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Original poster

Is this 'middle' or 'working ' class

146 replies

FarmerSamon · 30/03/2023 13:07

Back in 2013, I put on Facebook that I'd just shopped at a local weekly outdoor farmer's market set up in our area, and I was proud of myself for buying local, fresh, produce from a small, local, independent retailer - all locally sourced food in paper packaging - not a nasty piece of plastic in sight!! I put a status to this effect on Facebook - yes smug I know.

My Fb friend commented that this sounded 'very middle class' and I said - no you could argue it's more 'working class' as working class people are more likely to have jobs in the primary industries - so I'm supporting the local economy

Any thoughts ?

OP posts:
Mypatioisminging · 30/03/2023 16:35

CocoFifi · 30/03/2023 16:31

if you work; you are working class! This snobbery makes me laugh. I know people that look down on others, as they think having the right car, wearing the right clothes, living in a bigger house, going to certain shops, makes them superior. Most of these people are in debt up to their eyeballs and the people they look down on own everything outright

That’s really not the definition of working class. If it was there would be very different classes, it would be working, retired class, unemployed class etc. and not working, middle etc.

it’s not working class means working people. I’m surprised anyone thinks that.

ouchmyteeth · 30/03/2023 16:35

BritInAus · 30/03/2023 13:12

Seriously?! Farmers markets scream middle class.

This!

DerekFaker · 30/03/2023 16:35

CampsieGlamper · 30/03/2023 13:16

Supporting local industries and businesses is being socially responsible.

I read somewhere that working class was the new vegan. You don't need to ask if someone is it, they will unfailing tell you, whether you care or are interested.

Well that sounds like a load of bollocks.

Much as I don't believe worling class people would brag about being working class, I don't believe they'd brag about shopping at a farmer's market either.

MidgeHardcastle · 30/03/2023 16:36

Yep, contemplating your navel for 10 years is very middle class.

5128gap · 30/03/2023 16:40

Do you want to be MC or WC OP? There is no consensus on what criteria signifies either, so everyone just makes it up to ensure they fit within their social class of choice. You can do that too! Be aware though, whichever class you decide you are, people will rush to tell you you're the other one, and you'll probably feel offended. So once you've made your mind up, just self ID in the privacy of your own head.

Mypatioisminging · 30/03/2023 16:43

happysingleversary · 30/03/2023 14:18

You can't get an answer to this because there are different definitions to working and middle class.

What's yours?

Used to be blue and white collar being an indication of whether you had a job or a profession - professionals are working so I don't get it, but I suppose it means not living hand to mouth?

This is the "erosion of the middle class" though because now I believe professionals and home owners are living hand to mouth? So are they now working class?

New terms needed I think.

I think we're back to or almost back to upper and lower.

If you have savings you're upper. If you live hand to mouth you're lower.

Yes, folks are coming up with their own definitions, which is interesting.

class is not about disposable income. Money only comes into it as typically unskilled labour on a wage, which is what working class is. Typically earns less than skilled labour that requires further education. Which is middle class. Not always but that’s where the difference in affluence comes in.

someone who is working class can have a huge amount more disposable income than someone middle class.depending on how you spend your money and what commitments you have.

CocoFifi · 30/03/2023 18:22

Your opinion. I work and using people's labels, who believe in this nonsense, they would probably class me as upper middle, but I work like most other people so to me I am working class always have been and always will be.

Original poster
FarmerSamon · 30/03/2023 18:29

5128gap · 30/03/2023 16:40

Do you want to be MC or WC OP? There is no consensus on what criteria signifies either, so everyone just makes it up to ensure they fit within their social class of choice. You can do that too! Be aware though, whichever class you decide you are, people will rush to tell you you're the other one, and you'll probably feel offended. So once you've made your mind up, just self ID in the privacy of your own head.

I think this is sage advice. From life experience it is character I'm attracted to in a person - not class. I've seen two young lads - one stereotypically very middle class - secondary school teachers as parents, for example - the other working class, child of Irish immigrants living on a rough council estate. They had almost identical personalities- both decent, straightforward, confident lads (in a good way). They were also both v good looking and the types the girls all fancied - but I of course - aren't troubled by such superficialities. !! Anyway, both were very well liked as decent, good lads who were also lucky enough to be blessed with good looks ... so it's character that matters

OP posts:
Densol57 · 30/03/2023 18:32

To me middle class is about having a professional qualification after a degree and possibly a masters degree. Thats me.

Middle class is not judged by where you shop lol

redrobininmygarden · 30/03/2023 18:34

It must be OP's memory which has come up on facebook

Sorryyoufeelthatway · 30/03/2023 18:35

Cringe-class

Lancrelady80 · 30/03/2023 19:49

Def middle class. Farmers markets (certainly around here anyway) are v much aimed at those with plenty of disposable income for interesting and unusual treats, not buying your carrots cheap off a market stall (those happen in the weekly markets in town.)

Weekly markets = cheap and cheerful, buying supports locals (usually)

Farmers markets = may or not be local but certainly more artisanal and pricey. Aimed at middle class and above really, though happy to take anyone's cash.

Personally, I don't have the £ or inclination to spend £15 on a jar of blackberry jam just because it has a gingham cover, twine holding it on, and a pretty label.

Thepeopleversuswork · 30/03/2023 19:52

Farmers markets are incredibly middle class. No judgment at all but I find it quite funny that anyone would think they were working class. For one thing most people on a low income couldn’t afford to shop there.

onthefence23 · 30/03/2023 19:52

Tree543 · 30/03/2023 13:08

This was in 2013?

This was my thought, it was 10'years ago
Op bless you for still having it on your mind now Grin love from a fellow over thinker

PurpleSky300 · 30/03/2023 19:57

Thanks OP, laughed my head off and would have laughed 'back in 2013' too.
"Not a nasty piece of plastic in sight!"

Abcdef12 · 30/03/2023 20:00

I hate the whole middle class/working class thing. Everyone has different means so if someone has more money I can’t stand it when people say sarcastic comments like ‘oh so middle class’, equally as much as a hate if someone looked down on someone else for not having a lot of money.

What I really really hate though is smug Facebook posts!

FangsForTheMemory · 30/03/2023 20:00

My nearest farmers’ market is once a month and 8 miles away. I go there to buy more interesting food than I can get in the supermarket.

I don’t know why anyone would think it’s about class.

gloriousmulch · 30/03/2023 20:01

It sounds quite MC to me, especially the status about it, but meh, so what.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 30/03/2023 20:03

I think it's borderline 'lower middle class' between 'upper working class'.

AmIThatMam · 30/03/2023 20:06

WorryDolll · 30/03/2023 13:28

I could be wrong but I think, statistically, working class people work fewer hours than middle class people. The entire definition is somewhat blurred.

Show quote history

You are wrong. Wtf are you in about?

AmIThatMam · 30/03/2023 20:06

*on about 😂🙈

maddiemookins16mum · 30/03/2023 20:07

Middle class. Us working class buy our stuff from Aldi wrapped in plastic.

SnackSizeRaisin · 30/03/2023 20:13

FarmerSamon · 30/03/2023 13:23

Yeah I suppose the other aspect is, at an educated guess, w/c people are more likely to stay and work close to the area they grew up in - m/c are more likely statistically to move away. So buying local is supporting w/c

Show quote history

Supporting WC isn't the same as being WC though. Otherwise everyone who gets their bins emptied or has their hair cut is WC.
It doesn't matter what the market was either. It's your motivation that is MC. A stereotypical WC person might shop in the market because it was cheap. If they have spare money it would go on sunbeds, fags and enormous TVs. . If you do it to support a local business or the environment you are MC.

tillylula · 30/03/2023 20:26

Whats wrong with doing something "middle class"?