you are on the beach or by the pool.
'And is it practical? Have you ever tried running in flip flops? You are basically barefoot and one stubbed toe away from a lot of pain as well as opening yourself up to social embarrassment.
'A fashion faux pas, exposing all sorts of toe health problems - who wants to see hairy toes, ingrown toe nails, and other deformities on their way to the coffee shop?
'Common, yes in both senses of the word.'
4. TOPLESS MEN
Even during boiling temperatures, men should never take their tops off, according to Laura.
She explained: 'A definite no no - even if, on occasion, it may get up to 31 degrees.
'No one wants to see you flaunting your
beer
belly or your hairy arms, armpits and back. Just adopt a bit of self-control.
'Keep this for your more intimate moments unless you are at the beach or by the pool.'
5. CALLING PROSECCO, CHAMPAGNE
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You should never accidentally call prosecco, 'champagne'
Credit: Getty
Laura said that you never offer a guest 'champagne', when you have prosecco.
She added: 'It's like promising someone a
luxury
yacht and turning up in a rubber dinghy.
'It's also intimating that you think Prosecco is an Italian champagne.
'Champagne is champagne - expressly from the Champagne region in
France
.
'Prosecco is known as sparkling
wine
. Refined or 'posh' people know the difference and will call it by its appropriate name.'
6. ADULTS IN PADDLING POOLS
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Although it is tempting to cool off in a paddling pool, you should refrain from it as an adult, claims Laura Windsor
Credit: Getty
Laura said that despite paddling pools being unsightly and only suitable for children, it seems to attract a lot of adults who 'think that it's ok to wash their muddy feet in it, unaware that children are inside.'
She added: 'And suddenly it becomes a shared foot bath along with half the garden that the children have brought with them.
'Eventually it looks like a swamp and smells like a
science
project gone wrong.
"Is that really 'posh'?'
7. EGG CHAIRS
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Egg chairs are also on the no-go list
Credit: Getty
William said that any form of chair, ovular or not, suspended from a chain is probably not a good idea.
He explained: 'We all know what is going to happen at some point.
Snap
!
'You'll fall to the ground, the thing will break and you'll have egg chair all over your face.
'To paraphrase George Orwell: four legs, good - one chain, bad.'
8. STRING BIKINI BOTTOMS
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Anna Bey warned that string bikinis can look 'vulgar'
Credit: YouTube/@AnnaBey
Everybody is racing to update their summer wardrobe with the latest fashion – but there are some trends that aren't so hot.
She says: 'Ladies like to pull it up almost to their ears.
'I get it, we have this trend right now with this kind of bikini bottoms but this in particular makes me really disgusted, every time I see it on my Instagram feed.'
Anna credits influencers and models as the reason behind the bikinis popularity.
The expert says that women who wear ths type of bottoms 'really wants to highlight their crotch area' – and can even be a bit vulgar.
She suggests that if women want to look elegant they should go for traditional swimwear looks that are more covered up.
9. HOT TUBS
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Hot tubs are ' oversized petri dishes of filth'
Credit: Getty
With the hot weather we've had this summer, some people have found buying a hot tub for their garden has been a godsend.
However, William argued: 'These oversized petri dishes of filth have become the 2020 social indicator of the aspirational lower middle class.
'There are few worse accusations one can level against someone than that they own, or aspire to own, a hot tub.
'No amount of
money
spent on such an item will upgrade a person's garden.
'The presence of a hot tub does not transform a nondescript-semi in Borehamwood to a cosy chalet in Val d'isere.'
10. KIDNEY SHAPED PONDS
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Kidney-shaped ponds also a big no
Credit: Getty
William said it is acceptable to have a "lake" in your garden, if the size allows, but a small kidney-shaped pond is something else entirely.
He explained: "They are dreadful for so many reasons.
"Even if you put expensive koi carp in it, it is still dreadful."
11. PLASTIC FLUTES
Plastic flutes may be light-weight for picnics, but are not that chic, argues Laura.
She shared: "It's definitely for the cheap and cheerful. Let me ask you a question: would you prefer drinking beer from a glass or a plastic one?
"99 per cent would probably say glass.
"Any wine lover will know that drinking a good wine from a plastic cup doesn't exalt the wine's aroma and quality.
"It's not just about getting 'happy' - it is about the experience; wrapping your lips around the glass rim, smelling the wine, holding the weight of a glass as opposed to the flimsy weight of a plastic one and holding the glass properly by its stem."
12. PLASTIC PRIVACY SCREENS
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People are raving about the cheap B&Q buy to privatise your garden
Credit: B&Q
Laura shared: "I call them evergreen monstrosities, protecting you from the neighbours, and from having good taste."
13. BLASTING MUSIC
It is tempting to host a party when the sun comes out, but there are some rules to consider.
Laura advised: "Blasting your music in your garden for all to hear is seen as lacking in consideration and respect for your neighbours - disturbing their peace and quiet.
"Wear your headphones, airpods etc!
"Nowadays there is no excuse for disrupting everyone's weekend, and that includes wearing headphones anywhere in public too!"
Dinner party and guest etiquette
Whether it's your first time hosting friends at your new house, or you're a regular dinner party invitee...
Fabulous' Associate Editor, Rebecca Miller, has put together a list of do's and don'ts when it comes to dinner parties and guest etiquette - and it doesn't include sending a guest a bill at the end of the night!
Do show up on time
- a 10-minute grace period is allowed, but anything longer without letting the host know, is just plain rude.
Don't show up empty handed
- unless you're popping round for a quick coffee, you should always show up with a small token of your appreciation for the host and their efforts. Flowers, a bottle of wine, candle, or contribute to the dinner by making dessert.
Don't start eating until everyone is seated
- what might be an obvious rule, it's one many forget. Cooking a meal for a group of people takes a lot of effort, so wait for the host to park themselves, thank them, and await instruction.
Don't do the dishes, do clear the table
- everyone has their way of cleaning and tidying up. If you swan into the kitchen and start scrubbing, it could be seen as an insult. So help clear the table, and ask if there's anything else you can do - perhaps top up everyone's glass?
Get off your phone
- few things can make a person feel less seen or important than coming second to a mobile. Leave it in your pocket, and check anything urgent during toilet breaks.