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Original poster

My MN name says it all...

41 replies

notashamedtobemiddleclass · 13/05/2010 16:03

...and I am fed up with people saying/inferring that my family are not "normal", "ordinary", "hardworking" people because our household income is more than £50,000.

DC isn't a bad person, out of touch with the "real world" because he went to Eton and came from well-off parents and my hubby and I aren't bad people out of touch with the "real world" because we are so-called middle class! There's more to the "real world" than struggling to make ends meet.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 13/05/2010 17:31

Why do they always slag off benefits claimants and not prisons?

It really doesn't make sense, seeing as that claiming benefits isn't a crime and being in prison means you're a criminal.

sarah293 · 13/05/2010 17:30

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expatinscotland · 13/05/2010 17:26

K, then, to paraphrase Lady, 'So what?'

If you're fed up, it's probably time to turn the TV and computer off.

Original poster
notashamedtobemiddleclass · 13/05/2010 17:24

Sorry to disappoint you expat - we're nowhere near as wonderful as Hyacinth! Just ordinary people who happen to have a good income due to hubby's professional job in the private sector, and 2 kids, one of whom in particular is very bright. (The other lives entirely in her own wee world - so who knows how she'll get on when she gets to school as right now the only word I can use to describe her is dotty!)

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ooojimaflip · 13/05/2010 17:21

Ordinary Hardworking families was a bit of a theme of all parties though wasn't it? I want to know who is looking out for the extraordinary lazy families.

LadyBlaBlah · 13/05/2010 17:17

Sorry, whats the point here?

expatinscotland · 13/05/2010 17:12

The word 'bourgeois' and the name 'Hyacinth Bucket' spring to mind.

Original poster
notashamedtobemiddleclass · 13/05/2010 17:12

Chil1234 - Love that! Off to think up a new tag-line for my life!

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Original poster
notashamedtobemiddleclass · 13/05/2010 17:09

Riven - I am referring to the continual references Gordon Brown in particular made to caring about the "ordinary hardworking people of this country" in his election campaign, when what he actually meant was people on lower incomes. Thereby implying that those of us on higher incomes are neither ordinary or hardworking, and definitely not worth caring about. Unfortunately plenty of people (inc a heck of a lot on MN) buy into the same theory and are extremely disparaging about anyone who lives in a 4 bed house, has 2 cars, earns above the national average etc...

It's the same with education too - so much was said about how the children to be cared about were the less bright kids from poorer homes. The bright kids from similar backgrounds of course also deserved support - good teachers, great resources, varied opportunities etc... No mention (bar from David Cameron) about the bright kids from "middle class" homes. My kids deserve good teachers, great resources and varied opportunities too!

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Chil1234 · 13/05/2010 16:59

Actually 'middle class' like 'boffin' and 'lag' is a term only used these days in newspapers. In the real world you're classified into some trendy marketing demographic. You'd be an 'ABC1' consumer in old parlance... something much fancier now, now doubt. Rebrand yourself as a 'hard working family'... there's a phrase that hasn't been done to death. LOL!

Original poster
notashamedtobemiddleclass · 13/05/2010 16:50

I think most people would see the 2 as being linked. I don't actually really believe in the class-system, (hence why I said "so-called middle class") but it's how we (and I mean my family personally when I say "we") are labelled because of our income, where we live, the car we drive etc...

I don't mind being labelled middle class until it becomes a negative thing, which esp throughout this whole election campaign, it has done.

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Chil1234 · 13/05/2010 16:49

Well said notashamedtobemiddleclass. We should have moved on from making snap judgements about someone because of their accent, school, heritage, income, postcode, name or choice of dress. However, a lot of snobbery and inverted snobbery still exists... even on MN (shock horror!)

sarah293 · 13/05/2010 16:47

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OrmRenewed · 13/05/2010 16:44

I don't think it is either riven.

And I retain the right to dislike DC regardless of my income!

sarah293 · 13/05/2010 16:40

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Original poster
notashamedtobemiddleclass · 13/05/2010 16:39

oops - just realised that on Mumsnet DC usually refers to Darling Child or something like that. Obviously I meant David Cameron! Sorry - I don't really do acronyms!

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