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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is ‘shunter for British Rail’ a working class job?

283 replies

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:15

Been dating a man for 7 months. He was born 1970 just FYI. His parents were both born in 1927 just for context and both long gone from this world.

I know his mum worked in a care home - but I really don’t know her level of seniority- could’ve bern a manager - could’ve had a more routine job - I haven’t asked.

Anyway - I know he was close to his Dad and seemed to be a happy family but had no clue what his Dad did for a living so asked him over the weekend and he said

‘Shunter for British Rail.

AIBU to ask if you’d class it as a working class job?

OP posts:
colonialwomanonthewing · 28/05/2025 08:32

Are you the poster who was obsessed with whether a guy they were sort of dating went to a decent school in 1986?

TookTheBook · 28/05/2025 08:32

A job can be both "working class" and well paid. Class in the UK has very loose connection with money, ultimately.

Have you read Kate Fox's Watching the English OP? It's quite old now I guess but might pique your interest given your apparent curiosity about class.

WheresMyPlanetGone · 28/05/2025 08:32

It’s also quite bizarre to be looking up the pay scales for your boyfriend’s dead dad’s ex job in the first place.

Elbowpatch · 28/05/2025 08:31

Here is an (old) picture of a shunter. Make your own mind up.

Is ‘shunter for British Rail’ a working class job?
Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:31

Squarepuffin · 28/05/2025 08:29

We don't know that's why OP is asking. I'd say her tone is more "he claims to be from WC background, but I'm not sure he is."

Show quote history

That isn't the tone at all ! I mean I have no idea why she cares so much to be asking but that definitely isn't the tone.

Arquebuse · 28/05/2025 08:31

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:23

Now that’s not fair !!

Show quote history

So why on earth are you asking?

londongirl12 · 28/05/2025 08:31

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:29

You’ve basically answered the question yourself as to why I’ve asked -

it sound like a working class job but is well paid when I looked online

Show quote history

But why are you interested in how much the pay is? This is really weird

WheresMyPlanetGone · 28/05/2025 08:31

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:29

You’ve basically answered the question yourself as to why I’ve asked -

it sound like a working class job but is well paid when I looked online

Show quote history

Quite a few working class jobs are well paid.
It still doesn’t explain why you’re asking though. Why does it matter to you that his dad’s job ‘sounds working class but was well paid’?

Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 08:30

heavenisaplaceonearth · 28/05/2025 08:28

Lots of working class jobs are well paid. Class isn’t to do with money. It’s not a “professional” job in the way Dr, accountant etc is. Did you think all working class people were poor???

His mother must have had him extraordinarily late for the time.

My mum had me at a similar age - I was born 1972 my mum born 1931

OP posts:
Jc2001 · 28/05/2025 08:30

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:25

Ok because shunter sounds like a working class job but I’ve looked online and it’s well paid

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What is your definition of a working class job? Just poorly paid?

To be honest it's a ridiculously outdated label to put on a job as it implies that if you don't have a traditional 'working class ' job, it's not really hard work

Squarepuffin · 28/05/2025 08:29

Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:26

Well it's true isn't it you are questioning a man's heritage and work status being beneath your standards, how is that fair on him?

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We don't know that's why OP is asking. I'd say her tone is more "he claims to be from WC background, but I'm not sure he is."

Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 08:29

Squarepuffin · 28/05/2025 08:27

Yes, a good working class job and relatively well paid.

Why are you asking?

You’ve basically answered the question yourself as to why I’ve asked -

it sound like a working class job but is well paid when I looked online

OP posts:
driftingintheair · 28/05/2025 08:28

It’s 2025 - why on earth are some Brits still obsessed with a class system and sticking other people into class categories? It’s sad and ridiculous the number of threads on here about it.

heavenisaplaceonearth · 28/05/2025 08:28

Lots of working class jobs are well paid. Class isn’t to do with money. It’s not a “professional” job in the way Dr, accountant etc is. Did you think all working class people were poor???

His mother must have had him extraordinarily late for the time.

Sparrow7 · 28/05/2025 08:28

Some working class jobs are well paid. More should be. What a weird question.

Squarepuffin · 28/05/2025 08:27

Yes, a good working class job and relatively well paid.

Why are you asking?

FloppySarnie · 28/05/2025 08:26

I’m really curious about why you’re interested in this OP. Has he risen up the ranks and is now CEO of a large multinational?

Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:26

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:23

Now that’s not fair !!

Show quote history

Well it's true isn't it you are questioning a man's heritage and work status being beneath your standards, how is that fair on him?

Everygrain · 28/05/2025 08:26

Are you wondering if he has an inheritance tucked away

Notsuchafattynow · 28/05/2025 08:26

Most of the UK is working class. The clue is in the name.

Yes, there's a large number of well paid working class ( a lot seen to think that makes the middle class, but if you look at the definition, they're not).

What's your job, OP? (And parents).

WeirdyBeardyMarrowBabyLady · 28/05/2025 08:25

Another totally bonkers OP.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 28/05/2025 08:25

Why are you so interested in what someone's dead dad did for a living and how much that would've paid? Serious question.

Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 08:25

WheresMyPlanetGone · 28/05/2025 08:23

If you don’t care then why are you asking? It seems a really bizarre thing to be concerned about, there must be a reason you’re asking?

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Ok because shunter sounds like a working class job but I’ve looked online and it’s well paid

OP posts:
Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 08:24

WheresMyPlanetGone · 28/05/2025 08:19

Why does it matter?

Just interested

looked online and shunters seem relatively well paid

OP posts:
cramptramp · 28/05/2025 08:24

Why?