Author Topic: Just what is "middle class"? (Read 4882 times)

Pri · « **Reply #50 on:** January 21, 2007, 01:38:43 AM »

Who knew defining middle class was so complex??

Wombat, that actually was a really good article defining was middle class--especially the difference between how Americans and English define middle class. I guess the reason I defined it as I did is because..

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many Americans see income as the prime determinant of class.

I guess that's the reason why I approached the question as I did.

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Instead, accent, language, education (usually at a good public school), family background and understatement, in both behavior and taste, are defining characteristics of the upper middles.

I had no idea that those kinds of things were such a determining factor in the UK. ???

Wombat · « **Reply #51 on:** January 21, 2007, 01:40:10 AM »

That's right...I think the UK middle class is more difficult to define than the American one...which seems a bit more straight forward..and less snobby :huh?:

Pri · « **Reply #52 on:** January 21, 2007, 01:57:56 AM »

I think so too. I like my way better. Then again, I guess, I would.

Jayne · « **Reply #53 on:** January 21, 2007, 04:06:18 AM »

Correct me if Iam wrong, but it seems as though the British Social Status is more like the "cast system?" The only way to move up is to marry up?

Gems · « **Reply #54 on:** January 26, 2007, 01:24:18 AM »

Yes, you can't move up unless you marry up.

That's just how it is.

truly_thata · « **Reply #55 on:** January 26, 2007, 02:22:26 AM »

that's why she labeled princess in waiting

Pri · « **Reply #56 on:** January 26, 2007, 02:25:03 AM »

That really sucks---that's not very encouraging..

Gems · « **Reply #57 on:** January 26, 2007, 01:24:11 PM »

I'd rather have that then the American class system

Pri · « **Reply #58 on:** January 26, 2007, 08:10:07 PM »

You're right, Gems. Yeah, marry up and forget about how much you earn and work in life. Just marry up--I guess it's easier. Put on a white dress and plan a wedding for a couple of months.

Maybe, I should move to the U.K. It'll be easier...

Gems · « **Reply #59 on:** January 26, 2007, 09:14:20 PM »

Well even with that snobbery I still think it's better that than having any old person (I seem to remember mentioning Britney) with a million dollers (or however much) as a representation of higher class, however snobbish I sound.

Just because some body has worked, doesn't make them worthy of the money they have and everything else they have, look at Bill Gates. You can't say one person is worthy of all that money.

And it's not just as simple as marrying up, imagine if William married a working class girl. How hard would it be for her to become accepted by the snobs of the circle?

Pri · « **Reply #60 on:** January 26, 2007, 09:48:50 PM »

Yeah and that's exactly what some people have pointed out what's wrong with "entertainment" and tastes today. Britney may not exactly deserve all the money she's earned, but she earned it. Do I think she's worth it? No. Someone thought so--she was paid it and has it. Oh well..There are a million people who have worked hard, enjoy "the good life" and live normal lives who aren't in the entertainment or professional sport industry. It is those people who benefit from not being defined by what school or accent they have. Which just boggles my mind. ???
Some people think the Bill Gates types are what's wrong with the world today--there is so much money in the hands of too few people. Bill Gates may not be worth all that money--but he's earned it no matter how ridiculously overdone it was (and happens to do very productive and good things with it too).
If William married a working class girl, I think it be hard for them to accept her. It shouldn't be so--but I think it would be hard. That's life. However, allowing people who earned their money to become part of that circle along with the people that were born into it and married into it--it would be a good mix. And not just same people marrying each other over and over again.
Personally, the moral of the story is: whatever the economic station you earned, were born into or married into isn't a good determinant of how much class you have. Character determines class. Which is why Britney may be in the upper class (economically) but clearly has absolutely no class.

Gems · « **Reply #61 on:** January 26, 2007, 10:06:05 PM »

So all higher class people do is sit on their arses?

I was talking about the system in America and the system in Britan as it is, because that is how it will stay, however right or wrong we think it is. I wasn't talking about how it should be.

Pri · « **Reply #62 on:** January 26, 2007, 10:13:36 PM »

Ummm...no. I didn't say that.

And I was talking about how it is. I only used the example of how it should be in the example for William and whatever working class girl you mentioned considering have people who marrying in or do whatever they do.

Obviously, it's different in the UK than it is in the US. I think it's strange to be defined by whether or not you went to a boarding school or not and whatever accent you have. Whatever--it bears nothing on me. I can give or take however it's defined in the UK.

Gems · « **Reply #63 on:** January 26, 2007, 10:41:41 PM »

Well there are stranger things

And it's been like that for a lot longer than the American class system has existed I expect

I don't think either are "right", but that's what Kate and all the others have to live with.

Jayne · « **Reply #64 on:** January 26, 2007, 10:47:21 PM »

Quote from: Gems on January 26, 2007, 01:24:11 PM

I'd rather have that then the American class system

Really?

Nighthawk · « **Reply #65 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:02:57 PM »

I would rather not be classed at all, what ever you do or who ever you are doesn't matter how much or how little money you have it's what you do with the life that counts. Going to private school doesn't make you better than a person with no schooling. Heck Kate went to the best schools and look at where she is. (other than dating a Prince) Just because a person may not have as much money as the next person doesn't mean that they are a better person. JMO

Pri · « **Reply #66 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:10:15 PM »

I totally agree!

hippie_cyndi · « **Reply #67 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:14:53 PM »

yep....besides...there's no such thing as 'American Class SYSTEM'...unless s/o invented it for us!

Gems · « **Reply #68 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:42:15 PM »

I think I just did Cyndi

Seriously though, I agree with NH, and it doesn't matter to me what class a person is, but the topic is about middle class.

And yes, Jayne, really. I don't expect many Americans would rather have a British one.

It's not like we are basing our opinions of people on thier class, we're over that now. It's just there.

Lola · « **Reply #69 on:** January 27, 2007, 12:09:14 AM »

Quote from: Gems on January 26, 2007, 01:24:11 PM

I'd rather have that then the American class system

HEY!

what is that suppose to mean,gem?

do you live in America or ever been here if not? i tend to agree w/NH and wish that everyone could have that mentality but alas, regardless of where any of us live at, there are basically two types of "class" .....those that have it and those that dont...and it doesnt have anything to do w/how much $$$ one has either....thats just a bit of lolaism.....

truly_thata · « **Reply #70 on:** January 27, 2007, 01:38:02 AM »

Quote from: Gems on January 26, 2007, 01:24:11 PM

I'd rather have that then the American class system

what wrong with American system? (my personal opinion) i thought British class system is arrogant

MapleLeaf · « **Reply #71 on:** January 27, 2007, 03:06:42 AM »

Quote from: Lola on January 27, 2007, 12:09:14 AM

HEY! what is that suppose to mean,gem? do you live in America or ever been here if not? i tend to agree w/NH and wish that everyone could have that mentality but alas, regardless of where any of us live at, there are basically two types of "class" .....those that have it and those that dont...and it doesnt have anything to do w/how much $$$ one has either....thats just a bit of lolaism.....

Lolaism

truly_thata · « **Reply #72 on:** January 30, 2007, 02:36:42 AM »

this intersting from Cristina Odone comment:
Middle-class children will learn to lie

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/01/30/do3003.xml

so kate is a lier?

HMW · « **Reply #73 on:** January 30, 2007, 09:45:37 AM »

Hey, you know what? She's middle class. It's true. Get over it. Middle class is a large section of society in the West, and she IS a part of it. The term 'millionaire' doesn't mean what it once did (apparently her parents are millionaires, right?). It's a sad fact, but you have to be a millionaire several times over in order to be truly rich these days...I'd say 15 million GBP makes you unequivocally wealthy. But then again, its all relative. Different people will see this issue differently. As a general rule of thumb, middle class starts when you can comfortably afford everything you NEED (regardless of how large your household is or how many family members are working). Once you get to where you can comfortably afford everything you WANT (and by this I assume you're materialistic like the rest of us), you're rich. Everything in between is middle class. xxxxxxxxxx

Gems · « **Reply #74 on:** January 30, 2007, 12:43:42 PM »

Not in Britain.