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Class and Prejudice, interesting little item

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Rambling

Rambling Report 11 Apr 2009 16:14

from BBC news

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7993920.stm

Do you think 'class' is still an issue these days? are we now a 'classless society' lol....

My ex manageress (French) said once that she couldn't 'place' me class wise...because though I was "obviously working class" in background, I did not fit that stereotype because I was also " well read and cultured " (lol her words not mine...she knew I was an avid reader and interested in theatre and the arts generally etc )

Do you call yourself 'working', 'middle' or 'upper' class...or would it never occur to you to do so?
If you are 'middle class' financially now, but from a working class background...are you proud of your background? or vice versa lol.

Rose xx

Researching:

Annx

Annx Report 11 Apr 2009 16:59

Rose,

I wouldn't know where to draw the line between each of the 'classes' and never think to describe myself or anyone else for that matter as belonging to a particular class. I don't know what I am as a retired civil servant manager and do you change class if you rise from being the tea boy to the factory manager for example??

I think for most of us with this hobby, a working class background a couple of generations back is usual as most jobs were manual.

How people conduct themselves seems to matter most to me.

An interesting thread and I look forward to seeing what people think.

Researching:
Staffordshire, Warwickshire

Uggers

Uggers Report 11 Apr 2009 17:07

Rose, I think people get confused because it's often assumed working class people are stupid. I am working class, always have been and always will be and very proud of it.

I think there's a lot of opportunities for people that there didn't used to be but I do think working class kids often need a lot of drive or the right opportunity to get on in life. Still easier for a doctor's son to become a doctor. So I don't think society is classless.

Rambling

Rambling Report 11 Apr 2009 17:16

Hi both. When I was up in London recently I went and stood outside the building where my Grandfather worked as a hall porter (Carlisle Mansions Victoria ) . His father came over from Ireland 1860's , had a large family, very poor and only very basic education. My Grandfather took the job of porter and did it so well that the people he worked for gave him glowing references ( I have them , which is lovely, and his 'CV' written in his 'copperplate' handwriting ) and he was able to secure a position working as cashier at Lloyds bank ...which was a huge 'step up' .

My background on all sides is working class ( and very proud I am too ) , from my research all seem to have had that drive to get on , without ever forgetting where they came from I think.

Researching: