What makes you think someone is poor?

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What makes you think someone is poor?

I'd really like to know because I've had so many people assume that I'm poor (and not just in the last few years). Not people that really know me but like shop assistents or nurses and such people. I've had plenty of remarks that something like the ronald mcdonalds house would cost me too much money (was 15 euro a night).

I'm not poor. Far from it. I'm a SAHM in a detached house in a nice village. I style my hair every other day, wear minimal make up, always wear some fine gold jewelry. Granted, I don't wear brand names, but I do wear a proper wool coat, real leather handbag and leather loafers. I prefer buying pieces that are good quality and last than just pay for a brand. I don't have a noticable regional accent. DH makes a lot of money. I used to be poor when younger and apparantly I still look it in some way.

I don't have to look like you should rob me, but I would like the concerned poor remarks go away. So tell me, when you see someone, what makes you think that they're poor?

There is something else which is a bit painful, op, but which I recognise - generations of malnutrition can definitely impact one's features and if your family come from an area which is a bit cut off that can be exacerbated. There are various 'looks' - Kathy Burke's is one (christ I hope she doesn't see this) - which I associate with chronic poverty.

Everybody has an accent unless you speak Queen's English.

@Knoblauch

She may well have had a middle class up bringing, but that's not the point. OP isn't poor, but she says that people perceive her as poor.

If it's not looks, then it could be related to elocution

I grew up in the same sort of area as VB and she definitely has a working class accent for the region. Not that there's anything wrong with that accent, but this thread is about what makes people appear poor.

It's an inner confidence you need.

🤣🤣🤣

People that dress flashy ,with logos, I assume are less well off

Everyone I know is RP. Almost

The answers on this thread are hilarious😂😂😂

Being on Mumsnet is like being on another planet sometimes. I imagine the people making these lists are the same people claiming to make 150k a year.

Define poor? Unless someone can genuinely not afford to heat and eat then they aren’t poor. I dont think you can possibly know whether someone is poor unless you know them extremely well. We know a family who may come across as poor- kids wear old hand me downs and shoes with holes in, mum is always talking about budgeting and regularly turns down nights out because they ‘can’t afford it’. But the parents don’t work full time between them (both could be in 6 figure jobs) they qualify for child credit, and all their big ticket items are funded by her parents- car, holidays, replacement furniture. The way they live is entirely a lifestyle choice and not in any way comparable with actually being poor.

You said 'as soon as she opens her mouth she's common as muck' or word to that effect. Which simply isn't true. She has never been common or poor. Regional accents and dialects do not define someone's wealth. That is entirely the point.

Cleanliness of the person and of clothes

Not true in my experience.

Regarding VB she seems really rather lovely and cool.

Love this interview.

Not bragging much.....................300k. Off you go.

Re. visible roots - what about if you are letting the grey grow with the hope of eventually embracing it? I was advised 12 weeks of regrowth to establish the pattern then working with my hairdresser to blend it.

Colour is natural warm dark brown similar to what it was before the grey appeared.

(FWIW I'm not rich by any means and dress for comfort, but I have sensory issues. I am well spoken and educated, but not English)

Round these parts the older more well off people don't seem to care about dyeing their hair. Many will have silver pixie crops and expensive looking outdoorsy gear.

What a nasty thread !

Having known genuinely poor people as opposed to “aristocrat poor” - there’s always one common denominator; inappropriate footwear. E.g., ballet flats without socks/tights in the depths of winter (I’m in the north of Scotland).

A lot of this stuff is what people think they would do if they were better off like shiny white teeth, expensive clothes, hair looking perfect, groomed all the while, when in reality proper well off people often don't bother with all this nonsense.

@Tekkentime definitely not my experience either. You only need to look at the kids, the working class kids are spotless, bath nightly, haircuts routinely. The middle class eco mums seem to compete with each other for longest hair, least frequent bathing and most times clothes can be reused. I personally think it's great, for the planet.

I know what you are saying and yes there is fact in that. I originally come from a very deprived area , generations of it. It is very sad and this reflects in people's appearance due to lack of health and dental care and good food plus drinking and smoking.

But that's an accent too, it's just a historically prestigious one.

A deep sunbed tan

1. Being a young mum
2. Your nails are not well kept
3. Piercings, tattoos
4. Bad teeth
5. Bad skin
6. Bad hair
7. Your accent

@StrychnineInTheSandwiches

Could you please explain the link between having a sunbed tan and being poor?

Are you like others here who seem to be confusing poverty with chavvy common looking people? I have in laws who have fake tans and silly eyebrows, wear lycra bum crack (and other crack) revealing flesh colour leggings which I think are awful but each to their own but they are far from poor.