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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is ‘shunter for British Rail’ a working class job?

283 replies

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:15

Been dating a man for 7 months. He was born 1970 just FYI. His parents were both born in 1927 just for context and both long gone from this world.

I know his mum worked in a care home - but I really don’t know her level of seniority- could’ve bern a manager - could’ve had a more routine job - I haven’t asked.

Anyway - I know he was close to his Dad and seemed to be a happy family but had no clue what his Dad did for a living so asked him over the weekend and he said

‘Shunter for British Rail.

AIBU to ask if you’d class it as a working class job?

OP posts:
WheresMyPlanetGone · 28/05/2025 08:31

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:29

You’ve basically answered the question yourself as to why I’ve asked -

it sound like a working class job but is well paid when I looked online

Show quote history

Quite a few working class jobs are well paid.
It still doesn’t explain why you’re asking though. Why does it matter to you that his dad’s job ‘sounds working class but was well paid’?

londongirl12 · 28/05/2025 08:31

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:29

You’ve basically answered the question yourself as to why I’ve asked -

it sound like a working class job but is well paid when I looked online

Show quote history

But why are you interested in how much the pay is? This is really weird

Arquebuse · 28/05/2025 08:31

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:23

Now that’s not fair !!

Show quote history

So why on earth are you asking?

Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:31

Squarepuffin · 28/05/2025 08:29

We don't know that's why OP is asking. I'd say her tone is more "he claims to be from WC background, but I'm not sure he is."

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That isn't the tone at all ! I mean I have no idea why she cares so much to be asking but that definitely isn't the tone.

Elbowpatch · 28/05/2025 08:31

Here is an (old) picture of a shunter. Make your own mind up.

Is ‘shunter for British Rail’ a working class job?
WheresMyPlanetGone · 28/05/2025 08:32

It’s also quite bizarre to be looking up the pay scales for your boyfriend’s dead dad’s ex job in the first place.

TookTheBook · 28/05/2025 08:32

A job can be both "working class" and well paid. Class in the UK has very loose connection with money, ultimately.

Have you read Kate Fox's Watching the English OP? It's quite old now I guess but might pique your interest given your apparent curiosity about class.

colonialwomanonthewing · 28/05/2025 08:32

Are you the poster who was obsessed with whether a guy they were sort of dating went to a decent school in 1986?

Arquebuse · 28/05/2025 08:32

WheresMyPlanetGone · 28/05/2025 08:32

It’s also quite bizarre to be looking up the pay scales for your boyfriend’s dead dad’s ex job in the first place.

Deeply bizarre.

Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:32

Working class jobs are minimum wage to start then they have pay scales now, I imagine then it would be what the bussiness could afford, some jobs were better paid because they were dangerous.

Squarepuffin · 28/05/2025 08:34

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:29

You’ve basically answered the question yourself as to why I’ve asked -

it sound like a working class job but is well paid when I looked online

Show quote history

Pay isn't what defines working class though.

It's about physical skilled (or unskilled) work, rather than intellectual work or inherited money. It's possible to do well in working class jobs. E.g. a plumber could earn very good money if he manages himself well, but he's still working class.

There's a lot of honour in being successful working class IMO.

Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 08:35

Jc2001 · 28/05/2025 08:30

What is your definition of a working class job? Just poorly paid?

To be honest it's a ridiculously outdated label to put on a job as it implies that if you don't have a traditional 'working class ' job, it's not really hard work

Show quote history

No not necessarily

OP posts:
heavenisaplaceonearth · 28/05/2025 08:35

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:30

My mum had me at a similar age - I was born 1972 my mum born 1931

Show quote history

Then you’ll be aware that having children over 40 in the 1970s was fairly rare. I think you were considered ancient over 30!

Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:35

What does your boyfriend do op is his job acceptable and not "dirty".

RareGoalsVerge · 28/05/2025 08:36

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:25

Ok because shunter sounds like a working class job but I’ve looked online and it’s well paid

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There's lots of highl y skilled and well-paid jobs that are working class.
Working class does not mean poor.

YouWhatNowHuh · 28/05/2025 08:36

Out of interest, what did your parents do for a living op? Are you very middle class?

Redflagsabounded · 28/05/2025 08:36

Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:32

Working class jobs are minimum wage to start then they have pay scales now, I imagine then it would be what the bussiness could afford, some jobs were better paid because they were dangerous.

Edited

Stated with such confidence but also odd and not necessarily true.

Squarepuffin · 28/05/2025 08:37

Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:32

Working class jobs are minimum wage to start then they have pay scales now, I imagine then it would be what the bussiness could afford, some jobs were better paid because they were dangerous.

Edited

That's not true.

Squarepuffin · 28/05/2025 08:38

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:29

You’ve basically answered the question yourself as to why I’ve asked -

it sound like a working class job but is well paid when I looked online

Show quote history

Yes, but why are you interested?

ForZanyAquaViewer · 28/05/2025 08:39

Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:32

Working class jobs are minimum wage to start then they have pay scales now, I imagine then it would be what the bussiness could afford, some jobs were better paid because they were dangerous.

Edited

I’m sorry, but this is pretty much gibberish.

Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:40

Squarepuffin · 28/05/2025 08:37

That's not true.

Show quote history

Well it depends on the job doesn't it? My dh is in a working class job which has a paygrade.

Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 08:40

OK…….

I’m grateful to everyone who’s responded to me even if you’ve called me snobbish etc .. I wanted responses etc .. I got them.

To those who called me snobbish - I’m not currently working and have considered trying for this job myself actually

one slight problem though - I really want to work for British Rail not the regional companies that are around now 😭

OP posts:
Keepingongoing · 28/05/2025 08:41

Are you trying to work out what sort of upbringing this man had, OP?

Edited to add: Posted before I saw your last post

Squarepuffin · 28/05/2025 08:41

Coffeeishot · 28/05/2025 08:40

Well it depends on the job doesn't it? My dh is in a working class job which has a paygrade.

Show quote history

Yes, but that's not what defines it as working class

TheGreyQuail · 28/05/2025 08:41

Even most middle class are 'working class'. If you have to work for a wage to fund yourself and family imo.
Working class and middle might have different experiences of life and their life styles but anyone can be knocked back as we frequently read on here.

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