what is wrong with 'middle class'

[Friedtomatoes77]

I keep hearing the same phrase 'it's a bit middle class..you know..' when talking about a playgroup or school. Followed by a laugh. I don't quite get it.

[worraliberty]

Me neither

I don't recognise class. People are just people to me.

[smoggii]

all depends who is making the comment.

If they are middle class (but pretending to be upper class) they are saying it's beneath them.

If they are middle class (but pretending to be working class) they are saying it's a bit snobby

[ticklebumpkin]

Hmm, in those cirs I would take it to mean it's a bit worthy or smug. But I would just say worthy or smug. So yanbu.

[carriedababi]

yanbu, it's often seen as a sneery thing to say.

eg an aunt who turned her nose up at me bf dd, and was disgusted i did it for 9 months, would say, errr it's a bit middleclass.
along witht he when are your going to pack that up, as if it was some dirty habit.

shes a genreal nobhea at times though

[Thumbwitch]

I think both the upper and lower classes would consider that the middle class are trying too hard to be something they're not and are subsequently sneered at because of it. Daft really - MC has been around for long enough to exist in its own right, rather than be seen as trying to "ape their betters".

Anyone who truly believes that there is no class system in the UK hasn't been paying attention - it's still there! Just less obviously delineated now.

[slavetofilofax]

It means that whoever is saying it is a bit of a twat. It's a secret twat code.

[Serenitysutton]

BeCause middle class has a reputation for being very boring and staid. You know, wash the Volvo on the drive every Sunday morning, live in the suburbs, oooo linda next door got a new scenic, the boden catelouge has arrived, oh youll never guess, waitrose started stocked wasabi pea dip... You know, dull, and predictable.

[usualsuspect]

Only the middle class worry about class

[Mandy2003]

Wholemeal sandals and below the knee A-line denim skirts?

[Friedtomatoes77]

Ok I think she was 'middle class' and trying to be 'working class' like smoggi said. And think this is because I'm Scottish and have quite a strong accent, and as she was quite posh was maybe trying to relate to me. Hmm. Is very interesting. She also was keen to know how I find the children's school. Which is 'very middle class'.

[Friedtomatoes77]

Ps I thought the playgroup sounded lovely. Lots of arts stuff. Don't get so much of that sort of thing where I'm from. So I appreciate it more, I guess. Looking forward to trying it out.

[DrCoconut]

@Mandy2003 "below the knee A-line denim skirts"

I have one. Does that mean I'm officially middle class now?

[Whatmeworry]

I prefer to say Bourgeosie, it sounds more posh :o

[Gluttondressedaslamb]

What defines middle class these days? Surely there`s more to it than the cliche of organic food, Boden uniform and being constantly apologetic?

[SecretSquirrell]

Class is very much in evidence.
I reckon I can tell which class someone is in at fifty paces.

[ViviPru]

secret twat code hahahah

[SarahStratton]

Pampas grass. The darkside of Middle Class life.

[BobblyGussets]

Sarah, I thought Pampas grass was a "sign" in the front garden to show you were a swinger to other swingers in the know?

[LemonDifficult]

Nothing is wrong with Middle Class. Or any other class. People might aspire to something other than Middle Class but that reflects on them, not on the class.

[MeconiumHappens]

A bit 'Margot & Jerry".

[wordfactory]

I use it as shorthand.
It can mean trying too hard and being just a wee bit too earnest.
I might describe myself in such terms when I know I'm being a twat.

[SarahStratton]

It is. It's also ver Middle Class/burbs. Norty Middle Classes.