What defines class?
30 October 2007, 12:41 PM
#1
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What defines class?
Strange question but a hot topic in the canteen this morning
Caused a few arguments
What defines class?
Is lower class and working class the same thing
What's the difference between working class and middle class? Surely we all work
Im average Joe, earn a decent salary (40k) have a 4bed house and 2 cars. Never claimed a benefit in my life but am i middle class or working class?
The boss thinks he's upper class because his property is worth £750k and he earns £100k pa
Is it a matter of how much you earn and how big your house is? Or is it a matter of pronouncing your p's and q's properly, or something entirely different?
Caused a few arguments What defines class?
Is lower class and working class the same thing
What's the difference between working class and middle class? Surely we all work Im average Joe, earn a decent salary (40k) have a 4bed house and 2 cars. Never claimed a benefit in my life but am i middle class or working class?
The boss thinks he's upper class because his property is worth £750k and he earns £100k pa
Is it a matter of how much you earn and how big your house is? Or is it a matter of pronouncing your p's and q's properly, or something entirely different?
30 October 2007, 12:48 PM
#2
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Personally, I consider "class" is a matter of how you conduct yourself in any given situation, irrespective of how much you earn.
But if you are looking at more stereotypical "classes", then upper class is more about background and breeding than anything else. Money doesn't elevate your status without those two criteria.
Unless your boss falls into that category, he's middle at best, and depending on his background, may well be technically working class.
But its all a load of bollocks anyway.
But if you are looking at more stereotypical "classes", then upper class is more about background and breeding than anything else. Money doesn't elevate your status without those two criteria.
Unless your boss falls into that category, he's middle at best, and depending on his background, may well be technically working class.
But its all a load of bollocks anyway.
30 October 2007, 12:55 PM
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So more about upbringing then?
Raised on a council estate but then earn a million you'll always be working class?
Yes i do agree, it is a lot of bollocks Just interesting too see so many people get upset by being labelled ''working class'' as opposed to middle class.
Raised on a council estate but then earn a million you'll always be working class?
Yes i do agree, it is a lot of bollocks
Just interesting too see so many people get upset by being labelled ''working class'' as opposed to middle class.
30 October 2007, 01:00 PM
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Class has nothing to do at all with this amount of money you have, it has everything to do with how you conduct yourself, how you interact with others, your upbringing, your educatin and your manner.
With all the above considered, it is more likely that the upper class are going to be rich, because it lends itself to a given lifstyle
With all the above considered, it is more likely that the upper class are going to be rich, because it lends itself to a given lifstyle
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30 October 2007, 01:02 PM
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If we are going to judge it on earnings, I would say there are certain criteria.
You need to be at least high upper management in a big organisation - Or nobility.
Your salary is likely to be 7 figures
Your children are in private education.
Having said that, look at the Fulfords - absolutely undeniably upper class and not worth a brass bean.
You need to be at least high upper management in a big organisation - Or nobility.
Your salary is likely to be 7 figures
Your children are in private education.
Having said that, look at the Fulfords - absolutely undeniably upper class and not worth a brass bean.
30 October 2007, 01:05 PM
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Many upper class these days have no money as they inherited massive estates which suck every penny just through maintenance. Cf with various footballers. I think you can go from working to middle during your life, but you have to be born into upper.
30 October 2007, 01:07 PM
#10
Surely if the OP's boss was upper class, he wouldn't need to work?
I find blokes who drive Jags are often the 'self-made me yunno, working class, had nowt blah blah', usually no class whatsoever (not stereo-typing at all!)
There's always the socio-economic rankings, based on the skill level of what you do, from no-skill labourers, up through craftsmen to managers, and professionals, and those who get top jobs because they went to the right school.
30 October 2007, 01:10 PM
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I mean there are some people out there from lowly begginings that could be considered upper class - However, i think the later you leave it in life, the less likely you are to be considered "upper class"
And it certainly isnt all about money
I mean take Richard Branson _- would you consider him upper class? I wouldn't.
30 October 2007, 01:11 PM
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Class are stardards, both social status and mannerisms drilled into a person during their upbringing.
It affects their behaviour, interaction with society and ultimately their own self awareness.
Some for the better, some for the worse.
It affects their behaviour, interaction with society and ultimately their own self awareness.
Some for the better, some for the worse.
30 October 2007, 01:16 PM
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A "gentleman" is someone who gets out of the bath to have a pee 
And don't forget there's "old" money - from the genuine upper classes even though they may not have much left. And "new" money; footballers etc. No class whatsoever.
dl (classless)
And don't forget there's "old" money - from the genuine upper classes even though they may not have much left. And "new" money; footballers etc. No class whatsoever.
dl (classless
)
30 October 2007, 01:19 PM
#15
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I spent my formative years living on a council estate.
Mum and Dad were great and worked hard. Dad, lower management and Mum technical post. Upbringing was very structured, if not strict. Eventually parents graduated to owning own home and now live a very comfortable retirement.
My career, well, started with a mechanical apprenticeship and, through further education and a bit of hard graft, have progressed to a professional and economic status beyond the wildest dreams that I held as a youth.
I have relatives who live on the 'scrape by' level and others that have an astonishing amount of money.
I'm quite definately middle class, if you ignore my beginnings.
However; I have so many true friends from my council estate years, who constantly remind me of 'where I'm from' that I'm sure I'll always be a 'working man'. Not that I mind, it's where I'm from and I'll never deny it.
Mum and Dad were great and worked hard. Dad, lower management and Mum technical post. Upbringing was very structured, if not strict. Eventually parents graduated to owning own home and now live a very comfortable retirement.
My career, well, started with a mechanical apprenticeship and, through further education and a bit of hard graft, have progressed to a professional and economic status beyond the wildest dreams that I held as a youth.
I have relatives who live on the 'scrape by' level and others that have an astonishing amount of money.
I'm quite definately middle class, if you ignore my beginnings.
However; I have so many true friends from my council estate years, who constantly remind me of 'where I'm from' that I'm sure I'll always be a 'working man'. Not that I mind, it's where I'm from and I'll never deny it.
Last edited by coolangatta; 30 October 2007 at 01:22 PM.
30 October 2007, 01:19 PM
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I prefer Billy Connelly's version of classes....
The local milkman's impression of the 'classes.'
The working class were brilliant. They'd offer you a cup of tea and ask how your kids were.
The upper classes did the same.
But the middle classes couldn't give a fsck about you ... and they wore polo necks, drove Volvos and played golf
Working class = great, upper class = great. Middle class = determined to be better than someone but envious of those they're not.
J.
The local milkman's impression of the 'classes.'
The working class were brilliant. They'd offer you a cup of tea and ask how your kids were.
The upper classes did the same.
But the middle classes couldn't give a fsck about you ... and they wore polo necks, drove Volvos and played golf
Working class = great, upper class = great. Middle class = determined to be better than someone but envious of those they're not.
J.
30 October 2007, 01:23 PM
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Question: What defines class?
Answer: Those judging others.
Why do we feel the need to do this? Who cares whether someone is a toff or not etc. Surely its more about being a nice person or not. Simple.
Answer: Those judging others.
Why do we feel the need to do this? Who cares whether someone is a toff or not etc. Surely its more about being a nice person or not. Simple.
30 October 2007, 01:25 PM
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30 October 2007, 01:43 PM
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Lower
Working
Middle
Upper
How would you differentiate low incomed families from rough council estates with little or no education compared to someone who has good salary/house/car etc
2 totally different kinds of people but catagorised the same?
30 October 2007, 01:48 PM
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If you think you're middle class you're more than likely working class, upper class people don't even think about their position.
As for the true middle classes they're more interested in working out whether they are lower, middle or upper.
As for the true middle classes they're more interested in working out whether they are lower, middle or upper.
30 October 2007, 01:49 PM
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30 October 2007, 01:52 PM
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Haha, PSL's opinion from above thread..
Last edited by Mitchy260; 30 October 2007 at 01:59 PM.
30 October 2007, 02:01 PM
#28
Its not about money, not about how you dress, where we live there seems to be a pecking order based on what you have got.
Its about how you treat others, its about being interested in the world around you and not revelling in being crap, ignorant and stupid.
Its about how you speak and I dont mean 1950's BBC style Mr Chomdley Warner but speaking clearly and using some manners.
Its about how you conduct yourself, Do you park in a Disabled spot, do you have fights in town centres, do you gob on the floor then its fair to say you have no class.
Do you do things that are constructive, say playing an instrument, writing, gardening, diy or do you destroy things for the sake of it, like phone boxes, bus shelters or anything anyone else has created ?
Do you moan about things or get on with it and try to improve your situation ?
Do you pay your bills and make provision for your family ?
Do you add benefit to society or simply take ?
My grandad is 86, worked every day of his life, didnt go to university, has never claimed benefit and lives with my Grandma in a tiny bungalow that they own in North Manchester, he and my grandma are the most dignfied and thoughtful people I know, now that is class.
Its about how you treat others, its about being interested in the world around you and not revelling in being crap, ignorant and stupid.
Its about how you speak and I dont mean 1950's BBC style Mr Chomdley Warner but speaking clearly and using some manners.
Its about how you conduct yourself, Do you park in a Disabled spot, do you have fights in town centres, do you gob on the floor then its fair to say you have no class.
Do you do things that are constructive, say playing an instrument, writing, gardening, diy or do you destroy things for the sake of it, like phone boxes, bus shelters or anything anyone else has created ?
Do you moan about things or get on with it and try to improve your situation ?
Do you pay your bills and make provision for your family ?
Do you add benefit to society or simply take ?
My grandad is 86, worked every day of his life, didnt go to university, has never claimed benefit and lives with my Grandma in a tiny bungalow that they own in North Manchester, he and my grandma are the most dignfied and thoughtful people I know, now that is class.
30 October 2007, 02:40 PM
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Cheeky git
Gentlemen don't troll*
*Whatever troll means..........
In fact most of my jokes are a LOT older than that!!