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How do you define someone as being posh?

(290 Posts)
NanKate Fri 19-Jan-18 22:18:59

This was a question posed on a local radio programme last night and was fun. Here are a couple of the suggestions, cocking your little finger whilst drinking, using a china teacup.

What are your suggestions ?

NfkDumpling Sat 20-Jan-18 14:26:15

When I was little we were considered posh as our tin bath (kept in an old sideboard outside on the ‘bricks’) was a full size bath and not one of those short efforts.

JackyB Sat 20-Jan-18 14:28:54

Here's the link to the quiz again:
www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/11396961/How-posh-are-you.html

I am apparently fully-fledged middle-class. I lied about the asparagus because I know that in the UK you eat it with your fingers, but here in Germany it is eaten with a knife and fork.

It would have been nice to know which answers defined me as middle class. And, as some have said, some answers were all wrong - e.g. I don't call my friends any of those choices.

Because of the cultural differences it is hard for me to say what is posh, as in Germany people aren't defined by class so much. What does annoy me is that Germans, when faced with a bread roll, attack it with a knife, and cut it horizontally in half. Now that is something I could never bring myself to do. Apart from the fact that I still wouldn't be able to get it in my mouth at half its original height, I was always taught to tear elegant little bite-size pieces off, and I still do this whoever's watching.

lemongrove Sat 20-Jan-18 14:47:18

Haven’t looked at the quiz as yet, but I think of posh as living in a large, old house which has been inherited through the family and not having to buy your furniture( again, inherited.)It doesn’t mean having pots of money, (although they may have lots).Posh also means having grounds and not a garden, and a butler!
Hmmm, what else? In a minor posh way, starched tablecloths, translucent china cups and saucers, ornamental silver fruit knives.grin

TerriBull Sat 20-Jan-18 14:48:07

Not having to buy one's furniture, it's passed down the generations. I believe some chap one snorted about Michael Hestletine, "he has to buy his own furniture don't you know" Clearly nouveau riche Tarzan didn't cut it with some of his peers grin

TerriBull Sat 20-Jan-18 14:49:45

once, not one. You pipped me at the post lemongrove.

lemongrove Sat 20-Jan-18 14:51:47

Done it....I am an out and out U ??cheers!

Jalima1108 Sat 20-Jan-18 14:53:13

I don't call my friends any of those choices.
I don't either, but I knew the right answer so I must be posh
wink

Baggs Sat 20-Jan-18 15:06:28

Will nobody tell me how to eat asparagus?!!!

We use cotton damask napkins bought from charity shops. Sometimes I iron them, sometimes I don't. My mum made napkins by cutting up and hemming an old cotton tablecloth.

Jalima1108 Sat 20-Jan-18 15:07:54

I pick it up, dripping in butter and eat it like that.
You need a napkin tucked under your chin when you eat asparagus
wink

Baggs Sat 20-Jan-18 15:13:12

TY, jal. I usually use a knife and fork. I happen to think asparagus is vastly over-rated. I prefer Brussels sprouts.

Jalima1108 Sat 20-Jan-18 15:15:00

We do like asparagus but it has to be British, in season and preferably local
and as a starter.

lemongrove Sat 20-Jan-18 15:17:34

Exactly Jalima and always picked up using (hopefully clean) fingers.Yum.

ffinnochio Sat 20-Jan-18 15:34:15

Eating Asparagus: green with fingers, white with knife and fork.
Or the other way around
Or just one way
Or the other way
Or not at all.
?

BBbevan Sat 20-Jan-18 15:48:09

Clean, appropriately dressed, good teeth, good manners, minimal tattoos or piercings ( well hidden). Ability to converse without swearing or saying 'you know' or 'like'
And an air of confidence

petra Sat 20-Jan-18 16:07:49

TerriBull
It was the wonderful Alan Clark.
Why didn't the quiz ask if one owned an Asparagus steamer?

grannysyb Sat 20-Jan-18 16:21:32

I wasnt allowed to say pardon, toilet, serviette, lounge or dessert. Had to as what or sorry, lavatory or loo, napkin, and pudding. Still tend to use these words!

grannysyb Sat 20-Jan-18 16:22:45

Say not as!

Grandma70s Sat 20-Jan-18 16:25:02

grannysyb -
Exactly the same with me. I didn’t allow my children to say them, either.

Galen Sat 20-Jan-18 16:35:48

The quiz says I’m out and out U.
I’m not! I work!
Ergo, I’m working class!?

Primrose65 Sat 20-Jan-18 16:52:53

Someone is posh if they have ever cheered the staff on at the school sports 'Chauffeurs Race'. grin

Atqui Sat 20-Jan-18 17:16:17

When I've ever been called posh in a derogatory way it's because I ( and my children) do not have a regional accent. All those words that Nancy M says we must use if we want to be U can be learnt by anyone!

Maggiemaybe Sat 20-Jan-18 17:19:25

I think our tin bath was full length, so there’s posh. But at one stage the shared facility at the bottom of the yard was an earth closet, so maybe not. grin

M0nica Sat 20-Jan-18 17:26:38

I tried that DT quiz, after being unable to select any of the answers on the two of the first three questions, I gave up.

I think it would be difficult to find anyone who doesn't have some characteristics that would be defined as 'U' and others that would be defined as 'Non U'. I suspect the quiz gets answered in line with what the participant wants the answer to be.

Atqui Sat 20-Jan-18 17:49:41

I agree Monica

Jalima1108 Sat 20-Jan-18 18:00:22

When eating asparagus in butter, one needs a linen napkin tucked under the chin as mentioned above.
And also a kitchen roll plonked on the table comes in handy.