What class are you?

MrsE_2

johncolescarr wrote: »

Ok, I concede I have not met many so called upper class on council estates, but I have met a few. I recall a family who were in poverty but still lusted after the nearby manor house where they were staff after the family left.

My last paragraph sums up my views, I came from a background of living on benefits and a family where I was one of the first to go to university, went to state school yet I speak with an accent some might consider RP, I am in group A in the socioeconomic classification simply owing to my job (although simply knowing this displays my vanity and obsession with class). I only wear church shoes but buy them off of ebay 2nd hand and I let people think they were £300. I am by my own definition desperately middle class, but I know I am and laugh and and ridicule myself.

Class is desperately outdated and a bit silly, but the majority are hopelessly obsessed with classifying themselves, we're all guilty of it.

I tick more middleclass boxes than working class, but I was raised on a council estate in inner south London (most of the time, sometimes my parents ran pubs & we lived in them. I went to school in Peckham & left at 16 to go into manual work - how could I be anything other than working class?
I have since gained higher ed & hold a professional qualification.

johncolescarr

MrsE wrote: »

I tick more middleclass boxes than working class, but I was raised on a council estate in inner south London (most of the time, sometimes my parents ran pubs & we lived in them. I went to school in Peckham & left at 16 to go into manual work - how could I be anything other than working class?
I have since gained higher ed & hold a professional qualification.

I think the definition of whether you are working class or middle class in this case is do you hide your upbringing or do you embrace it? A middle class person would try to pretend that they always came from a middle class background, you obviously rise above this nonsense, I'm not sure whether this makes you working class but I am sure it makes you a better person.

You, like I, can effectively choose what we want to be; listen to R4, drive a merc estate and go the the opera (even if you dont really enjoy it) then MIDDLE, go out of your way to dispel any middle class tenancies, even if you rather enjoy R4 and the opera, WORKING, forget all this nonsense and just do what you want and dont care what this makes people think of you, SENSIBLE HUMAN.

MissPersephone

geri1965 wrote: »

Funny kind of socialist, sending your kids to an independent school.

Who said I cant be all things? I am a card carrying, campaigning, door knocking member of the Labour party and have been for years but am in a position where i can give my sons the education that ALL young people should get. Do I sacrifice their education for my principles? I actually save the country money because the funds that would be used to fund my sons through school isnt spent!

kwmlondon

My butler ticked upper class for me.

bobble_hat

I work, therefore I consider myself working class, yes we have a nice house, yes we're fairly well off. But I work, so I'm working class. I think there are 3 classes, those that don't work because they don't need to, those that work because they need to or want to, and those that don't work because they can't or don't want to. None of these dictate how you behave or represent yourself, that's a whole different type of class.

Immaculate_deception.

I am a typical "underclass" person. Brought up on a council estate after my dad drank every penny he earnt from his own business. Beaten as children, no new clothes etc.
Grow up, live on my hubbys wages while I bring up children in a council house. Now Im privately renting a house. Im a carer for my hubby whos disabled, so we're "scroungers" according to the government.
All this class system is ridiculous. Were all still human, all live the same, only us underclass have a lot more refinement to upperclass, as we know how both halves live, instead of being born with blinkers and a silver spoon in our mouths.
I know a lot of people wont agree with me, but when I worked as a CAB wotker, I saw the difference so much. The lower and working class would ask for help.whilst the rest demanded help or spoke down to us all.
I hate divisions, but its happening all around us atm.

londonlydia

I am on the belief that you set the class of your children, rather than your own through your actions. I feel this because I actually think class has more to do with values, beliefs and motivations etc than money etc....and all of that is set in your childhood generally. No class has the 'best' values by the way, they're just different in my experience.

I myself grew up in a poor single parent household in housing association flats in South/ SE London. It is because of this I learnt that a good education gets you places, that working hard is important. Community was strong, and I learnt to care about knowing my neighbours. I also learnt to always be thankful for even the smallest gifts and to look after what I have in case I lose everything tomorrow. And a strong sense that loved ones and families are what life is about.

Since then I've gained a masters degree (at Durham which is full of posh people may I add!), work as a scientist, bought a house, car etc. BUT, the values I have are a reflection of my background and so I'm in no rush to say I'm middle class because I'm lucky enough to have a few more pounds in the bank than I used to.

MrsE_2

bobble_hat wrote: »

I work, therefore I consider myself working class, yes we have a nice house, yes we're fairly well off. But I work, so I'm working class. I think there are 3 classes, those that don't work because they don't need to, those that work because they need to or want to, and those that don't work because they can't or don't want to. None of these dictate how you behave or represent yourself, that's a whole different type of class.

Best post on this whole thread :-)

johncolescarr

Immaculate_deception. wrote: »

I am a typical "underclass" person. Brought up on a council estate after my dad drank every penny he earnt from his own business. Beaten as children, no new clothes etc.
Grow up, live on my hubbys wages while I bring up children in a council house. Now Im privately renting a house. Im a carer for my hubby whos disabled, so we're "scroungers" according to the government.
All this class system is ridiculous. Were all still human, all live the same, only us underclass have a lot more refinement to upperclass, as we know how both halves live, instead of being born with blinkers and a silver spoon in our mouths.
I know a lot of people wont agree with me, but when I worked as a CAB wotker, I saw the difference so much. The lower and working class would ask for help.whilst the rest demanded help or spoke down to us all.
I hate divisions, but its happening all around us atm.

You are most certainly not underclass. You had a terrible start in life and your husband is unfortunate (or fortunate to have you). No-one with "class" would speak down to an individual as you describe, it's despicable and I consider these individuals to be the underclass. Further, having your husband financially provide whilst you do the vital role of bringing up the next generation is admirable, not shameful. The real test of your class is whether your children would speak down to that cab driver, I am imagining certainly not!

Never mistake money or circumstance for class, it is to do with your interaction with those in your community, your views and your actions.

CharllieSays

I'm a highly educated poor person. I don't care what class I am, as long as my salary increases soon!