Aibu to wonder how the Upper Middle class are surviving with all the ski trips, Xmas in the Caribbean & weekends in Norfolk?

[Starzinhereyes]

Just that... Old friends of ours are part of the UMC set & pre covid had at least 2 ski trips a year, Xmas in Antigua, Safaris in South Africa & most weekends spent with "mummy & daddy" in Norfolk.... Obviously there are plenty like them. We haven't heard much from them over the years, lovely family but we drifted.. I'm pondering out load really, are the UMC making the most of lockdown or secretly breaking all the rules! This couple were fairly active on social media up until lockdown!

I’m sure there are some, like in all walks of life, who are breaking the law but most are abiding by it.

What an odd thread - why not ask them or have a look son SM?
The question comes across as sneering/ridicule - was it meant to?

Nice people worry about those who have less than them.

Unpleasant people look at those with more than them and spew petty little grievances.

Pretty clear which you are OP.

(and no, I'm not UMC)

The same as everyone else. Things have been cancelled for everyone no matter what class you or others feel that they are.

What kind of answers are you looking for? Joint bitching?

I imagine they are mostly mourning the loss of the things they enjoyed pre-covid, like everyone else, and looking forward to the time when they can resume. You come across as sneering and unpleasant. Have you also started a thread asking how CEV people are dealing with having to stay indoors for so long, or how people who have been made redundant are bearing up?

Well, missing normal pre-covid life just like everyone else.

So sorry you don't get to do Christmas in Antigua though

Not sneering just genuinely interested.... Everyone is missing out on normality but i just wondered how the UMC who were so active are coping that is all.... Not jealous, just curious...

Maybe they are not saying much on social media because they are staying at home doing nothing like everyone else. We usually have multiple holidays and travel abroad relatively frequently (DH usually works in the US) but like everyone else we're at home enjoying the same walk every day and making jigsaws, not enthralling for Facebook. Just over a year ago I was posting from a different US city every day on a work trip, now I haven't even seen the inside of my office since November. We're not upper middle class though, so maybe that's different.

Not sneering? Yes you are. What's it to you if they visit "mummy and daddy" in Norfolk?

We have amazing holidays too. I'm coping by looking back with happiness at our memories of trips away and the knowledge that once the world is out of this shit show it'll happen again.

Unlike some, so wrapped up in bitterness and jealousy, I can see a bit further than my immediate situation and understand that the pandemic has affected us all.

Probably relaxing at home with a glass of nice wine, not snarking at other people online...

And more to the point OP, coping without being able to show off on social media about how #blessed they are to go on #hollibobs with the #famalam.

Though I have seen people posting pictures of their completed jigsaws ;)

Probably bitching like hell, I imagine.

TIL only the upper middle class can go skiing, on holiday or visit their parents in the countryside.

It's a bit early in the week for class war vibes

It IS sneering though isnt it? Ooh how are they coping Probably feeling like they dont have a lot to look forward to like most people really.

Pre covid I would have 3 or 4 holidays minimum a year - 2 weeks in Europe June and Sept, a city break and an air bnb in Scotland for a long weekend. Often more. I earn a very standard wage but these are a priority for me as I need things to look forward for my mental health. I dont get my nails done, I dye my own hair, buy my clothes at car boots drive a 12 year old car, make my own lunch for work and shop in Aldi for food. But before covid I would have people say "Oh another holiday. Aren't you lucky" and post covid people have commented that I cant be "a jet setter" anymore. It drives me mad.

You dont know if these families make sacrifices in other areas of their lives to afford this and the gloating tone of this thread is a bit off to me

Probably still visiting parents in Norfolk but trips abroad skiing have been cancelled. It’s up to them how they live their life and good luck to them being able to afford their lifestyle.

Wow,it sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder about other people’s holidays

I’m not UMC by any stretch, but usually enjoy several trips abroad a year. One of my FB “friends” sent me a faux-sympathetic message last year to say how sorry she was that I wouldn’t be able to travel, and how she would miss my FB posts. Sadly for her I actually managed to go abroad about a week later

Though to answer your question. As a frequent traveller, I’ve been spending my time working as usual and saving up for even bigger and better trips next year.

It is sneering. Obviously. I'm nowhere umc but this thread is so goady.

What's there to be curious about? We all cope the best we can.

Holidays were available and open last summer and over Christmas - the Tuscan villa for August and the Barbados Christmas were I’m sure all taken up.

Tho you’re right Skiing has been pretty obliterated in Europe.

And I’m sure there are many trips to second homes that just go undetected/are permitted for child care or family duties.

Most people are savvy enough to know that splashing these on SM won’t be popular tho.

Oh look, a goady first post......

What a nasty attitude.

Thanks for the concern though, we are coping just fine, Same as everyone else, nothing to talk about

Unpleasant people look at those with more than them and spew petty little grievances.

Absolutely. Comes across as schadenfreude, OP.

It’s been a fairly dull year, to be honest. Looking forward to things opening up later this year / next year. Not sure what else you were looking for as a response? It’s been disappointing whether you usually holiday in Cornwall or Antigua.

Well there were plenty that still went to the Caribbean /Dubai for winter sun or have headed off to ski prior to the UK lockdown:

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/andy-wigmore-quarantine-coronavirus-switzerland-b1779668.html

Apparently some dubious 'work trips' involving ski's have taken place since, which sound as essential as the 'work' being done by influencers round Dubai swimming pools.

But they all should have been staying at home like the rest of us since Jan! At least if your UMC then the home you are staying in would be spacious and comfortable.