To think that if you are working class you are NOT irredeemable worthless scum?

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Lots of lovely attitudes shown on the 'is breastfeeding a middle class thing' thread.

How smug can you get?

Hands up if you are working class and not a stupid, uneducated, druggie, selfish, malnourished and mindless waste of space.

And... I think a lot of people call themselves WC as if it's some badge of honour when they are nothing of the sort. They are very sneery about the Middle classes despite the fact that quite often they are middle class themselves but cling onto theis idea of 'good old working classes' because their families are from mining stock. It doesn't work like that IMO.

We are new money GetOrf, spends just as well as old money I find.

I think I shall define myself as Classless.

I would love to know what a 'working class mentality' is and how it differs to a 'middle class mentality'

So how does it work Fanjo? I am genuinely interested here.

Well I come from the upper middle classes I guess. But I am cheerfully laid-back and undriven . I quite like it that way. Being friendly and unambitious and unconcerned by stuff makes for a very comfortable life.

I think I feel the same as you DF - you wouldn't feel working class in a million years just because you worked in a shop, and I wouldn't feel middle class in a middle years just becauase I am a professional.

I think it comes down to more that jobs, I think it really is historical. I think if you come from 150 years of miners you can't suddenly become middle class just because you have moved out of the pit village and buy olives from Waitrose. Just as you DF after generations of your family being middle class, you suddenly don't become working class by dint of working on a till.

The class lines are so blurred these days I think it's getting quite meaningless.

And it makes me talk in stereotypes, I hate that! you cath kidston bunting cupcake baking bitches

Does working class mean I wasn't born with a trust fund and have to work for a living?

I was a free school meals child but also have a degree and a professional job. No plummy accent but I've always been able to pay the electricity bill.

I've no idea if I'm working class or not and to be honest, I don't care. (I breast fed because it was easier than dealing with all those bottles in the middle of the night.)

Of course it's possible. And there is NEVER any reason to call someone scum.

custardo - I think I must be working class then (was wondering what the definition was), whereas the rest of my family are middle class, I think. But I do a pretty good act of being "middle class" when they are around.
We have no money - always counting pennies, but I did breastfeed all my kids (4 of them - could not be arsed to get up and mix bottles - would rather shove babies head up my jumper a lot less bother if you ask me), and while for the most part I don't really use my brains I am quite bright. (can play umpteen different musical instruments to high standard - would that count as being bright - or just talented?). I was educated up to age 21 (but failed course having got myself married and up the duff in final year).
I don't take drugs (unless the dr prescribes them) and can't be bothered to drink (would only make me feel ill so why bother?!)...besides alcohol is too pricey and a waste of money.

I'm not sure what class I am, but I am irredeemable worthless scum.

Do I win £5?

In that case, Getorf, I am a scullery made through and through

But know a landowner with delusions of grandeur...

If I buy a cafetiere do you think that might tip the balance?

What headbanger said.

My mum worked on the checkout at the Coop and got knocked up by my dad, a steelworker, at 17.

They moved into a council house and had two kids by the time they were 19. He battered the living shit out of her and us (as you do, when you are working class ).

Once they bought their own house, we became posh (Grandfather clock from Argos, faux leather chesterfield, Capodimonte figeroons etc).

This then enabled my parents to look down on others who didn't own their homes, and instead chose to have an Elvis clock and "Wings of Love" painting in their living room [available from Grattan catalogue in 52 easy payments].

Do I win anything? Money preferably, so I can go and play bingo with it, or buy some lambrusco?

class class class - you're all obsessed with it! It's so .............. NAF!

I would guess I'm working class - daughter of a policeman growing up, descendants of miners, but Dad later became a lawyer - so what happens then? It was after I left home - or should I say he left home. Anyway we did't 'do' class in NZ, just money i.e. you are a have or a have not or rich as. My OH is "working" class being from Hackney and raised on a council estate on benefits.

But I BF for 14 months, have good degree, good job/career. I do occasionally shop at Waitrose & I only buy organic milk. I knit and can embroider. I am a little sad I don't live anywhere near a Lidl, but I don't ever want to go to an Asda again (oh the horror!).

tethersend, IOU £5

so if you are sort of "monied WC" or nouveau riche with a WC background and you now have a big home, a holiday home and are a trained professional etc but feel WC inside, what are your kids?

When do they become MC?

Other way round too. If your parents are MC, perhaps university trained professionals and you had a typical MC upbringing but work in a shop (for arguemnts sake), your own home is smaller, simple there is less money, your kids attend a local comp and what are they MC, WC, or lower MC? Do they become working class at some point or do they stay MC generation after generation whatever your particular financial situation is?

I don't get this. When I was in Germany, first question anyone asked was "what do you do for a living" literally "what is your profession?". Mostly that is how they judge you. Which I also didn't really get tbh

arf at tethersend and her request also for money.

I will just wait till you get outside and fight you for it!

lol at cafetiere.

Make sure your tea is Earl Grey not tetley as well.

One of my highest points in life (seriously) was getting a set of le Creuset saucepans for christmas when i was 28.

God, what a twat I am.

My Mum has a Elvis clock and Elvis spoons.

We all buy her Elvis shit as we come across it. Bought her a handbag shaped like a guitar once.

Nemofish I think I'm a little bit in love with you...

I am true Hybrid, which class am I born into?.

Father grew up in some Glaswegian slum, no toilets, 6 people in a 2 room house.

He married my Mother who was brought up by Nannies, boarding school and sent to old Aunts in the countryside for the Summers to be taught by the Governess there.

DH and I were raised very WC on a council estate in an ex mining village so it's hard not to still think and identify as WC even though we would probably be classed MC now. Even back in the 70's though there were different levels of WC. Most people around us were proud, hard working and many of their kids went on to have good jobs and probably become officially MC. We did manage holidays in the 70's to Spain and Australia and had a small library of classic books. My mum had been very clever and in the 50's was offered a scholarship to private school but instead left school at 14 to work in a paper bag factory. I've seen people on here look down on folk for not having a degree, equating intelligence with higher education etc. Not really making sense but do feel strongly about this topic.

I think like it. Class is so mysterious and weird

It's like a secret code - just outside my reach.

Can you ever be WC if you have a posh accent?

Morloth - don't think Elvis love is a sign of being common, the Duchess of Devonshire adores Elvis and apparently had Elvis memorabilia scattered around Chatsworth.

Oh Headbanger. You're so right.

Proper poshoes don't need a HP Maserati and a Ralph Lauren shirt. They're more likely to get about in an old pair of jeans, a brown woolen sweater, a 1992 Land Rover and have about 14,000 acres for their horses.