Page 12 | To think Center Parcs really isn’t middle class

GodAgainstAll · 2023-12-30T16:04:16+00:00

Just spent a few days there for the first time. It’s expensive and the people there seem to be v affluent in terms of clothes/cars, but middle class? I was surprised.

Calliopespa · 30/12/2023 20:21

I think it’s already an offered activity but a poster upthread said it wasn’t done very well.

NearlyMonday · 30/12/2023 20:22

Calliopespa · 30/12/2023 20:21

I think it’s already an offered activity but a poster upthread said it wasn’t done very well.

😂😂😂

WhatsTheUseOfWorrying · 30/12/2023 20:22

Dottymug · 30/12/2023 20:20

Posters on this thread using words like 'chav' and 'common' are showing themselves up horribly. No class.

Apart from those of us who are taking the piss out of the priggish pseudo-posh posters.

Calliopespa · 30/12/2023 20:23

Calabou · 30/12/2023 20:09

Centre Parcs has a class status?! I've never been but it always came across as somewhere anyone could go. Somewhere you'd go if going abroad wasn't possible/affordable at the time. Sounds like it's actually quite expensive though! It isn't my kind of thing, I don't think I'd make enough use of the activities to be worth it, and it sounds quite people-y (I'm fairly antisocial and prefer to go back to peace and quiet 😁).

Anyone can go. We’re all just trying to be silly. Well … most of us are…

Nomagicflute · 30/12/2023 20:24

FKAT · 30/12/2023 16:18

Oh no! Were there non-Guardian readers there? People who graduated from a non-Russell Group university? Those who, for some reason, drive an expensive car but have never read any Hilary Mantel novels? People who live in a period house in a naice area but have never put a "VOTE REMAIN" sticker in their bay window? Those who don't seem short of cash but have an estuary accent? Dreadful. Look into counselling.

Edited

Yeah there definitely were. We were there because OH said no caravan holidays 🤣

NearlyMonday · 30/12/2023 20:24

Maybe we should change the subject and discuss the allegation that the amount of exterior Christmas lights is inversely proportional to income?

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:25

Calabou · 30/12/2023 20:13

The occasional LECTURE? Bloody hell, I'm on my second Masters, work in education and really do enjoy academic writing and research. There is no way I'm doing it on holiday though! Holidays are for my brain to switch off a bit, overstretching it is just as bad as not using it enough.

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When we were at CP (summer holidays) there appeared to be a lot of secondary school teacher couples, and they all appeared to want to "switch off"- given how much time they allowed their kids to use their Ipads, at the dinner table!

Dottymug · 30/12/2023 20:26

@NearlyMonday My issue is a shortage of sockets or the house would be lit up like Blackpool Tower.

Calabou · 30/12/2023 20:28

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:25

When we were at CP (summer holidays) there appeared to be a lot of secondary school teacher couples, and they all appeared to want to "switch off"- given how much time they allowed their kids to use their Ipads, at the dinner table!

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Switching off on holiday is bad enough, but giving children iPads... They should be happy with an abacus and a book on general knowledge.

Calliopespa · 30/12/2023 20:28

willstarttomorrow · 30/12/2023 20:08

But if CP is serious about attracting solid middle class families it must offer entertainment geared at cultured educated minds. 😂
Absolutely no properly, solid middle class family with cultured minds go to CP. Obviously a wind up. New middle class maybe but old school will continue to take UK holidays in some remote cottage and do a lot of walking and National Trust (not bitter at all about my impoverished but upper MC upbringing). One sibling continues to inflict this on their children.

Quite agree. We’ve got the National Trust car sticker. We actually paid a double subscription so there’s a sticker for each car. Still wondering if we should have doubled up again to have them front and back window🤔

NearlyMonday · 30/12/2023 20:30

We’ve got the National Trust car sticker. We actually paid a double subscription so there’s a sticker for each car. Still wondering if we should have doubled up again to have them front and back window🤔

Splendid idea @Calliopespa

mollyfolk · 30/12/2023 20:32

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:09

@Poblano I completely understand that many hardworking parents with stressful jobs want to "switch off" on holiday, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't clapping away at the cabaret-style entertainment on our first night!

But it wouldn't too taxing for CP to host book clubs, language exchanges, the occasional lecture where parents are able to give the brain a bit of a workout, and meet likeminded people who enjoy good conversation.

Hey there is no Cabaret style entertainment in CP 😅

thank goodness you are joking! Now I just have to hope all the other snobby posters are joking too.

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:32

Calliopespa · 30/12/2023 20:28

Quite agree. We’ve got the National Trust car sticker. We actually paid a double subscription so there’s a sticker for each car. Still wondering if we should have doubled up again to have them front and back window🤔

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Two National Trust stickers, you're almost as boastful as @Calabou who's always bragging about her two Masters!

AgeingDoc · 30/12/2023 20:34

there appeared to be a lot of secondary school teacher couples
Interesting. How could you tell? School motto and their subject areas included in their tattoos perhaps? State school teachers I presume? Can't imagine staff from any respectable independent would allow their children to use iPads.

Calliopespa · 30/12/2023 20:34

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:32

Two National Trust stickers, you're almost as boastful as @Calabou who's always bragging about her two Masters!

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Well I’m just scared someone might not notice them 😱

willstarttomorrow · 30/12/2023 20:35

@dingledells Europeans absolutely know how to Eurocamp, the Dutch and Germans are never out of the tennis courts and always win water polo. They also have the best BBQ/al fresco set-up.

Maireas · 30/12/2023 20:36

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:25

When we were at CP (summer holidays) there appeared to be a lot of secondary school teacher couples, and they all appeared to want to "switch off"- given how much time they allowed their kids to use their Ipads, at the dinner table!

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Good bit of teacher bashing as well! Well done 👍😂

Calabou · 30/12/2023 20:36

EducatedMummy · 30/12/2023 20:32

Two National Trust stickers, you're almost as boastful as @Calabou who's always bragging about her two Masters!

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I should add it to my username, shouldn't I? Although if one mention in context is bragging, then maybe there's no need.
Don't worry, none of us are as intellectual and highbrow as you. 😉

belgiumchocolates · 30/12/2023 20:36

Just to warn you @Calliopespa your car wont be allowed entry to CP

Muthaofcats · 30/12/2023 20:36

dingledells · 30/12/2023 19:43

Most of the doctors, barristers, professionals we know do not send their kids to private school now - preferring to spend their money on living in a nice area close to outstanding state schools where most of the kids are from the same sorts of backgrounds. The people we know paying for the private schools are pretty much all in the ‘money’ jobs, mum doesn’t work, dad in finance. The occasional celebrity family. It put us off as I’d rather my kids were surrounded by the former

Why would you rather your dc were surrounded by the former?

I guess values, priorities, networks.

Mikimoto · 30/12/2023 20:37

The pool slides are definitely filled with tattooed 35-yr old midland/northern grandmothers.

belgiumchocolates · 30/12/2023 20:38

Mikimoto · 30/12/2023 20:37

The pool slides are definitely filled with tattooed 35-yr old midland/northern grandmothers.

You spotted me !

Calliopespa · 30/12/2023 20:39

belgiumchocolates · 30/12/2023 20:36

Just to warn you @Calliopespa your car wont be allowed entry to CP

Not even the Range Rover?!! 😳😶

Forgotmylogindetails · 30/12/2023 20:39

@NearlyMonday i just spat my tea out. How very working class of me 🤦‍♀️

Gallowayan · 30/12/2023 20:39

The middle class signifiers used in mumsnet (NT car stickers AGA etc ) are ridiculously stereotyped.

MC people are just as likely to appreciate end of pier commedy (with plenty of nob gags thrown in)

This sort of entertainment would certainly bring in more "solidly middle class" punters to Centre Parks IMO.