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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is watching soaps working class?

155 replies

crochetmonkey74 · 12/03/2022 22:32

Just as I say really. I'm an avid soap watcher, grew up very poor and on benefits, now comfortable and in a job where there are a lot of middle class people. At work someone said this as a sort of barbed joke but a lot of people agreed . What do you think?

OP posts:
HoneyItIsntGoodLuck · 13/03/2022 01:49

How does that poster sound a like snob @Mydogmylife?

They’ve just said they and their friends don’t watch soaps, and people at work don’t talk about soaps, either.

I don’t watch soaps and nobody talks about it at my work, either (I have no idea if my colleagues watch soaps or not).

Where’s the judgment in that?

Hawkins001 · 13/03/2022 01:57

Pretty much depending on your perspectives

Choosingtochange · 13/03/2022 02:04

My mother watches all the soaps, every single one and she thinks she is a snob

Back21970 · 13/03/2022 02:21

There is a bit of snobbery around TV in general in my opinion, I am in a professional senior role and have heard snotty comments about people who watch Soaps and any kind of reality shows, both of which I enjoy, especially Corrie and EE.

I have even heard folk who boast that they don’t have a TV as they have a life!

Bit tragic to be so judgemental, or is that me being judgemental Smile

1forAll74 · 13/03/2022 02:29

I think all types of people watch the soaps, probably Corrie and Eastenders, it's all early evening telly,, and these two Programmes tend to portray lots of issues, that lots of families have, so they will get watched by lots of families, The Queen went to visit the Coronation set, and told some of the actors that she watched the programmes.

Thoosa · 13/03/2022 02:33

Probably a bit, but not exclusively.

I’d guess under 30s and over 60s also watch more soaps than the age group in the middle.

It doesn’t matter does it?

workwoes123 · 13/03/2022 06:21

I think it probably is. I am pretty middle class and I used to watch Eastenders, but was always aware that it wasn’t really approved of - certainly not by my parents. It felt like a bit of a rebellion tbh, to watch it regularly. None of my family watch any soaps now, haven’t done for years.

Carpy899 · 13/03/2022 06:43

There will be a thread on here soon asking if breathing is working class or something equally stupid.

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 13/03/2022 07:42

the feeling of routine and reassurance I used to get from being a habitual soap watcher
This sums up perfectly how I feel about it. Watching soaps feels so homely to me

OP posts:
Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 13/03/2022 07:44

@workwoes123

I think it probably is. I am pretty middle class and I used to watch Eastenders, but was always aware that it wasn’t really approved of - certainly not by my parents. It felt like a bit of a rebellion tbh, to watch it regularly. None of my family watch any soaps now, haven’t done for years.
I think this is right, it is always like a little thing that people sneer at, or dont approve of
OP posts:
TheHoptimist · 13/03/2022 07:45

AuntTwacky

You may say rubbish to my post but that is what the data says

Ofcom say Middle class people watch an average 1 hour 21 min less TV per day than people from working class backgrounds

BluntWithAC · 13/03/2022 08:28

Supposedly.

Normally by the desperate to be seen as MC type.

WC and I don't watch soaps, I used to watch Hollyoaks and Skins as a teen though. The rest never interested me.

There is a difference between how you were raised (my WC DM didn't watch any soaps, probably the reason I didn't get in to the habit) and avoiding it completely just because it has a majority WC fan base. That is a tragic way to live.

After all I don't let being WC stop me from indulging in tablet/device patrol at a restaurant. A favourite pass time among the Middle classes.

ToTestOrNot · 13/03/2022 08:31

@ilovesooty

Who cares?
This
julie81 · 13/03/2022 08:45

I would say it definitely used to be in the 70's and 80's maybe not do sure now. I stopped a few years ago due to rediculous plot lines.

julie81 · 13/03/2022 08:47

What I suppose I mean is they were aimed at Working class. In 70's and 80's, they are not now.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 13/03/2022 08:50

I'm working class and I think soaps are a load of shite.

SallyWD · 13/03/2022 08:52

Oh God, who cares?! This country is so class obsessed. Does every action, every personal preference have to be assigned to a particular class?

Joinedforthis22 · 13/03/2022 08:55

I think the difference is that people who thought themselves MC would class soaps as a "guilty pleasure" and wouldn't discuss it at work as they would something like GOT or The Wire.

MajorCarolDanvers · 13/03/2022 09:09

The Queen supposedly watches Eastenders

Thatsplentyjack · 13/03/2022 09:14

I don't watch soaps and I and very working class. Maybe I'm working my way up the class ladder. Wonder what my next step should be....

C8H10N4O2 · 13/03/2022 09:31

@Ireolu

Still don't understand the preoccupation of MN with class. It ultimately doesn't matter if it is or isn't.
In much the same way that race doesn't matter if you are white, sex doesn't matter if you are male etc etc etc
Gotajobthrunepotism · 13/03/2022 10:02

I’m not a massive fan of soaps. But not a massive fan of tv in general.

My mum is completely WC and loves her soaps.

My mum in law is completely MC and loves her soaps

The queen is positively UC and apparently loves her soaps

thebabessavedme · 13/03/2022 10:05

The advertisers care! taking the BBC out of the equation you just have to look at who is paying for advertising minutes during the the ad breaks, its very interesting to notice the social demograffics of who the ads are aimed at, during corrie/emmerdale, it will be home cleaning items/bingo sites/cheap holidays etc. During more expensively made dramas the cost per unit of the advertised item will be higher, not so much a 'class' issue but a spending power issue, it having been reseached as to which demografic watches when.

DillDanding · 13/03/2022 10:08

I don’t know anyone that watches (or admits to watching) soaps. Not sure it’s a class issue though. But the soaps themselves are WC, so that’s probably their target audience.

I’d be amazed if the queen really does watch them. I think that was a bit of patronising spin to make her more relatable to the proles.

cakeorwine · 13/03/2022 10:09

@Gotajobthrunepotism

I’m not a massive fan of soaps. But not a massive fan of tv in general.

My mum is completely WC and loves her soaps.

My mum in law is completely MC and loves her soaps

The queen is positively UC and apparently loves her soaps

I am sure an age / gender / class / region background of soap watchers would be interesting.

All I know about the soaps is that they seem to be on all the time. Without a 'season break'
Who has the time to watch them all - as you can easily miss an important episode.

You don't get Season 4 of Coronation Street, do you?