To be privileged is about far more than just a private education - discuss!

[soapbox]

I get a little bored of the endless private vs state education threads, as to my mind private education is a fairly minor part of a privileged upbringing. I don't think it makes as much difference as the opportunities that mixing in the higher social circles brings!

I thought perhpas some honest views might explain further!

Some things that spring to mind:

Socialising with judges, doctors, CEOs, FDs, MPs etc mean that finding a summer placement job is not going to be a problem.

Always knowing someone who can get tickets to the latest sports game or must see concert.

Never being unsure which knife or fork to use!

Knowing exactly what you will get when you order 'posh' food in a restaurant.

Travelling extensively and seeing history where it took place and getting plenty practice of speaking languages in their native lands.

Not having to worry about how to pay for your first car, ditto the deposit for your first city pad!

What have I missed?

[Just to make clear - being privileged doesn't mean being better - or being happy and I do realise that my children might choose to be hippy drop outs - which of course they are perfectly entitled to be]

soapbox, you refer to the "privilege" (I know some might argue it is not a privilege) of making it to the top of the elite (or shall I say elitist) City of London (not any city) institutions in finance, law, accountancy, FTSE 100 companies. Yes, class (aka accent), gender (males please), race (sorry, have to say that) play a big role - all things being equal with everyone else having the same abilities to do the job. Just call them blue-eyed boys, the ones handpicked and nurtured from the start of their careers. It happens, I've seen it happen.

Should it change? Most definitely, yes! Agree with you that state education is not enough to level the playing field.

but are they happy in the city working a 80 hour week driving in at 4am in their air con porches? going home to ease the day away in their steam rooms?

having flings with the office temp whilst wifey or hubby doesn't know?

i would hope so!

most people in city don't drive porches, don't start work at 4 am and don't have steam rooms. generalisations as to whether or not they're happy are no more feasible than generalisations about plumbers/nurses/circus performers being happy.

Oh no! It is back in active convos!

I have been desperately trying to avoid looking at this totally self-obsessed thread!

Sorry

I remember now why I don't post moaney threads - no-one else gets what I am moaning about and in the grand scheme of things, in reality, I am moaning about f*ck all!

However, I did pmsl at an event I was at last night though, thinking - Yep! It was all true! I wasn't making it all up!!!!!

Issymum - thanks for getting it - although I concede it was far from easy to tell

Cheer up Soapy, thanks to Issymum's and other comments on this thread I think I know what you were getting at too. My employer - you know who I mean - ostensibly has an EOP, but there are few women and no black British people in the top management echelons. And because it must be one of the few big local employers where degree-level education is not essential for management roles, this is even more shocking IMO.
Shatter-proof glass ceiling in EC, and it's not just about schooling/degree, you're right. Quite a lot of the worst offenders I've encountered over the years were school leavers at 14, barely competent in a modern office environment without a PA to help them locate their arses, and all too keen to yank up that drawbridge behind them.
I could not agree more that children who are loved at home and encouraged are privileged beyond everything, but when you are exposed to such arrogance day in, day out, it can get at you rather.

OMG! I have only just found this thread
Ill be the quiet one.
BUT

Most stuff is inherited

Right on, jimjams! My dad used to always say 'Health is wealth.' I took it all for granted until I was in a serious accident and my legs were jacked up. I needed multiple surgeries and I thought I'd never walk again w/o pain. It was a life-changing experience.

i know most people in the city dont drive porches as i drove there in mine. i won't do it again i'll stay in my steam room contemplating death