Friend called me "salt of the earth" - compliment or not?

[ruthyrubie1029]

I always thought it was patronising but said in a nice way??

@veeeeh

Class wars in UK. Was ever thus.

Anything North of Watford Gap is in the firing line. And don't go to Cornwall either.

Honestly, I have never come across a country with more hangups.

Honestly though I've very rarely heard anything like this discussed in real life. To me, mumsnet seems way more obsessed with class than anyone I know in real life.

You can’t say anything on here without someone taking offence!

@lazylinguist

To be honest I've always found it deeply patronising, the sort of thing middle class people say about working class people. Essentially 'a bit rough but nice despite it'

^ This. I've only ever heard it used in that context.

Same here. A friend's new boyfriend said it to DH once, after asking him what he did for a living. It was verbal pat on the head from the man who boasted about his lucrative job in property that we couldn't possibly understand (so lucrative that he lived in Mummy's house)

Oh FGS. It is all about class in UK, it is unreal.

But hey I don't care I am not there thankfully. Sounds difficult to me unless I have a Mercedes and a detached pile. Otherwise I will be judged.

Is that a similar judgment towards the Salt of the Earth thing? Go on, tell me.

Where I’m from South London it means rough around the edges but heart of gold, do anything for anyone. (Said in a Sarf Landon accent)

Means you are genuine and honest, def compliment!!

It's supposed to be a compliment. It does mean reliable, trustworthy, hardworking. But it does also mean "down to earth" in some way I can't really describe. Like working-class opposing middle and upper classes. I must mention that I am not a native English speaker and it's just my perception.

Dependable, reliable, someone who just gets on with life. Not flashy.

@veeeeh
I live in the UK during the last 10 years and yes...the class ""thing" is something that's underlining every single aspect of life here. I am quite sad about it. It's not about the money though. Not only

Gwen someone may be both common and salt of the earth in Swansea, but can also be either/or

Backhanded compliment/patronising.

Essentially "lower class than me but trustworthy"

("Wouldn't steal the silver" )

The class issue I feel is true, if a South Londoner said it to another, it’s a compliment, you’re respected and trustworthy, will feed your kids, will clip the local gangsters (not hamsters auto correct) around the ear but won’t grass, if a member of Made in Chelsea said it, it’s a patronising insult.

If Barbara Windsor said it to you it’s a compliment, if the queen said it to you, she is being an ass.

I've never thought it was a class expression and I've always taken it to be a huge compliment.
PPs are right that Jesus used it to describe his disciples.

I'm not sure if you know that salt used to be very highly valued. It was difficult to get and was used as a currency at one time.

North West - Salford in fact. Definitely a compliment meaning you're an honest, decent, caring person who does a lot for other people without wanting anything in return - and people would do anything for you.

@FAQs

The class issue I feel is true, if a South Londoner said it to another, it’s a compliment, you’re respected and trustworthy, will feed your kids, will clip the local gangsters (not hamsters auto correct) around the ear but won’t grass, if a member of Made in Chelsea said it, it’s a patronising insult.

The class thing in UK is just unreal. Anything North of Watford is alien.

That is just unreal.

It's meant as a compliment, but is usually used about a certain kind of person, like Joe Grundy in the Archers. I don't think it's only used by middle class people but does have implications of being a bit worthy peasant.

Has anyone ever called the Queen "the salt of the earth"?

I once heard a middle class woman describe someone as "a salt of the earth type". We all knew she wasn't talking about one of her lawyer colleagues.

I think it's patronising and means "working class, but decent and honest".

Where I’m from it’s said about people who are “well off, but still a very decent person and down to earth”

Dickon, Martha and Ma Sowerby in The Secret Garden. Decent, poor, hardworking folk who don't talk proper or know how to read, but would share their meagre crust with any passing stranger in need, and might even be able to communicate with wildlife!

See also Steinbeck's Joads and Dickens' Cratchitts.

That's the connotation of 'Salt of the Earth' for me. Only an insult if you think poverty is a character fault, but yes, definitely a certain type of compliment.

I am middle class.

If I said it about someone of any class I would mean true, honest, authentic, brave, full of integrity, hard working, loyal, the best kind of person, and no stupid airs and graces.

What is this Class thing?

As for the Queen, the sooner the better those parasites leave and give us our money back! Versailles is an example.

A rough diamond is someone lower class that's a good person. Now that's patronising!

Salt of the earth does not mean that. It means honest , kind, hard working and trustworthy. That applies to any class.

Usual classism on here

@veeeeh I agree.

I did call a work colleague, lives in a huge manor, very well spoken, total snob, actually has the queens cast off cars, we get on really well but are total opposites, (he calls my area of London long overdue to be gentrified), salt of the earth once, he tinkly laughed and replied “well yes indeed”