To think that it's not a crime to be middle class?

[upsylazy]

I consider myself middle class (there, I've said it) and am a bit concerned at the current tendency to use it as a term of abuse eg "you're so middle class" with "white middle class" being a euphemism for a smug arsehole. I would definitely consider myself lower middle class, I don't live in a big house, have a cleaner or au pair and my DCs don't have stupid names. I am not heavily into organic food (too expensive) and have been known to go to (gasp) McDonalds. However, i still feel a twinge of guilt at being middle class. Hopefully, this is not a national phenomena but I have recently noted a trend among a small group of (upper) middle class women to ditch the Boden and Monsoon for Primark gear and start talking in a mock Saarrrff London accent. This seems to be taking things a step too far and is just inverted snobbery.

Maybe I am strange, but when I meet people I don't try and workout what class they belong to. I take them on face value.
There are twats of all classes,OP sounds a bit of one to worry about this.

I think the courgette is the signifier of middleclass.

Heroine - Am I being dim? Is it a saying I'm unaware of, or a euphemism?

Does knowing wht one is signify the MC, or eating one, or ramming it up one's bottom in preference to watching television by way of entertainment?

Please explain, I'm !

Mrsruffalo, I also take people at face value and I don't lose sleep over this, it's just something I've noticed recently and IlikeMilk, I promise I'm not making it up although, admittedly, it's just a very small group that I've noticed recently and I've always thought they're a bit weird. I do definitely work with a few people who are on a guilt trip about being middle class and use it as a term of abuse about others. I just find the whole thing generally interesting although I know we've supposedly been a classless society for yonks. I watched some BBC4 thing recently which talked about the fact that the working classes used to be respected by the upper class because of their integrity and family and community values. I think there is definitely an underclass which has existed since Thatcher - just watch Jeremy Kyle.

There seems to be scores of different ways to categorise people in to classes these days. I think the only truly sensible one I have seen is the granny22's three tier system .

My colleague, and friend, who is at the same level as me and even attended the same univerisity is most definitely in the POSH category despite having a household income of approximately half of mine [due to our respective DH's jobs] and doing exactly the same job as me. I am definitely and 'ordinary punter'. They have boarding school educations, trust funds and large inheritances we have a state school education (yielding better grades but that is a different matter) and are most likely to be helping out our parents in the future rather than inheriting much. It is what we have in common that makes us friends and the rest is largely irrelevant to us.

YANBU OP - it seems to be a bit of a MN thing at the moment.

Have you also picked up the vibe that people who are successful somehow fluked it to get there?

Doing well at school, having talent, rising above mediocre etc means nothing. If you have a good job and are middle class you're just 'lucky'.

Lol, I remember that documentary. My fav part was when two "Viki Pollards" on a horrible estate were interviewed. The presenter asked them what class they think they belong to and the girls said middle class. When asked why not working class, they got offended and said because they dont work (they were on benefits).

I don't think it is a crime, just a fact and not important.

The courgettes people!

Focus!

i am a member of the zucchini class

I thought I was middle class til I came on MN, where I seem to fall at the chavvier end, but that courgette comment totally resonated with me. I feel the warm glow of middle class smuggery returning Aaaaahhhh, that's better.
And sultanas in curry. That's middle class too, right?

I really don't get it and want to know what you mean.

Is it what you call a courgette?

Someone, please put me out of my misery.

Is your class defined by where you come from or where you are now?

I guess I was born into middle class and have been on a steady spiral downwards ever since!

My Dad on the other hand was definitely born into working class (his Dad worked at the steel works in Port Talbot), but ended up as a Prof at a top uni. Does that mean he's working class or middle class?

I'm not entirely sure I do either MarniesMummy...

'Middle class' as an insult doesn't refer to the person's background, income or education. It usually means pretentious, humourless and a bit up one's own arse. It says more about the insulter than the insultee, if that's any consolation.

I don't get the courgette thing either. Does that mean I'm a scruff?

I'm not a scruff, I'm decidedly middle class (and couldn't really give two hoots about being middle class or indeed class) however I haven't got a clue about the courgette thing.

I really, really, REALLY want to know!

If there is anything in MC to insult it is the snobbishness and pretension that so many MC people seem to espouse. Eat courgettes if you wish but don't look down on those who think they are 'cooked cucumber' (overheard in a restaurant many years ago ).

who said it was, listen you are either

a chav
smug middle class
a stuck up toff

this is england, get used to it!!!!

not in italy marnies mummy!!!!

I am upper middle-class and scruffy I suppose. DH is solidly working class but MIL does everything she can to seem posh and sophisticated which just highlights the opposite IMO. I don't much like posh people

i believe it is a load of confusing codswallop

Dh and I are both pretty stereotypical middle class by both background and lifestyle I guess. Never really given it much thought,wouldn't want to be anything else.

Porcamiseria, what about the hard working, salt of the earth working class with their strong sense of decency and family values? (Frank Butcher springs to mind).What happened to them or have they just morphed into chavs?

Almost everyone is middle class these days.

YANBU I can't stand inverse snobbery as its nearly always linked to jealousy