Is the ‘term’ high’ maintenance considered derogatory?

[PeppermintPatty]

The other day there was a thread resurrected about high maintenance. It wasn’t until today that I noticed it was under the category of Beauty & Grooming so I assume they were referring to how we take care of ourselves physically including our hair, make up, clothes.

If someone takes exceptional care of themselves is it frowned upon?

If someone is less concerned about their appearance, is it frowned upon?


What about those who are every ill and need more maintenance than others?


If the person is caring for them self, should this not be commended?

Main Question: Is the term ‘high maintenance’ considered derogatory and if so why?

 

[Lee]

Some equate the term High Maintenance with the Trophy Wives. Could be that is why it is now somewhat of a snide comment.

 

[Bella]

"High maintenance" means whatever you're referring to takes a lot of work and attention to maintain. I suppose it's meant to be derogatory if you're referring to a person who you think is a lot of trouble or costly to support and/or keep happy.

Call me whatever you want. I don't care if I'm frowned upon or approved of. It's nobody's business. I maintain myself.

 

[Remy]

I've always thought of high maintenance as the person needs a lot of attention, care or money from someone else.

If someone uses their own time and money for themselves, I don't call that high maintenance.

 

[CallMeKate]

If someone takes exceptional care of themselves is it frowned upon?
If someone is less concerned about their appearance, is it frowned upon?
What about those who are every ill and need more maintenance than others?

I always understood "high maintenance" as someone who needed more "attention" than usual to keep them happy... clingy people, emotionally needy people, people who need the Jimmy Choo shoes and Prada bags... all those things I would consider high maintenance... someone's who's very difficult to please. Not these things you mentioned, though... I never thought of those as "high maintenance."

 

[CallMeKate]

I've always thought of high maintenance as the person needs a lot of attention, care or money from someone else.

If someone uses their own time and money for themselves, I don't call that high maintenance.

Snap... that's what I thought, too... very difficult to keep happy. @Remy

 

[Moon Rat]

Only if you say it to the person’s face.

 

[Victor]

Yes, when men say that about a woman, it has an implied negative meaning. Not always though.
Verbally, depends on the tone of voice, inflection. In any case, it is never a compliment.

 

[LadyEmeraude]

I think the term 'high maintenance' can take on both a negative and or
positive assumption or description. All depends ya know imo. As for
myself, I am average maintenance, sort of like an economy car

 

[Sliverfox]

Thought 'high maintenance 'meant someone who lived beyond their means.
Expensive clothing , shoes, diamonds or gems for jewelry.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Some equate the term High Maintenance with the Trophy Wives. Could be that is why it is now somewhat of a snide comment.

I had to look up trophy wife.


A wealthy man with connections and a strong standing in society will likely have an attractive younger woman by his side to show off. A study has shown that the older men are when they marry, the younger their brides are.

So, what is a trophy wife? Are they merely accessories draped by the side of their partner? Or is the stereotypical view attached to trophy women incorrect?

A simple answer to what is a trophy wife is that a trophy wife plays a submissive role in the marriage.

Her role is to make her spouse look good. In public, she plays the role of an attractive, cultured woman to reinforce her husband’s wealth and influence. This is a reason why men love trophy wives.

However, not every marriage with a significant age gap amounts to a calculated move to earn the title of “trophy wife.”
A younger woman can prefer the company of an older partner for several reasons, and that doesn’t automatically make her a trophy wife.

She can have independent wealth and interests and exists not just for pleasing her partner.

On the other hand, a trophy wife understands she has a role to play and plays it well. She is content with that title and swaps that role for an opulent lifestyle.

https://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/trophy-wife/

Interesting.
Thx

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Attention seekers

Needy people who get their money from other people

Person who is a lot of trouble and costly to support or keep happy

Person needs more attention than average to keep them happy

People who need to purchase all high end designer clothes & accessories

Note: Reading all these different definitions of what most of you think is ‘high maintenance.’ It’s clearly derogatory which explains why people answered the way they did.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

"High maintenance" means whatever you're referring to takes a lot of work and attention to maintain. I suppose it's meant to be derogatory if you're referring to a person who you think is a lot of trouble or costly to support and/or keep happy.

Call me whatever you want. I don't care if I'm frowned upon or approved of. It's nobody's business. I maintain myself.

THIS is what I believed ‘High maintenance.’
Whatever you are referring to takes a lot of time and effort to maintain.

Someone might have a high maintenance house if they need to spend all day cleaning it up.

Someone might be high maintenance if another person has to care for them but we aren’t talking about regular care of health and well being or say a spouse, we are talking about expected privileges and personal standards that aren’t attainable to the average person.

Check!

I’d have to agree that it’s nobody else’s business and is made to be a snarky assessment of a person’s character.


Today I read a thread about a couple who felt imprisoned in their own home due to Covid and their current health issues and the daily routine they needed to do due to it.

I imagined that their lifestyle had become high maintenance just by default of their circumstances but this isn’t the type of high maintenance that would be snark worthy.

Thanks.

 

[Alligatorob]

Is the ‘term’ high’ maintenance considered derogatory?

I think so, not as derogatory as some things you could call someone or something, but not positive.

Call me whatever you want. I don't care if I'm frowned upon or approved of. It's nobody's business. I maintain myself.

I don't think, you, or anyone who maintains themself is high maintainanace. I wouldn't use it that way.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I've always heard the term high maintenance in the context of women who expect to be wined and dined as well as financially taken care of and/or looking receive expensive gifts. So yes, in that context it can be viewed as derogatory.