Virtue Signalling

Gagajo I wouldn't think your example - having shelves of books that have never been read - as being "virtue signalling" anyway. I would say it would more properly be described as pretentious or snobbish.

My understanding of the phrase is that it is meant to imply a person is either saying or doing something only because they want to appear morally superior.

I actually don't like the phrase, which, like the word "snowflake", is intended to be a slur on a person's character, implying they are shallow and insincere. It seems to me a modern version of the word "do-gooder" - heaven forbid that someone would actually want to do some good!

Decades before virtue signalling was a thing my mother used to mutter to me about her friend's daughter.The friend had been well into her 40s when the daughter was born so was now quite elderly. The daughter was deeply into all sorts of charities and protests and was very vocal about helping others. What annoyed my mother was the way she would gather up a band of supporters and arrive home with them at all hours of the day expecting her mother to set to and provide meals for them all. the fact that an elderly lady with arthritis and diverticulitis might find this quite exhausting never seemed to occur to her.

I don't speak up for pleasure or to show off, it's just that DH would pack everything in together.

Perhaps I should do two discrete shopping runs.

I couldn't give a fig if someone who does a genuinely good thing gets pleasure out of sharing the fact with the world. Unless they are naming and embarrassing the recipient what difference does it make? Why shouldn't they reward themself? Saying 'I'm giving this to the food bank' doesn't detract from the fact they are.
And how is it any worse than saying, virtuously, 'I do it discreetly?' Isn't stating that another layer of virtue signalling.
My brand of being good is better than yours?

MawtheMerrier

Of course it is Virtue signalling @ M0nica, I expect that was down to autocorrect, just as I hope one would be discreet in doing good.

I am duly chastised.

Oh dear, so when I say to DH, who does the packing "Keep that separate, it's for the Food Bank" I'm virtue signalling.
I have to say it quite loudly because he's a bit deaf.

I'll write him a note in future.

Of course it is Virtue signalling @ M0nica, I expect that was down to autocorrect, just as I hope one would be discreet in doing good.

I think for me it is pink everything during breast cancer awareness week (or month), rainbow everything , etc. So many companies jump on the bandwagon to signal their awareness, when you find out they are actually donating the tiniest amount of proceeds. Or find out they don't have a good sickness policy for workers that may be off getting treatments for breast cancer.

There was an amusing amount of VS on this thread of outrage.

Personally, I try to be as wicked as I possibly can and remain shtum about it. Is there a term for this? Possibly ‘being human’.

Surely, it is Virtue signalling. Saying something that shows how virtuous you are compared with other people.

Virtue signalling, is commenting to the till operator that you are putting some food in a particular bag because it is for THE FOOD BANK, said loudly enough for those in your immediate vicinity to hear.

At which point, I comment, (to everyone on this thread) that I prefer to be discrete when I put tenners worth of goods in the Food Bank basket.

MerylStreep

Ah, at last, posters are posting on Virtual Signalling and not one upmanship. I was beginning to think I was the only person here who knows what the expression means.

Virtue signalling, surely? (Not virtual)

But I didn't say it was better.Just different. And I completely understand why my DD buys cartons. When I said everything comes with a cost I meant the battery in my car-the same lithiun as in my phone,laptop, cordless vac etc,the plastic in milk cartons.We all consume.

Doodledog

Another example of real VS (as opposed to just showing off) is when people say they aren't going to send Christmas cards, but will donate to XYZ instead. The point of sending cards was never about spending money, so if you CBA to send them that's fine (I don't), but why make a point of saying that you will donate, if not to signal that you are being 'good'?

One of my dislikes too. I do send some cards to people who’d be very disappointed not to receive one, but the number drops year on year. I often feel like replying it’s possible to do both.

I hope you didn’t march too many old ladies across roads they didn’t want to cross because that really is VS 😂

Washerwoman

Oh dear.Am I virtue signalling because I drive an electric car ?I didn't realise. Well it's lovely to drive and we have solar panels (is that VS too ?) and I've been driving electric gor 8 years without lecturing anyone about it.I just quietly rant to myself when I feel sick from diesel fumes in a queue at the tip,or behind a filthy exhaust.
Am I VS because Ben our local milkman supplies local milk I'm bottles?I didn't realise.We have always used a milkman.It's a choice. DD however buys far more and fills her green bin with plastic.Everything comes with a cost .

No you weren’t until you announced it on here and mentioned your DD using plastic. It’s a choice. Making it is not VS. Implying your choice is better is VS.

Washerwoman
No, you’re not virtual signalling because you drive an electric car. But if you said you drive one because you care for the planet you have to think about the children who’s lives mean nothing while they are mining for cobalt to make your battery.

Oh dear.Am I virtue signalling because I drive an electric car ?I didn't realise. Well it's lovely to drive and we have solar panels (is that VS too ?) and I've been driving electric gor 8 years without lecturing anyone about it.I just quietly rant to myself when I feel sick from diesel fumes in a queue at the tip,or behind a filthy exhaust.
Am I VS because Ben our local milkman supplies local milk I'm bottles?I didn't realise.We have always used a milkman.It's a choice. DD however buys far more and fills her green bin with plastic.Everything comes with a cost .

I think virtual signalling is an online only thing lol

Ah, at last, posters are posting on Virtual Signalling and not one upmanship. I was beginning to think I was the only person here who knows what the expression means.

I have that book wallpaper in my loo. I love it. I'm not sure what that says about me.

This is a public service announcement

I no longer ever want to be called VS

Violet will do

Thanks

Terribulls post was spot on, there are actually some quite complex issues around some of the solutions to climate change etc which impact specifically on the most vulnerable.

Electric cars - for all the reasons mentioned by TerriBull and anyone who makes a virtue of using a milkman and glass bottles with no thought for those who need to buy 16+ pints per week who have to compare 98p per pint in a bottle with £1.90 per 4pint container.

I’m afraid Julia Bradbury on Instagram has become tiresome since her cancer diagnosis (I’ve had it myself by the way)
Nothing, it appears is acceptable!

Sometimes, not always, I detect a bit of virtue signalling by those who say they are getting or have an electric car, possibly forgetting that most of the population won't be able to afford these vehicles and the cost of running them. It's not as if they come without a human cost. The mining of cobalt an essential component in their batteries is done so in The Democratic Republic of Congo. The companies who are involved in that turn a blind eye to the children involved in getting it out of the ground in almost a Dickensian way, ruinous to their health, paid a pittance merely to stay alive. It kind of reminds me in some ways of those who casually discuss their recreational drug habits as if there is some virtue in improving their mental health through the supposed medicinal purposes, completely ignoring the fact that many kids are drawn into County Lines and become enslaved to evil gang masters who threaten to harm/kill them and members of their family.

MerylStreep

specki4eyes

Angela Strawbridge does virtue signalling in spades..she gets up my nose. Now, where's my tin hat.....?

I’ve watched Angela Strawbridge in spades. I’ve never once heard or seen her practicing virtual signalling.

Virtual signalling clearly explained.

www.ethicssage.com/2021/05/what-is-virtue-signaling-and-why-should-you-care-about-it.html

Angela Strawbridge?!?! No way does she virtue signal! She dresses, colours her hair, creates all sorts of things in a pretty unique way! She loves to please others - her family, the brides and guests at the chateau weddings, etc., but never seems to me to be at all superior in her attitude.