Upper classes gravel their drive; lower classes use concrete

[Spearpeas]

Did anyone else see this article about upper and lower classes last weekend in The Daily Mail?

It says things like, ‘Upper classes wear clothes that are out of fashion; lower classes wear clothes that are in fashion’ and ‘upper classes go horse riding on holiday; lower classes do binge-drinking and get sunburned’.

Was it an April Fool?

It’s just that I now keep doing it in my head: ‘Upper classes draw water from a well; lower classes use a tap’ … ‘Upper classes drink Pepsi; lower class people drink Coca Cola’ etc.

So, please enlighten me: was it an April Fool? Because it really can’t have been for real … and what are yours (lighthearted)? (Upper classes do x; lower classes do y) …

@Antarcticant

No it's not considered rude! It's just considered to be evidence that the speaker is aspirational / middle class / non-U. It's snobbery, pure and simple.

'Pardon' is short for 'I beg your pardon' which is what an upper-class person would historically have responded when insulted.

'You, sir, are a cad!'
'I beg your pardon!'

It's therefore technically rude to say it when you have not been insulted, as it implies the speaker has insulted you.

In this context they could have also easily said: What did you say? I'm sorry! Excuse me? To mean exactly the same thing as I beg your pardon! You just alter your intonation - I'm not convinced pardon is rude due to your explanation - I think it's more likely that it's socially unacceptable for snobby reasons because it's French and aspiring.

It was a fluff piece - of course we are far more complex. I'm a mix of the two, well that makes sense because on the socio economic class thing we are upper middle class by occupation and elite on the revised version... I have a tarmac drive out in by the developer but my home is untidy and I wear mismatched clothing. I don't like beach holidays

My house is a mess and my two socks don't even match. I must be terribly UC...

Our 1930s house drive is what looks like the large paving slabs that the council uses with a narrow strip of stones up the centre which are for when your car leaks oil so dunno what class that is

Part of my drive has gravel but the first section has bonded gravel. Posh or indecisive 🤔 🤣

@NeedleNoodle3

I have block paving.

me too