General Chat

I was thinking about this last night. ( I know, I have a dull life lolol)

Most of us on here don't know, in any great detail, the origins, or life style of the people we talk to, certainly not in terms of what 'class' we are identified or identify ourselves as being. A chance comment perhaps might make me think 'X evidently comes from a middle class background...financially if not socially, or both' ...but generally speaking one doesn't know....

So, I wonder, is GR to all intents and purpose the 'classless society' that was predicted?

"class·less (klsls)
adj.
1. Lacking social or economic distinctions of class: a classless society.
2. Belonging to no particular social or economic class."

Do you think of yourself as being 'middle class' ? is that based on financial considerations...or how you were brought up ? Do we have anyone here who considers themself 'upper class'? lol, we might have some hereditary peers on here without knowing ;-)

Is 'class' now more about having financial / educational/ work opportunities, (or not having them) ...and less about what 'class' you or your parents/grandparents were 'born into'?

well I suppose these days I would be classed as middle class, but I class mayself as working class - worked all my life - except for five years after my son was born - OH worked all his life as did my parents, and now my son and daughter in law - so working class it is

I know my place ............ lol

And that's all I'm saying on the subject :-)

My mum always said what AnnC said. I work, I am working class.

But she was like Hyacinth Bucket, always had a mirror by front door and checked her hair etc before she opened the door. And we had a middle class life style.

Studied class in my student days, but not at all sure what it is. I remember a village in the Lake District. And this sociology book suggested there were nine strata of society in this small village.

Yes, Genes does seem classless. I wonder if there are toffs on here. Anyone who rubs shoulders with royalty? One has a connection (quite a close one) to royalty ;-)

No, not who you think - having Empress or Princess as your board name does not imply........

I tend to think of 'working class' as those who work with their hands, rather than in an office, but that it probably now outdated. After all, if all you take is earnings, a good plumber could have a better life style than an office manager

From the Ipsos (market research) site, class is derived by the occupation of the chief income earner

Social Grade of Chief Income Earner
Source: NRS 2008 (unweighted sample 37,359, estimated population 15+ (000s) 49,077

E - unemployed with state benefits only, State pensioners, casual or lowest grade workers,
D - Semi and unskilled manual workers
C2 - Skilled manual workers
Supervisory, clerical and junior managerial,
C1 - administrative or professional
B - Intermediate managerial, administrative or professional
A - High managerial, administrative or professional

all u need to know really

http://www.uknowotimean.com/funny-stuff/top-25-sketches/cleese-barker-corbett/

I am working class as are all my family, past and present. My OHs family are also working class.
:-D

Can't possibly post at the moment as I have to go down to see Cook to discuss the menu's for the rest of the week

Then dress for dinner. So please do forgive me and will pop back later. ;-)

Not sure that Cleese sketch is so funny today. Who would we replace them with?

For me, Ed Milliband is the upper class toff. Tall, nose in air
Vince Cable is Ronnie Barker
And Nadine Dorries wears the flat cap ;-)

Love that clip Rollo ! :-D

Seriously though, class has nothing to do with money, lifestyle or even occupation.

When my father was working as a floor layer after leaving the army, he was working on the house of a GP. When asked a question by the doctor my father replied 'Yes Sir' .
The doctor then said ' no need to call me Sir, we are both working people.'

My father told me on several occasions that to be born a lady or a gentleman was by an accident of your birth, but die a lady or gentleman was due to your own achievement and a reflection of the way you live your life and conduct yourself.

He was not speaking of those recognised for this distinction by the Queen, My father was one of natures true gentleman.

We may not know the lifestyle/class of people on Genes, but many seem to follow the beliefs of the Daily Mail.
Whenever benefits and the unemployed are mentioned, out come the phrases 'Benefit Fraud', 'cheats', 'feckless' etc.

Which I find amazing, as tax evasion costs the Treasury 15 times more than benefit fraud, yet people seem quite happy for the government to lower the already paltry jobseekers,& benefit, (that'll teach the scroungers who can't get a job - mainly because there aren't any).

But accept that those who were lucky enough to have an inheritance or overpaid job, should avoid paying tax in this country (they've earned it honestly - including, apparently the bankers - why should they pay taxes like the rest of us)

Don't get the impression that people feel any less cross about the feckless Lord Wimseys as the feckless jobless. Main difference is that Lord Wimsey does not sponge off us. He has income (unearned) and he spends it, pays taxes accordingly and contributes to the economy.

And same about tax avoiders. If there are legal loopholes and we can minimise our tax with allowances, establishing supply companies in other countries etc, then it is not always the fault of a business or an individulal if they earn sufficient to make tax avoidance worthwhile. If I was very wealthy and had the choice of paying £50k tax to Mr Osborne or £50k to a charity close to my heart, I would tryy to free money up for my charity.

But if tax avoidance is found to be illegal, whether they earn £50miliion a year or £15k a year - it is a criminal offence of fraud. And who on Genes disagrees with that? I've not seen anyone yet.

It's largely a classless society in Australia. We are well known for chopping "tall poppies" down to size. I'm sure that there are people who think they are a cut above everyone else but anyone who puts on airs and graces would be laughed at by most people :-)

John,
Tax Evasion is illegal.
Tax avoidance is one of the perks of the very wealthy - including a lot of politicians/politicians friends & family - hence despite governments saying they'll do something about it - but don't. Much easier to pick on the poor.
Unlike the well-heeled, the poor don't fund political parties for millions of pounds - and then claim the tax back!!

I don't know what 'class' I belong to. But anyone who looks down their nose at me soon gets short shrift - they may think they belong to a better 'class' than me, but they're downright ignorant :-P

On the thread 'where have you lived', it can be seen that I've lived in many different types of 'abode'.
Was I a better 'class' of person when I lived in the detached house, as opposed to the tent/caravan? Was I more intelligent when I lived in a house?
Did people try to treat me differently? Was it where I lived or my accent/dialect - never 'quite right' for the place I was living.

I have to agree with you Maggie, again! :-D

Have to say, a couple of the caravans were lovely - especially the 'Showman's' caravan in Kirkpatrick Fleming. :-D

Have to add, was I 'lower class' and less intelligent when I worked in the fish factory, or as an ag lab, than since 1999, when I got my degree?
I was a bloody sight happier (if somewhat smellier & sweatier) being a fishwife & ag lab than I am now, pushing paper.
...and I'm (in relative terms) not earning much more pay-wise

Times have changed haven't they? For the better I'm sure. When I was young, roughly speaking blue collar workers and manual workers were, I think, considered working class, white collar workers, clerical and professional were considered middle class. Also ( please remember I am talking post war maybe pre war too) I think in those days those living in council houses were mainly considered and considered themselves working class while the middle classes bought their own accommodation. As times changed the lines have become blurred and the classes merged. As I said times changed for the better. From a class point of view that is.

Just my perception of course.

:-D Ann - now only the very rich can afford to buy their own house!!

Yes, that is so true Maggie. Were we starting out now we would never be able to afford to buy. Not if we had the same jobs we had then.