to wonder what defines 'real class' for you

[Notpaintingthetownred]

I heard a couple of women discussing some people on the bus this morning and one of them said approvingly "of course she has real class".

Just got me wondering, what defines 'real class' for you. Is it somebody who's mannerly and non-showy? Or is it something like 'lives in an old draughty house, loves dogs and wears his grandfather's 50 year old tweet suit' kind of thing?

Tweed suit.

Well someone who doesn’t use the word class like that for one. The etiquette system in Britain is very well developed. I love or actually, it’s quite charming. The upper class are typified by their good manners are failure to give a fuck. One of the funniest things about this country is the obsession with class (although it can be really depressing too). Only in Britain would you overhear a conversation like that on public transport.

Someone who, in every interaction, causes the person they're talking to to feel happier in themselves, and more confident about the future of the world at the end of the conversation than they did at the beginning.

I think the OP is Irish actually, as am I. You often hear people talk about someone having 'real class' over here. However it's probably meant a bit differently from how it's meant in Britain. We don't really have a lot of old monied families here or aristocrats and 'real class' is often used to describe someone who knows how to behave properly, is kind and considerate towards others, and doesn't go around showing off about what they have or don't have.

....and who knows how to use their knife and fork properly.

I think when someone says 'real' class as opposed to just 'class' they often mean the person is the opposite of the kind of nouveau riche showy person who walks around head to toe in designer stuff; goes on half a dozen holidays a year, all to the latest 'in' places'; buys a lovely old house, rips out all the character and installs a swimming pool and a cinema; and basically behaves with 'no class'.

The British Class System is marvellous !

Only in Britain can you live in a damp falling down old pile thats been in the family for generations, wear patched threadbare old clothes and be deemed eccentric - yet the same on a council estate would have the SS swooping in assessing need .

You can have class without education, or money, its more about manner and style.

Earning money does not accrue 'class'. It may accrue status and visible signs of aspiration. Think of the old sitcom 'To The Manor Born' - Audrey had no money but she had class, Richard Devere may have bought the manor and taken elocution lessons, but it was obvious he wasnt born in the class he aspired to. A bit like Alan Sugar really.

You can dress classy, walk classy, speak with a classy accent, have money, move in refined circles; but real class is your manners and behaviour. If you gossip and judge, make snide remarks and try to belittle others so as to boost your own status then you lack class. Be polite, accept others. Be the person at a party or gathering who tries to include the person standing awkwardly on the sidelines; or who encourages the non-popular people to join in a conversation so as to be kind and welcoming. That’s class.

Like the apochryphal tale about the foreign guest dining with the Queen, who drank the contents of his finger bowl; so she followed suit to save him from embarrassment.

I'm Northern Irish and my interpretation of 'real class' would be as above. I know a few people with real class, they're dignified, warm, and make anyone around them comfortable in their presence in any situation. Nothing to do with money or social class. Everything to do with behaviour.

Yes, I agree 'real class' to me would be people with impeccable manners but without being uptight or judgemental. They have a natural ability to glide through ANY social occasion wit, humour and grace and make no enemies and everyone welcome. Someone with those credentials could fit any social class.

I suppose I'd define it two ways:

People who are kind, intelligent but wear it lightly, friendly but don't seek the limelight and comfortable in their own skin always come across as having class.

In a different way, people who have money but don't splash it around on showey stuff like expensive cars and swimming pools and helipads and every bit of latest technology going or show up for their kids' school events all done up to the nines and teetering around in six inch heels or boast non stop about their costly holidays or behave in any way that could be described as 'flash'.

Obama has class.
Trump has not!