What makes you working class?

[Greenbluestar]

I noticed the thread on what makes you middle class. So how about what makes you working class? I’ll go first..

• achievement achieved through merit and seldom by privilege
• keen to work and hard working

Any more?

[quote sweetbellyhigh]@CrackerGal

I just observe. You?[/quote]
Only asking because those things you'd listed are absolutely raging stereotypes.
Like from if you'd seen an episode of Shameless or Benefits Britain or the like.

Working class but not employed?! Is there a further ‘class’ who do fit some of the delightful ‘Shameless’ stereotypes then? How can you be called working class if you don’t work?
It’s such a pile of crap, the whole thing.

The 'underclass' which is a horrible term, but that's what the shameless type people are referred to. "The non working working classes" if you like. It used to be a small enough group that we didn't need a word for it.

None of the things you list are unique to the "working class though"?

Also, how does having a clean house and well turned out children, keeping the heating in all day and having empathy make you working class? I know plenty of middle class people that these apply to.

@timeandagain1

Opening all Christmas presents first thing Christmas morning.

Another silly class thread for me to hide.

What a lot of ridiculous stereotypes! The class system still exists in various ways, but posters are ascribing a whole load of characteristics to wc people which are just different personality traits that apply to people from any class! The idea that only working class people work hard or keep a spotless house is hilarious!

@ShippingNews

I'm glad to live in a country where there is no such thing as a class system. I sometimes read that the UK no longer has such a thing, that nobody cares etc, but at least once a week I see a post on MN about class . So I guess it still remains a "thing" for many.

I do love the idea that other countries don't have a 'class' system! Having lived in a number of countries I have yet to find one without a system that distinguishes between people in some way, it's incredibly naive to consider that on;ly the UK has such a system. The US likes to think of itself as 'classless', tell that to the Vanderbilts, Kennedys, Gettys etc etc! The old Soviet Union under the wonders of Communism was one of the most divided societies,

@junglejane66

Darts, beer and kebabs

You want to see into many Officers' Messes and Wordrooms if you think that's a valid descriptor!

I have to be honest I don’t understand some of these. My child was privately educated all the kids were perfectly well turned out and were mainly and firmly middle class, and any middle class folks I know, Inc a very lower upper class friend have immaculate homes. I’ve never heard thay middle class or upper class have dirty homes and children.

@Seashor
You are totally on point, 100%

@Snog

Brioche is not a regular purchase on your weekly shop.

Whisper it but not everyone, irrespective of 'class', likes brioche and I speak as someone who was taught to make brioche long before it became common in the UK!

I think attitudes to education can be different by class. My kids primary school is very mixed with some wc and some mc parents. In conversations I’ve had about which secondary schools parents are choosing the wc parents often emphasise how friendly a school is, whether it had a nice atmosphere and whether their kids have friends, cousins etc already there. By contrast my conversations with mc parents have focused a lot more on academic achievement, university prospects

At some point lived in a council house and do not judge people who rent.

achievement achieved through merit and seldom by privilege
- keen to work and hard working
Ah I was planning on standing up for working class people, but actually this is a middle class bashing thread. Damn middle class people, lazy layabouts

@stayathomer

Oh, how dare the plebs toss out some disparaging comments about the M classes? Who the hell do they think they are? Don’t they know that we are the standard in every social, cultural, educational sphere of life and every facet of their existence is inferior.

I’m fine with ‘standing up for’ them when they unquestionably acknowledge this, but if they dare to cast any negative aspersions on their MC, they can do one.

Yeah, the WC don’t need you.

MadameHeisenberg
I was being sarcastic!!!

[quote MadameHeisenberg]@stayathomer

Oh, how dare the plebs toss out some disparaging comments about the M classes? Who the hell do they think they are? Don’t they know that we are the standard in every social, cultural, educational sphere of life and every facet of their existence is inferior.

I’m fine with ‘standing up for’ them when they unquestionably acknowledge this, but if they dare to cast any negative aspersions on their MC, they can do one.

Yeah, the WC don’t need you.[/quote]
But @MadameHeisenberg the OP's claims are just untrue!

""Working class" is a socioeconomic term used to describe persons in a social class marked by jobs that provide low pay, require limited skill, or physical labor. Typically, working-class jobs have reduced education requirements. Unemployed persons or those supported by a social welfare program are often included in the working class."

I am working class I am unemployed, I rent, grow up in social housing I get under 20k a year, my parents earned 14k a year.

both my parents become working class born middle class, my grandparents on my mothers side owned their home and a shop, drove bentleys etc. on my fathers side lived in a expensive area self employed working as a sports photographer.

Agree with no financial safety net so relying totally on your own resources.
Also living or have family living in council house.
Type of job you do, shopwork, cleaning ,manual jobs ( even if skilled).
And yes, when I was growing up, lack of disposable income.
Usually really Good work ethic, and often houseproud.
Higher education not really the norm or encouraged.
I think it is evolving though and class lines blurr which is a good thing.

@cafedesreves

I agree, but let’s not pretend that ‘working class’ as an descriptive phrase for anything isn’t perjorative.

Working class food, entertainment, fashion, holidays, interior decor, education, jobs, etc. are roundly derided and sneered at, particularly on this site.

Funny how, when the boot’s on the other foot (and the insults are also untrue), some MC folk distinctly don’t like it. Yet they routinely expect the WCs to accept their derision without question.

@stayathomer

Well only you know whether that’s true or not.

I could go past the fifth comment. I got to where I am professionally through my hard work and work ethic. I've never been WC, having either of the above is exclusive to WC people.

[quote MadameHeisenberg]@cafedesreves

I agree, but let’s not pretend that ‘working class’ as an descriptive phrase for anything isn’t perjorative.

Working class food, entertainment, fashion, holidays, interior decor, education, jobs, etc. are roundly derided and sneered at, particularly on this site.

Funny how, when the boot’s on the other foot (and the insults are also untrue), some MC folk distinctly don’t like it. Yet they routinely expect the WCs to accept their derision without question.[/quote]
I agree to a certain extent but not that working class jobs are sneered at. I think there's a huge respect for people who know a trade. It's a real skill.

MadameHeisenberg
Ok!