Only the middle class and above think that Class isn't a thing any more.

[FindingMeno]

Just that really.
If you're working class it's as plain as the nose on your face.

I'm middle class and can't say I think about class much. But I do find it odd how a lot of people who define themselves as working class seem to see it as a badge of honour and something that makes them better than other classes.

My mum grew up in a working class home but now considers herself middle class and doesn't see her working class days as anything to be either proud or ashamed of, it was her reality at the time. I have other friends who see this as a betrayal of working class roots. I find it all very odd myself.

Working class used to have a clear definition based on the job the father in the family did, and these days it doesn't. But a lot of people seem to see it as part of their identity. There was a sociological study done that showed that people whose parents or grandparents were working class but who now, if defined by their own jobs, were not working class, still considered themselves working class. They hypothesised this was because they could frame themselves as succeeding despite disadvantage.

You can ask your child's teacher in school, or anyone can go into a police station and get it signed, they don't have to have known you for the required period.

Richard Osman is very interesting on this subject. He puts some of his success down to always being the only working class person in BBC meetings and therefore being the only person who had any experience of a broad spread of TV programmes middle class people generally don't watch. He confused them-Cambridge, so one of us. Working class-so definitely not one of us.

I think this is a tricky one - As someone who would be classed as upper middle class, from old money ( we also earn in the higher tax category ourselves) I do think the class system exists. More so based on socio economic factors now though. At the private school my children attend- there are working class families who have money through their jobs for example a professional gambler, only fans ect . They are very well off and have brand new range rovers, all inclusive holidays type thing and houses that are very glamorous. Whereas the old school ones, I would say families like me, we have holidays to France, hand the uniform and the wax jacket down, go shooting with the gun dogs at the weekend, live in farm houses. I think it’s maybe more our hobbies, how we live that’s different so historically we’d be classed as upper middle class. But I think the spread of wealth has absolutely changed. I know some people who lost wealth through inheritance tax and didn’t put their assets into trust, who now live in very small modest houses but still have the mannerisms of traditionally upper class.

If you were MC you’d understand the use of achingly. Language is one of the ways classes are differentiated.

I'd say the people in my life are 50/50 working class vs middle class and the vast, vast majority don't give it a second thought. I have to say though, the only ones who do are firmly working class and a strange combination of very proud whilst still having a massive chip on their shoulder.

Are you Mrs Reese-Mogg ? I am gobsmacked that anyone lives like that ( ?gun dogs- really?) in 2024. But again it is a generational thing. Those builder's childrens' money will age nicely, their private education will give them contacts, their lifestyle will be more upper/middle than their parents. Those who have lost their money may send their DCs to the local comp, who will them have regional accents and therefore be percieved as more working class than their parents.

No they weren't, they meant that it's like that for working class people, not middle class

@merrymaryquitecontrary I'm happy to talk more about my post-I've obviously expressed myself badly and I'm happy to clarify.

You do realise a gun dog - in our case is a golden retriever right?! There are so many gun dog organisations across England that have groups- just google it- it’s very common?

I agree. I would say obsession rather than emphasis TBH.

Who thinks that class isn't a thing anymore? Of course it is.

But who is "working class" has changed, it's not blue collar white collar now as office work doesn't pay more. I think the issue now is we have an underclass of people who can't get their heads above water

Do you realise how ridiculous you all sound to those of us outside the UK?

It's not really about blue collar vs white collar, or how much you earn, it's about upbringing, education, values etc.

But a going shooting ? Really that is quite niche. Having a Lab ( showing my roots there) of course not at all, although difficult if you are all out all day at you know work ?

Yes but you said it's as plain as the nose on your face, so I thought you meant it's obvious to others. If so, how?

No idea and I don't care.

That's really quite irrelevant. Things work a certain way in the U.K. Do you expect people not to discuss things that directly impact them?

@merrymaryquitecontrary "You can ask your child's teacher in school, or anyone can go into a police station and get it signed, they don't have to have known you for the required period."

I'm pretty sure this isn't the case-can someone confirm?

Remind me. Who is the prime minster?

I would have thought the middle classes were acutely aware of the class system. Most precarious position to be in since you are aspiring to go up but can also go down.

In 2015 we had a prime minister, mayor of London and Archbishop of Canterbury who had all been to the same school. There is a long way to go.

Well it seems alive and well on here has there been a day where class is not mentioned? Not sure which class seems obsessed about it though

Other people would be able to tell instantly.