What are the main identifiers of those who describe themselves as lower middle classes?

[Rosehip10]

As distinct from middle/upper middle.

Main identifiers? Well, they say they are. Who am I to argue?

Does anybody actually describe themselves as lower middle class?!

Does anyone identify as LMC?

Trying to remember the categories in Watching the English but I think lower middle stresses about words like saying serviette because it seems "naicer" and eating dinner (never tea or supper) at 7pm. And uses things like loo roll covers and clutches pearls about seeing the neighbours' knickers hung outside to dry.

(This is not my idea btw!! Just quoting the book)

Does anybody actually describe themselves as lower middle class?!

^ this. If you do, then you're actually working class 🤣🤣

Being middle class is seen as aspirational, so I doubt anyone is going to self identify as 'lower'. It's used by more established middle class people to disparage those who've done better for themselves. But class is so subjective, watching the Grayson Perry documentaries on class was very interesting, especially the middle class one, most of whom I would not have described as middle class.

They say ‘pardon’, toilet’, ‘settee’, lounge’, ‘serviette’. The idea of being working class horrifies them.

I imagine very few people actually describe themselves as LM/MM/UM
There's a good book by Jilly Cooper called Class that goes into a lot of detail. Written in the 1970s though, so a wee bit out of date 😄

I agre,, @nocluewhattodoo. I thought the GP programmes on class got the middle classes wrong in key ways, and was more lower-middle. And yes, no one embraces the label “lower-middle class’.

So basically working class with "airs and graces", ie pretentious tossers?

Read "Class" by Jilly Cooper

It's stood the test of time!

I think that people probably know which class they are. So if they say so, why would I question that?

Binge watch "Keeping up appearances" to find out more.

I say pardon, lounge, dinner and toilet. I must be LMC. Not sure what I'd say instead for most of them though? Living room, tea and bathroom?

"They say ‘pardon’, toilet’, ‘settee’, lounge’, ‘serviette’. The idea of being working class horrifies them"

I use all those words and would describe myself as working class. Which doesn't horrify me.

Hyacinth Bouquet?

Why is toilet LMC? I get the others because they sound pretentious. But toilet???

Didn't grayson perry the artist do some tapestries about this very subject.

Actually, this reminds me of a conversation I once had. The person I was talking to maintained that I can't be working class because I have a degree. Which baffled me.

I’m lower middle class!!
Teacher
Live in 4 bed semi in a v posh area by chance
Went to a polytechnic not a university ( my course wasn’t available at any red brick and still isn’t)
Reads Guardian
Voted remain and votes Labour
Skint
Eats dinner at midday and tea in evening (although this is a northern thing)
Says ‘what’ ‘bog’ sofa, front room and serviette
Don’t really care what people think
Never watch TV ( not interested)

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince I think teaching puts you in middle middle?

Also, does anyone “identify” as a class? It’s not something I see as part of my identity. I could easily tell someone what class I fall into but I’d never think about it unless discussing class.

I think I'm probably LMC. I would automatically describe myself and my family as working class, but really DH and I aren't I think. We are both university educated, I'm a HCP he's a business professional. Household income of 100k. Enjoy theatre, ballet etc. High aspirations for our dc. But on the flip side he dresses in clothes with logos, drives a bit of a wankers car from the days of boy racing, I enjoy the odd fag in the back garden and we love a caravan holiday, and I'm partial to bingo.
Is that what you mean OP, someone with circumstances that don't necessarily match their background?

TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince are you me?