What is middle class?

[dolliebauble]

I feel very ignorant when I hear this term. What does it mean to be middle class? What is your understanding of the term? I need more knowledge and understanding about this...

Re Centre Parcs, is still seen as middle-class?

I must say the last few times I’ve been there’s definitely been a real mix of people, lots of families who some would regard as ‘chavvy’. I must say I really didn’t notice much difference between the people there then when I have been on Butlins holidays.

Center Parcs is seen as upmarket, because it probably costs more to go there for a week than a 3 star AI holiday to somewhere like Benidorm.

I think upper middle class actually have money.
Lower middle class not so much.

But basically, when you see a woman walk in, and she screams class (as the adjective), what is it about her? She will be confident, she will be slim and toned indicating a lot of yoga and Pilates probably. She will be dressed demurely. Her skirt won't be too high and her cleavage will be minimally on show. She will have good teeth and hair and skin. Her makeup won't be overdone. She won't have fake lashes on for e.g. She will smile and feel confident in operating within an entire room. She will be able to engage in intelligent debate (educated).

There you have Ms Middle Class.

Ms Working Class is a different kettle of fish
She'll rock up wearing a short skirt to a black tie affair. She doesn't know what hors d'oeuvres are. She'll avert her eyes rather than converse. She will feel uncomfortable in a formal setting.

Let her loose in her own territory, she's the life and soul of the party, drinks the boys under the table, has rescued some randomer from the toilets for making a fool of herself and is discussing the beegees like some Dickensian aristocrat. While her false eyelashes fall off.

It's swings and roundabouts. I'm a chameleon and can pass in posh society as well as in low places. I've got no class haha

If you are worried about what class you are, then you are middle class.

I think that the lower middle classes are kicking back against wealth as a marker of class since the increase in public school fees and their go-to professions being outstripped by the trades for earning potential.

Now it's all about your hobbies.

Yup. Cycling and golf are the preserve of the middle classes... Bless them.

@ThanksItHasPockets I don't think teaching is isolated, but it is one example. Along with most retail jobs (lower managerial) and social workers, and most civil servants.
Unfortunately the squeeze on government services of all kind is creating a new class of worker- who don't have the financial means associated with the middle classes but do have education, careers and ideals which separate them from the growing upper working class, who often have financial means beyond them.

a new class of worker- who don't have the financial means associated with the middle classes but do have education, careers and ideals which separate them from the growing upper working class, who often have financial means beyond them.

I think it's just unfortunate phrasing nop I'm pretty sure bumble means financial means beyond the impoverished middle classes and not 'means beyond them' meaning their capacity/ worth/ working class value.

But I had to read it twice and take a deap breath.

There have always been professions which are solidly middle-class but very badly paid. Librarians and the clergy come to mind.

Back in the day there were laws to prevent people of the wrong class purchasing markers of the other classes (like dyes or particular foodstuffs or whatever) because some of them had the audacity to earn enough to afford it.

If you've got 'class' you've just got it. And you can come from any background. But mainly, money can buy you class.

I put the ass in class. Mainly because I'm a donkey.

Ok.

Kim Kardashian. She has so much money that she could buy and sell my as not that she'd want it. Has she got class? Not a drop of class.
Kate Middleton. She is utterly boring. Has she got class? Yes. In bucket loads.
Two women. Same disposable incomes. I would class Kardashian as lower class and Middleton (or Cambridge whatever she is) as having class.
It's not always about income. You can't buy class.

If you've watched Titanic recently, there's an example in there of 'class'. And that is the 'new money' widow who dresses Jack for his first date. Now she has the money to be in that class. But her peers find her crass. But I actually think her character has more class than all of them put together (bearing in mind that they all married into money).
It's not really relevant anyway unless you're studying marketing. So why are you asking the question?

It's not always about income. You can't buy class.

I suspect that any moderately pretty woman who was willing to do what she was told by advisors could pass as a "classy" consort to the heir to the throne. If you sit in the North Point Cafe in St Andrews there will be an endless parade of well brought up young women in nice clothes walking past on their way to Sallys. Any one of them could get the gig.

Sorry yes I posted too soon and didn't read through it
I meant that there are working class people with a lot more money than middle class people I think
So money is less of a marker than it used to be.

Oh my. I'm afraid I'm not afforded with the knowledge of the intricacies of life at St. Andrews. But I feel humbled that someone such as yourself has graced us with your presence.

I think there’s a new class in this generation.

In the past MC people could pass on their class status to their offspring as each generation in all classes were more prosperous.

Now we have millennials who had MC parents and upbringings who can’t afford the MC lifestyle- homeowners/private schools/skiing holidays.

... until they inherit from their parents that is but until then, they still have the middle class markers afforded to them by their privilaged upbringing such as health, extra tuition, confidence, solid nurturing, world experience in the form of travel, extra-curricular activities and a university bred social network etc..

Exactly @Sarahandduck18 most of my generation have whopping student debt a colossal mortgage if they/we can ever afford to buy and the MC tastes and ideals that are all we are afforded for our MC upbringings

My kids are not MC even though I take them to museums and feed them avocados because we don't have the cash, simple