to think that "middle class" has become a derogatory term

[hijk]

and actually, most people aren't actually part of any class, really, they are just individuals who make their own way in the world.

You do, because generally the list of things that people think makes them middle class are 'better' than things that people who are working class have/are. For example:

Better education
Better job
Better house
Better area
Better holidays
Better cars
Better art
Better "cultural awareness".

Obviously, what people term as 'better' is subjective. Subjective to the point of meaningless, which is my point.

I wonder if middle class can be equated with pornography ?

"I don't know how to define it, but I know it when I see it !" (Apologies to USC Justice Potter Stewart)

Going to uni doesn't make someone middle class!

it is not even that snape.
I am middle class and skint for example.

In other words I can belt out Jerusalem and know the words to the Lords Prayer and how to get to the Tate Gallery. lol. oh and my son had to beg me to buy nastier ham.

DH and his entire family are working class - I think his mother would have a fit if she even even tried to describe herself as middle class.

My mother was working class and reinvented herself as middle class when she married my dad.

DD is in a private school so that pretty much makes her upper middle class I think.

no it doesn't miggsie. it means she goes to a private school.

DD is in a private school so that pretty much makes her upper middle class I think

Is that what you really think? Miggsie

Last few posts are the perfect example.

A child will learn where the Tate is, the Lord's Prayer and Jerusalem most likely at a private school (along with most decent schools). Yet on one hand that makes someone middle class, even if skint, on the other it has no effect at all on class

well I dont know sicvitaest, I suppose it depends how you define 'class'....

How do you define it Sunny?

I don't think private school equals upper middle class unless you're talking about Eton or Harrow. But your standard private school I don't think defines your class. People just make different choices as to how to spend their money. This country is far too obsessed with class.

I think the "naice ham" idea has layers of complexity as a diagnostic tool

Value sandwich ham = not middle class
Deli counter sliced ham = slightly middle class
Organic rare-breed sliced ham = quite middle class
Jamon Iberico de bellota = ludicrously middle class

to be honest sic, with my life experiences, I do not know and possibly would rather not try. My brother married into the semi aristocracy and thinks I am well below the salt, my SM and her daughter as I said are always making comments that would indicate they are of the w/c blood royale. Even though my silly 'posh' mum was skinted by them.
Actually it fucking pisses me off. That is just within one family..such as it is.

I get nitrate free ham where possible. That's useless health-paranoia-class really.

I find the idea of formed ham a bit upsetting.

yes ham is the great class divider.
I seriously had a convo with my DS16 yesterday where he said that if I did not want to be skint, I should 'allow' him to eat nasty ham.
I went straight to Lidl and got the nastiest ham I could find. It was hilarious.
Once upon a time I would put serrano ham in their sarnies, and the other kids would go ....ewwwwww that ham has FAT on it! that is disgusting!

I am common though, just a worrier.

I often wonder what class my DC will identify with.

They can't really be MC with me as their mother yet it would be absurd to call them WC given their lives.

Ah but funny - what is the definition of "common" though?

Common but not rough!

I think what you eat certainly defines your class. Olives very middle class. HP brown sauce v working class. Home made soup used to be working class because it was cheaper but now it seems to be a middle class thing. Organic veg of course.

Well, as the only person here who is cheerful prepared to admit being middle class going back generations, I could ask some searching diagnostic questions, if you like. But I suspect anyone who's been on Mumsnet for any length of time will know how to fake it......

I often wonder what class my DC will identify with.

They can't really be MC with me as their mother yet it would be absurd to call them WC given their lives.

what makes you NOT middle class, word?

Do You think your DC will need to define themselves at all?

salad cream - working class , mayo less so.
my "sister" is always manhandling the salad cream and shouting about how horrible mayo is. I wouldnt touch the stuff~!