Are you a workplace microsnob? Take this quiz to find out

Does your neck hurt from keeping your nose up in the air? You may be guilty of a little microsnobbery. Never heard of it? According to writer Victoria Wolff, while old-fashioned, class-based snobbery hasn't disappeared, it has evolved-splintering into countless subtle, identity-driven judgments about everyday choices, from what we eat and wear to how we parent and consume culture.

And nowhere is this quiet one-upmanship more pervasive than in the workplace. Are you guilty of small everyday behaviours that quietly signal superiority? Take this quiz to find out:

You have been in the workforce for decades, but you still mention your elite college education.


A. Yes. A prestigious alma mater is always relevant-it gives me an edge.

B. Sometimes. Only if someone asks or it is genuinely relevant to the conversation.

C. Rarely. That was years ago. My work should speak for itself.

Your colleague mentions they spent their summer vacation in the Maldives. You are most likely to say:

A. "The Maldives? It's so overdone. I only travel to under-the-radar destinations."

B. "Nice! Was it crowded?"

C. "That sounds lovely. How was it?"

A colleague invites you to grab a coffee from the office pantry. You...

A. Decline. "I only drink single-origin coffee."

B. Go along, but skip the coffee.

C. Join them. Good conversation matters more than great coffee.

A junior teammate shares a suggestion you have never considered. Your first instinct is to...

A. Wait and see what the senior leaders think.

B. Ask them to explain it further.

C. Give it the same consideration as anyone else's idea.

When discussing a challenge at work, you tend to...

A. Reference your knowledge and past successes to demonstrate expertise.

B. Share your expertise only when it helps move the discussion forward.

C. Focus on finding the best solution, even if someone else has the answer.

Which statement do you agree with most?

A. Driving to work is a sign that you've made it.

B. Your mode of transport says nothing about your success.

C. The best commute is the one that's practical for you.

THE ANSWER SHEET

Mostly As: Congratulations-you're a microsnob. You probably don't think of yourself as one, but offhand remarks, raised eyebrows and carefully curated preferences may be saying otherwise. Whether it's dismissing instant coffee, scoffing at mainstream holiday destinations, or name-dropping your alma mater, you may be signalling that your choices are somehow more refined, cultured, or worthy than what someone else has been exposed to. In the workplace, they can make colleagues feel excluded, second-guessed or reluctant to contribute-none of which makes for a stronger or more collaborative team. But the good news is that microsnobbery is a habit and, if you spot it, you can drop it.

Mostly Bs: You have strong preferences, but you recognise they are just that-your preferences, just like your coworkers will have their own. You are open-minded, curious and genuinely interested in learning about other people's experiences and perspectives. You appreciate quality without assuming everyone should share your tastes. Sure, you may be guilty of the occasional eyeroll, but as long as you keep it in check, your colleagues are unlikely to feel judged or left out.

Mostly Cs: You don't equate taste, exposure, or financial means with status. Whether it's someone's coffee order, education, or holiday destination, you see your colleagues as equals, each bringing their own strengths to the team. That doesn't mean you lack standards-it simply means you don't use them to judge others. As a result, people are likely to feel comfortable opening up to you, a quality that can take you far in the workplace. Just be careful not to be so accommodating that your own opinions, ideas and preferences are consistently pushed to the sidelines.