etiquette at family homes

Person_one

MrsE wrote: »

Can I clarify? Are you saying that middle class or aspirational middle class people care more about their decor & cleanliness than working class people?

I'm saying that they're more likely to prioritise their decor above their guests' comfort.

Not all middle class people obviously, but a definite subset, they will also likely have a 4x4 that's never seen mud and children who are only allowed to play in designated areas of the house.

1886

My inlaws came over recently as well as the grandma, all are very, very nice but also incredibly posh. I had a bottle of Bud and poured it into a glass because I care too much what they would think. Normally I would drink it out of the bottle if it was just me and my wife.

I should probably be myself in my own home but I always feel like I have to be on my best behaviour in front of them. I even pronounce some words differently because they are all privately educated and I naturally pronounce some words differently to them

I wish I did'nt care so much

pollypenny

Pixiechic wrote: »

I used to know of a family who wrapped their sofa in plastic, I think so as not to spoil it? :eek: I'd never seen anything like it, they sat on it with the plastic on it!

Meera Syal uses that in her second book ' Life is Not All Haa Hee ', fussy, house proud Punjabi mothers.

Excellent book.

Errata

pollypenny wrote: »

Meera Syal uses that in her second book ' Life is Not All Haa Hee ', fussy, house proud Punjabi mothers.

Excellent book.

Ruby Wax made a program about her parents, they had plastic on their upholstery and she thought they were totally bonkers.

System

I follow my parents rules when i go home, as in take shoes off, no food/drink in living room etc. I just se it as their house, their rules and respect that. The only rule i seem to have in my house is taking shoes off, and that's only cos i'm used to it and the carpet is a PITA to clean :mad:

That said... i don't really have any visitors. In 3 years of being here only 1 of my friends has ever been round :eek:

System

Errata wrote: »

Ruby Wax made a program about her parents, they had plastic on their upholstery and she thought they were totally bonkers.

Oh lol, you've just reminded me of when my mum got the dining room chairs re-done and she kept the sodding plastic on them! :eek:

elsien

My shoe rule isn't for guests to take their shoes off.
It's to ensure they keep them on, as my carpet is generally so manky that visitors need to keep their shoes on so as not to stick to it.

Gloomendoom

elsien wrote: »

My shoe rule isn't for guests to take their shoes off.
It's to ensure they keep them on, as my carpet is generally so manky that visitors need to keep their shoes on so as not to stick to it.

That reminds of an Indian restaurant in East Kilbride. Even my shoes stuck to the carpet. I didn't stay long.

peachyprice

elsien wrote: »

My shoe rule isn't for guests to take their shoes off.
It's to ensure they keep them on, as my carpet is generally so manky that visitors need to keep their shoes on so as not to stick to it.

I was at a nightclub like that last week, some manky cow was even dancing bare foot _pale_

MrsE_2

Person_one wrote: »

I'm saying that they're more likely to prioritise their decor above their guests' comfort.

Not all middle class people obviously, but a definite subset, they will also likely have a 4x4 that's never seen mud and children who are only allowed to play in designated areas of the house.

Sounds like me - but I'm working class not middle or aspiring middle or lower middle or even aspiring lower middle.

While my 4x4 has never been proper off roading, it's pretty filthy & even a bit muddy up the sides. I live in a small village & use pretty crappy roads to get to the local towns.