Painfully middle class - insult or compliment?

[Whatdoyouthinkof]

I was out with friends tonight having dinner. Friend A told us they were considering moving to another (cheaper)town for a bigger house. Friend B told Friend A that she wouldn’t like the town as she is too ‘painfully middle class’.
Friend A was very offended and said it implied she was pretentious , Friend B said she didn’t mean it to be offensive and thought Friend A would agree with her.
If a friend described you as painfully middle class would you take it as derogatory?

I'd say derogatory in a joking, harmless way. Like when my friends tell me I'm high maintenance. You should be able to be honest with friends - and yourself! That's what I love about real friendships where you know their flaws, call them out on it and love them for them.

Friend B sounds like my friend who didn't want to move to a certain suburb she described as "white suburban hell". We all had a good laugh about it, some things are true! (She's white if that makes a difference).

friend b is doing a bit of self depreciation (calling herself pmc) but likewise she is agreeing that the move friend a is considering is a step down.

It's good natured banter.

It probably is - comes across badly at first until you think it might be someone's sense of humour.

I don't have hang ups about 'class' so would be less bothered by it.

Friend A needs to get over her probably painfully middle class self if this is the type of stuff she gets offended by.

Friend B needs to rescue herself from this friendship group.

B called A painfully middle class.

Umm @sevenbyseven you’re right I’ve read that wrong.
I’ll need to rethink that.
not really a nice thing to say…

It was mean, 'painfully' distills an unpleasant vibe.

Friend B thinks friend A is not self aware/ intelligent enough to break ranks and that she is a naive snob.

It was a hurtful thing for a friend B to say.

Would not surprise me, if Friend B then went and bought a house there, herself..