To ask what things you consider to be of “good taste”

[Dylaninthemovies1]

Well... I was going to say “classy” but I don’t think that’s a particularly classy word!

Following on from the “tacky/common” thread. What sort of things would you say are “good taste” “middle class” etc

I’ll start... appletiser

Appletiser??? Where did that come from?

If I was asked to name a classy posh soft drink it would be Belvoir Elderflower Presse or another flavour similar.

A herbaceous border.

Good taste and middle class are NOT the same.

The Ikea Hemnes day-bed. I say this because every time I’ve sold a property with one in (four times now) the buyers have asked to buy it from me. That’s one classy piece of furniture. (I have also now bought and sold an Ikea Hemnes day-bed four times, yes.)

Other than that, no clue. I own and buy what I like, from my Room and Board sofa I had shipped in from NYC which gets many approving comments, to my Subaru Impreza with retrofitted gold rims, which generally doesn’t.

Definitely manners. Also how you speak. It's the biggest giveaway. 'Oh my goodness', 'I was hoping for finer weather' 'subsequently' etc.

I look like a rubbish heap but get accused of being posh all the time even though I'm not at all. It does help in certain circumstances though such as car dealerships and department stores.

@Dylaninthemovies1

Because I’m fascinated by social class! And what makes the difference between the classes: how we group ourselves into tribes. It absolutely fascinates me!

Why are you so fascinated by "social class"? People are people, they come from where they come from, they move in life ( or not). My Dad grew up in a barefoot area in East Belfast and ended up doing pretty well in life - how would you classify that?

Elderflower presse is lovely too! But just not as special as appletiser

I would say though that listening to belle and Sebastian is a sign of good taste 😊

And that’s equally as fascinating! His social class probably changed throughout his lifetime!

I would agree RJ!

I’m mixed class and find it fascinating, I have so many prejudices and the things I just can’t bring myself to buy or do, from both sides of the family.

Part of it is labels vs materials imo. Quality materials can come with labels but if the label is more important than the production then that’s not “good taste”. So appletize is better than fizzy apple, but pressed apple from the local farm shop (or better still, your own orchard) is better still.

Also inherited furniture, or anything that is built to last. Matching furniture is a pet hate of mine. Kate Fox makes some good points in her book “watching the English”. Upper and lower classes never have matching stuff, whereas middle classes aspire to it.

I’m trying to be aware of my prejudices and not judge others, but there are things that just aren’t “right for me” because of my class background. It’s very complicated.

Simple confidence

Never make anyone realise how ill-mannered or the opposite of "classy" they actually are

I always thought Appeltiser was really naff.

appletiser
Is it middle class to drink a shit ton of sugar? I thought only poor fat people did that. All the posh ladies seem to drink coconut water or just plain water.

Oh no @Persephonecall. I have to disagree. It’s the most sophisticated drink. I believe it’s actually served at the ambassadors reception in some countries where alcohol is frowned upon

Coconut water? Is that a thing?

Books on bookshelves.
Log burners.
A TV that isn't too big.
Home cooked everything.
Keeping chickens.
Growing your own veg/fruit

Not my list ... wonder if anyone recognises where this is from:

Brown bread
Radio 4
Classic fm
Anything made by an Artisan
Golf
Wimbledon
Jazz
The Tate
Sailing
Fountain Pens
Skiing
Cheese
Seafood
Wine you can’t buy in a supermarket
Coffee beans
Manuka honey
Kent

Coconut water is a thing, but it shouldn’t be, it’s vile.

I would have imagined it was a Delicious creamy drink!

What sort of things would you say are “good taste” “middle class” etc

I'm working class but I bring to you great tidings of joy. You are not middle class and you do not have to have it forced upon you.

I'm an amateur genealogist. Your Grt Grandparents were coal miners and mill labourers. Rejoice in that news, ditch these soft drink prententions holding you down, you've discovered your roots. You're free

Natural hair colours (so no in your face dye jobs where it’s obvious your hair didn’t come out of your head that colour). Glossy, unfussy haircut/style.

Short, neat, clean nails.

No visible tattoos or piercings.

Well cut, made to last clothing. Often in natural fibres. Good basics like a beautiful coat, great footwear.

Never showing your underwear in public (I.e when you bend or deliberately as outerwear).

No fake tan.

Natural looking eyebrows.

Simple but expensive jewellery.

Good posture.

Good teeth.

Excellent manners.

Good conversationalists who can put anyone at ease.

Being self disciplined and knowing how to do things in moderation (ie alcohol, food, having a structure to one’s day)

I can imagine to some it all sounds very boring!

Oh and I’m partial to Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade, although Appletizer was my favourite as a child.

I am fascinated by social class too, OP. My children go to a school with a mix of social classes (private so mostly all comfortably off financially - this isn’t a money thing). People have very clearly broken off into their natural tribes.

Black labs vs Doodle crosses
Volvos vs Range Rovers
France/Cornwall vs Florida/the Algarve
Period properties vs custom new builds

Obviously all the former are considered “better taste” but I’m firmly in the latter camp!

A twenty year old Volvo is surely classy.
As is wearing accessories that aren’t identifiable.