Why do some people feel the need to describe themselves as ‘middle class’?

[lottieandmia22]

I met a man who said

‘I am incredibly lucky. I’m a middle class, white, straight male which puts me at an advantage’

Frankly, this made my teeth itch. I thought ‘what a tosser’

Why do people feel the need to do this? I couldn’t care less which class I am.

It was pretty much out of the blue

But does it really matter? It’s obvious from this thread people have wildly different ideas on what constitutes class. I found that bbc quiz quite entertaining, if completely ridiculous.

I know this isn't the point of the thread but I never get the whole "if you have to work then you are working class". That is totally not what the traditional class system in the uk was based on. It was to do with income and the education required for your job. So someone like a lawyer was middle class because they earn a lot and are well educated. Teachers were also considered middle class because although they don't earn mega bucks, they are also very well educated.

These rules are now a little bit weird because some more traditional working class jobs are now pretty highly paid (e.g. plumber). But it has never been the case that if you work then you are working class.

I think the Middletons are upper middle class. Upper class are people with land and family wealth. Royalty and people with titles are aristocracy.

The Middletons have aristocracy pretty close up their family tree.

It depends on the context. Being from a middle class background certainly is an advantage in life in many ways. If he was acknowledging, as part of a general conversation, that he knew he was playing life on easy mode then it’s a valid issue to throw into the mix

Agree ^^

blaaake there are plenty of WC people who love to tell everyone how WC and proud they are. I don't know many truly UC people so wouldn't know what they think about it!

Middle class equals far removed from reality, pen pushing snobs.

I always believed it to be relevant to your professional background, especially that of your parents and grandparents.

That is totally not what the traditional class system in the uk was based on. It was to do with income and the education required for your job.
And also values like saving for the future rather than living to the limit of your income (which is related to getting more education for eventual higher salary rather than leaving school for a wage in your pocket now). Lots of value judgements involved in class consciousness!

I am middle class and don't feel smug about. I feel sad I'm not an aristocrat with a massive fuck-off estate.

Your reaction to him saying he's middle class reflects on you!

He sounds very self-aware and reflective, not at all "dim" as one ignorant poster put it. Your loss if you prefer shaven-headed body builder types who just want women and blacks to know their place...

SockQueen I can honestly say that I have never met one person who banged on about how 'proud' they were to be WC

I have no words toconclude

I've just done that quiz and can confirm it's a load of old hokey.

Apparently I'm "Elite".

Only in my fucking dreams! 🙄

I do try to remember to extend my pinky when quaffing my Buckie straight from the bottle though.

Your loss if you prefer shaven-headed body builder types who just want women and blacks to know their place...

The fact that this is where your mind ran to says more about you than it does the OP.

DH and I come up as technical middle class in that bbc quiz. makes sense, considering we really don't fit with any class stereotypes. We have his granda's pit safety lamp on the original plate rail in our 1930s semi in a "naice" part of town.

Middle class equals far removed from reality, pen pushing snobs

Your loss if you prefer shaven-headed body builder types who just want women and blacks to know their place...

Page one. This is going to go well.

DH is a software professional and I was a scientist in a former life before having autistic kids - strong case of Silicon Valley syndrome in this house.

The upside of the geek running strong is that the knackered central heating controller cost £3 to fix with a new capacitor soldered in rather than £100 for someone to come in and spend 3 minutes slotting in a new £50 receiver.

What he said is totally different to saying "I'm so lucky I'm beautiful" or whatever. He was saying that he had been born with a lot of things that make his life easier than most people - straight, white, male and with a comfortable upbringing - he was just using 'middle class' as shorthand for 'my parents made enough money'. Nothing smug about it, just self-reflective and acknowledging his own privilege. Good for him. Most people in his situation don't recognise how lucky they are.

'Your reaction to him saying he's middle class reflects on you!'

No, I don't think it does. I don't have to be obsessed with class to be a decent person.

I also doubt whether he did have a comfortable upbringing when his family were abusive.

I suspect most of the "elite" would claim they aren't, just as people on here describe themselves as "comfortable rather than well off.

We're apparently traditional middle class according to the survey- mix with all sorts and enjoy cultural things. However we don't have a secure income or savings and live in a very w/c area.

yes, that BBC survey... we are apparently "Elite", too... yeah, right...

I also doubt whether he did have a comfortable upbringing when his family were abusive

not sure I understand this?

I suspect most of the "elite" would claim they aren't, just as people on here describe themselves as "comfortable rather than well off.

Well, from what I could see, my classification of “Elite” was primarily based on the fact I listen to classical music and have been known to skulk around museums.