How do you define class?

[PedroTheCowboy]

I grew up working class. Both my parents have working class jobs, they never went to university and live in a coronation street style terrace house. I went to university and have a phd. I live in a small semi detached house and might be considered lower middle class now. But I can't stop seeing myself as working class. My inlaws also look down on me for being working class because my parents didn't go to uni and they live in a terrace house. What do you think defines someones class? The class they were born, their house, income, university education, the friends they have or their hobbies? Something else?

How they behave.

Could you elaborate please? What might be considered working class behaviour?

How they behave and what they do with her money, I think.

I'd read the millions if threads on mn on the topic....

I believe there’s a BBC quiz you can take to find out what class you are, can’t find it at the minute though.

How scruffy are your children? Do they have floppy hair and called something old fashioned/nature like? Do they wear mismatched Boden with mud all over it?

If not, you’re not MC enough.

Traditionally working class, tradespeople with no skill - coalminers etc. Have to work for their money and will spend spare cash at the pub or whatever.
(Lower) middle class blue collar workers with skill, electrician, mechanic etc white collar workers so receptionists, desk workers
(upper) middle class white collar workers were the further educated, teachers, bank managers etc.
Elite, so the rich, landed gentry, Lords and Ladies etc
When learning the class system I remember being told middle classes were the business owners and the ones with the disposable income, working class were the workers of those businesses.

Its all become very skewed over the past few years because you have famous for being famous types who are rich and the money they have equates upper middle class/elite however as pps have said, their behaviours and spending habits are far from middle class as in they lack class.

Richard Branson is a good example because he describes himself as working class or lower middle class in one of his autobiographies... But he clearly isn't either when you look at him, he is super rich and loves a lavish lifestyle, but he isn't educated like a middle or elite class individual.

I'd say someone with a semi detached house and a PhD was firmly in the middle class category but this is based on a traditional view that class is to do with income, employment and education. I also believe we get far too hung up on the class system in this country and it's archaic divisions.

Anyone who looks down on you ( or your parents for that matter) because of what your parents do/ where they live is highly unpleasant and not worthy of your time or energy.

Think of all you have achieved, do they all have PhDs? Ignore them, it is them that lacks class.

By not giving a shit about "class" maybe??

Neither myself or my DH went to university. Neither did either sets of our parents. Despite this, we are all successful business and homeowners and live very comfortable lives.

It is what it is - I really don't feel the need to "grade" people.

Ridiculous that we still think of 'class' in this country. The most badly behaved are the upper class.
Money doesn't buy manners!

I honestly think it's down to how a person behaves and holds themselves. I know people who have grown up going to private school, houses with pools etc and they can be utterly vile. Also know people that didn't have two pounds to rub together, but held themselves with dignity and cared about others that in my eyes were far classier.

I don’t. Simple as that. If people are polite and decent that is all that counts.

I don't really care much about class and never look down on someone for their education, house, income, or job? I think how you treat others says alot more about who you are. It's silly how people think class is still important. My inlaws make comments and look down on my parents because of their house and education. Especially my DH's aunt, she can be quite nasty just because she went to Oxford.

The only people who care are those people who think they are middle class and who think it matters.

Right, what am I?! I always wonder on these threads and am always too scared to ask myself. I’ve had wine though so sod it!

I’m a single parent, have zero money, banger car, used to own several properties but now rent a semi on an estate. Own my own business, but have periods where I need to temp to top this up. Receive tax credits. Dropped out of uni. Went to boarding school and Ds is now privately educated (paid for by his dad - nothing to do with me). Dad went to uni then the navy, mum a nurse then housewife. Friends are monied / titled on the whole but that’s more because of my schooling and now Ds’s. We have breakfast / lunch / tea or supper. I sit on a sofa in the living room...... can’t think of any other clues to give?!

God not this again

The only people seem concerned about class are petty minded people who should be avoided.

I agree that the ones who seem most bothered are the ones who are determined to be middle class but fear they aren't!

I'm from a working class family but I have a university education and have entered a regulated profession. I think I have working class values, habits and lifestyle as that's how I was brought up.

It is not everyone who can make the right judgement on who has class through birth and upbringing and who is being pretentious.
Those who are trying hard are the ones who would not be seen in a banger type car or with a well-worn wax jacket. They would rather eat spam and have a new car on the drive. They also need clothes from certain shops.
Those who don't try and don't mind what kind of vehicle they drive (think battered old vans etc) and don't mind having holes in their clothes. They are who they are and don't have to prove anything.
I know two multi-millionaires. The first one always has his shirt tails hanging out and his socks are rarely matching. His hair is rather untamed. The second goes around is torn and worn clothes, his hair is also wild and has a beard like ZZTop.

You can’t define it - that’s what makes it such a fun game for everyone

Could you elaborate please? What might be considered working class behaviour?

I wouldn't ever try and define working class behaviour. I don't think there should be a place for so called class, it really doesn't mean anything but some people will use it as an excuse to look down on others and that shows that they really don't have the class they think they do.

I was once asked by someone what school I went to and when I told her she shot me a look, muttered "Urgh" and turned round and walked away from me. I consider myself to have a lot more class than she did because I didn't tell her what I thought of her although I was sorely tempted, the snobby cow

Behave well and you have all the class you need. Behave badly and you don't. In my humble state educated opinion

This is such a good topic.
It seems today many are only too eager to declare themselves MiddleClass.
I remember having a conversation with my mother 20 odd years ago on this very subject.
Her view, which I still think holds some weight, is that people who assume that by material objects be it a nice big house or a marque car (looking at you RangeRover - sniggers) elevates themselves in the social class system is actually a very working class mindset.

And in actual fact more than likely makes you appear as some kind of Chav - especially if a "sleeve" is inked - lol

Also - have you got a toilet brush?

TheBouquets - I totally agree.

I look a scruff but it's not because I'm too posh to care it's because I'd actually like to be immaculately turned out but I never get it quite right and don't have the budget. That's why I think I have more working class values and habits.

These posts never end well.

I don’t think it’s to do with what job you do. You can be an aristocrat and still work in an office. Diana, Princess of Wales, was Lady Diana pre-marriage and the daughter of an Earl. Yet worked as a nursery assistant and cleaner before she married.