Nicky Haslam Common List Criticizes Beards Diet Coke and Hay Festival Interior designer Nicky Haslam releases his annual Common List, criticizing beards, Diet Coke, and the Hay Festival. The 87-year-old socialite sparks debate with his exclusive taste declarations. Interior designer and socialite Nicky Haslam, aged 87, has once again ignited public debate with his latest annual declaration of tastes. Known for his distinctive views on fashion and culture, Haslam has compiled a new list of items he considers common. This year, the controversial compilation features beards, Diet Coke, and the Hay Festival among its many criticized entries. The list has drawn attention for its specific exclusions and the high-profile nature of those it targets. Regal Beards and Diet Coke Face CriticismHaslam has dismissed beards as common, a stance that stands in contrast to the preferences of high-profile figures such as princes William and Harry. The designer also included Diet Coke on his shameful grade, alongside other mundane preferences. The inclusion of quails' eggs was particularly shocking to consumers who pay approximately five pounds for a dozen at major retailers like Waitrose or Marks & Spencer. These items represent a broad sweep of cultural habits that Haslam finds lacking in distinction.Controversial Words And Modern PhrasesThe list extends beyond physical objects to include language and social behaviors. Haslam targets the word nuanced as well as the term no-brainer. He argues that foodstuffs is a redundant phrase, suggesting that food alone suffices. Additionally, he claims that feeling pity is common, although he makes an exception for self-pity, which he deems understandable in conversation. These linguistic critiques highlight his ongoing fixation on perceived cultural decline.The Hay Festival And Royal ConnectionsHaslam also condemns the middle-class literary event on the Welsh border, stating that The Hay Festival is common in its entirety. He further objects to referring to the Prime Minister's wife, currently Mrs Burnham or Marie-France van Heel, as First Lady. The designer has strong ties to the monarchy, noting he has received nice notes from the late Queen Elizabeth II. He describes Queen Camilla as adorable and mentions his own mother's godmother was Queen Victoria. He also notes that still finding The Goons funny might be an anti-royal jibe, given that King Charles is a known fan of the 1950s radio show.Commercialization And Public ReactionOriginally known only to an in-crowd ranging from royalty to Mick Jagger for his furniture and wallpaper recommendations, Haslam gained wider public attention in 1999. He declared both jet lag and being ill to be common, enjoying the reaction so much that he monetized the concept. Since 2018, he has issued a new Common List printed on a tea towel every year. This year's towel is sold on his website for sixty pounds, accompanied by a CD by Mr Haslam. Critics question whether charging such a high price for a tea towel is itself common, given the exclusivity he claims to champion.