Should Mumsnet have it's own middle class section ?

[hattie43]

Reading some of these threads turning nasty it's really apparent that people have such different lives there will never be common ground . Nor does there need to be but the insults are not nice.

A thread posted by someone asking a question , to some a reasonable question being jumped on by ' the poor ' as tone deaf means legitimate conversation has been drowned out .

Should Mumsnet be divided so
' middle classes 'can discuss things the poor don't relate to and likewise ' the poor ' can discuss their issues without ' tone deaf ' comments from people who aren't financially destitute ?

The other thing I don't get is why jump on a thread you don't like why not just scroll on by and join a discussion you do like . Being a hater is never going to resolve anything .

@Hospedia

I'm not poor and I still thought the thread in question was tone deaf.

This

@Hospedia

I'm not poor and I still thought the thread in question was tone deaf.

Same.

The thread about utility bills? It’s not that you can’t discuss things, it’s that it’s tone deaf to talk about a massive rise in household bills being a positive thing (for your energy use) without at least acknowledging that it’s a huge hardship for many people.

@FlissyPaps

Given that people with not much money exist, what would you have everyone call them? If "your" preferred phrase offends someone else on this forum, how do we deal with that? Do we have to create a system whereby you see your preferred word and the other people see theirs? Or maybe you could stop being such a drama queen?

Just call them “People with not much money”. Or “People on a low income”.

Absolutely no need to refer to people as “The Poor”.
It isn’t me being a drama queen, at all.

Have some decency.

You didn't answer the question that was at the crux of my post - ie pointing out that everyone will not agree on everything - so, inevitably, there will always be someone who doesn't like a particular phrase, but that it is impossible to cater for everyone's individual sensitivities on a large forum.

Basically, you have to shrug some things off and not make a big drama out of it.

The world doesn't revolve around you and your particular sensitivities. I tell that to my kids sometimes.........

The opinions here are so funny - never mind your views on 'class' whatever that is - where else would you find so many people using the word "vile" so often?

Not much in RL, just on MN.

Ergo, a middle class board could prove to be a lot of fun for many MNetters.

The high income get more high income
The low income get more low income

I am a poor, food bank using peasant btw

“You know how it is, people (with money) like to try to get with the "zeitgeist" of the times - I think you say.

Like 07/08 recession when a load of middle class people spent tons of money on wool and knitting needles (or similar) and probably got no further than 6 stitches”

How do you define middle class, op?

I thought your thread title was somewhat tongue in cheek, OP, although with a serious point in your post.

One thing I have learned since being on MN is the absolute hatred some people have towards people they deem as 'middle class'. It's used as a term of abuse; while no-one would dare call someone a 'working class wanker'.

@TheHateIsNotGood

The opinions here are so funny - never mind your views on 'class' whatever that is - where else would you find so many people using the word "vile" so often?

Not much in RL, just on MN.

Ergo, a middle class board could prove to be a lot of fun for many MNetters.

Lack of imagination isn't it . Vile is a paedophile not someone whose view you don't agree with

You didn't answer the question that was at the crux of my post - ie pointing out that everyone will not agree on everything - so, inevitably, there will always be someone who doesn't like a particular phrase, but that it is impossible to cater for everyone's individual sensitivities on a large forum.

Your question: “Given that people with not much money exist, what would you have everyone call them?”

My answer: “People with not much money” or “People on a low income”

Your question: “ If "your" preferred phrase offends someone else on this forum, how do we deal with that? Do we have to create a system whereby you see your preferred word and the other people see theirs?”

My answer: I very much doubt anyone would be offended by me saying “people on a low income”.

We don’t have to create any system where users see their preferred words.

Some people choose to be dehumanising and judgemental members of society and some others choose to not to be classist.

@GreenTeaPingPong

I thought your thread title was somewhat tongue in cheek, OP, although with a serious point in your post.

One thing I have learned since being on MN is the absolute hatred some people have towards people they deem as 'middle class'. It's used as a term of abuse; while no-one would dare call someone a 'working class wanker'.

This.

The title was because the OP of the thread I'm talking about was called ' a lit bit middle class ' I'm guessing that's because they thought only the middle class are concerned about environmental issues . You are right and I raised the post because of the amount of vitriol aimed at those who are called middle class , how dare they work their asses off to achieve something in life . Education is free , hard work and aspiration are free , I worked two jobs as a kid to get by but now their is a huge entitlement to think the government should step in to put right all the ills people suffer . God forbid anyone suggest people are the architects of their own futures .

Being tone deaf to the situation of others has very little to do with class.

Have we all walked a mile in each other’s shoes, mostly not, but we can use empathy and knowledge of the world around us to understand whatever struggle someone is going through. Active listening is just that, not trying to chime in with your own problem and make it all about you. If you have a challenge start your own thread and don’t pile on if you have nothing sensible to contribute.

So YABU (obviously 🙂)

The title was because the OP of the thread I'm talking about was called ' a lit bit middle class ' I'm guessing that's because they thought only the middle class are concerned about environmental issues . You are right and I raised the post because of the amount of vitriol aimed at those who are called middle class , how dare they work their asses off to achieve something in life . Education is free , hard work and aspiration are free , I worked two jobs as a kid to get by but now their is a huge entitlement to think the government should step in to put right all the ills people suffer . God forbid anyone suggest people are the architects of their own futures ."

Based

Would you include yourself amongst the MC OP? And if so, what criteria do you feel you meet in order to do so?

Yabu. A fine example of classism.

* "how dare they work their asses off to achieve something in life . Education is free , hard work and aspiration are free , I worked two jobs as a kid to get by but now their is a huge entitlement to think the government should step in to put right all the ills people suffer . God forbid anyone suggest people are the architects of their own futures*"

How mind-numbingly predictable.

Oh my god! No
What sort of person would come onto mumsnet for a chat on the middle class board? Only an absolute dick.
Who even identifies as middle class? That's just embarrassing. The only class it is ok to identify as is working class. I feel embarrassed for anybody who thinks of themselves as middle or upper class.

It's used as a term of abuse; while no-one would dare call someone a 'working class wanker'.
You are joking. I have read similar and much worse about WC people referred to as scum, chav "they shouldn't breed" or "someone needs to wipe arses and stack the shelves" lack of education SPAG, stupid baby names, benefits scroungers etc.

how dare they work their asses off to achieve something in life . Education is free , hard work and aspiration are free

Oh yes 'those silly poor people who don't work hard enough.' And by the way some further and most higher education is NOT free actually is it. I have second hand embarrassment reading your silly posts.

no-one would dare call someone a 'working class wanker'

Because that's punching down. It's not very nice to make fun of people less privileged than yourself.

OP - do you know how tone deaf you sound?

I don't think that would necessarily be the answer. However some of the posters on here make me uncomfortable. The comments can be very unnecessary and rude

Education is free

No, it isn't. HTH

@BojoMamanBebe

no-one would dare call someone a 'working class wanker'

Because that's punching down. It's not very nice to make fun of people less privileged than yourself.

Oh but it's ok the other way around then ?