So, what does “class” actually mean to you nowadays?

Jilly Cooper published a book about British class system in 1979 which seems rather dated now. I didn't take too kindly to being described as "Definitely Disgusting."

For me there is a difference between the place you occupy in the class system based on background, heritage, income and outlook and the place you occupy as a decent, honest, polite and likeable human being. In my view, the former is class the latter is worthiness.

Andrew Mountbatten Winsor is a perfect example of how meaningless the word is.

petra

Andrew Mountbatten Winsor is a perfect example of how meaningless the word is.

He is upper class. Nobody said the upper classes are necessarily well-behaved.

I think on the whole the class system is alive and thriving in the UK today.

I don’t think they have a class system in America do they?
Is it white, Blue collar thing?

No, they categorise people purely by how wealthy they are, no reference to class at all.

MT62

I don’t think they have a class system in America do they?
Is it white, Blue collar thing?

It is based on money. Poor people are seen as Trailer Trash. Anyone not making money is seen as a loser and money gives power and prestige.

To me it still exists, but it’s not something you talk about. And it has very little to do with how much money anyone has.

I don’t see the objection to the word ‘posh’.

I certainly aren’t ‘posh’, but I know people who are.

And it doesn’t necessarily equate to money.

I think of a lady who my DD was nanny for.

She had money, a beautiful home, highly paid job.

She was ‘posh’.

But if at a stroke overnight her money, home, job, disappeared, she would still have been ‘posh’, no doubt about it.

M0nica

In the socio demographic sense? Nothing. Income is the only factor that matters.

Pretty much agree but it is a word that is still used quite widely. Maybe one day it won't be but while it's in use it helps to understand the specific usage in any conversation.

When it's used on GN discusions on economics there is often a detailed explanation of how the writer is using it. It's when it used on opinion only posts then it can be a little more pejorative, or used so an explanation can be.

Yes class is essential for sociologists, public sector workers, clinicians, politicians etc to identify sectors, and outcomes.

Classic is also used used in a social sense. Often making no sense😄😄

M0nica

MT62

I don’t think they have a class system in America do they?
Is it white, Blue collar thing?

It is based on money. Poor people are seen as Trailer Trash. Anyone not making money is seen as a loser and money gives power and prestige.

Like my ex Bible Belt Trump Voting friend said: Hey honey, you're a foreigner. You just don't understand the American Dream. I bailed out on her as she could only talk about her matching drapes, flower pots, and carpets for two hours!

Class is still very much there but it doesn’t matter in the way that it used to.

Usedtobeblonde

I think on the whole the class system is alive and thriving in the UK today.

I believe the same, the class system is well and truly alive.

In two systems, not necessarily crossing.

Economic, jobs/professions, money AND manners, etiquette.

Well, I have opted out of it.

I have often wondered why so many prime ministers have degrees from Oxford. They have not always proved to be the best person for the job.

It's not just Conservatives, Harold Wilson and Tony Blair both graduated from Oxford and Keir Starmer did post grad studies there. All three women prime ministers were Oxford graduates. (yes even Liz Truss).

Is there some kind of elitist form of positive discrimination afoot?

M0nica

Well, I have opted out of it.

Good for you. The problem is that others haven't and will still judge you on whatever 'class' they perceive you to be a part of.

M0nica

Well, I have opted out of it.

I get that and I would guess it's a feeling shared by many of us.

However, while we might make that choice others will often slot us into the "class" they feel we may fit. Even that may change from person to person as what they us to define in each "class" often differs. I've always thought this fitting others into this sort of "class" was additional form of gossip and I hold that in very low esteem.

I couldn't care less what group anyone thinks I fall into. i have got great enjoyment in the past from people who have assumed I am something other than I am and watching their discombobulation when they realise they have got it wrong.

MT62

I don’t think they have a class system in America do they?
Is it white, Blue collar thing?

Well, they have ‘trailer trash’ and ‘people who live in the projects’ aka social housing,

More how much money you have? Though how you would pigeonhole crims I am not sure.

How do you know how much money someone has? There are plenty of people mortgaged to the hilt, driving leased cars and living on credit, just as there are others in modest homes with old cars and money in the bank. It’s not always obvious which is which.

Agree with Dylis.

Calendargirl

I don’t see the objection to the word ‘posh’.

I certainly aren’t ‘posh’, but I know people who are.

And it doesn’t necessarily equate to money.

I think of a lady who my DD was nanny for.

She had money, a beautiful home, highly paid job.

She was ‘posh’.

But if at a stroke overnight her money, home, job, disappeared, she would still have been ‘posh’, no doubt about it.

My objection is that its a horrible word often used in a snide way.
Why not say your daughter’s employer was refined, classy, ladylike, well bred ?

Income comes into it when you are looking at the use of population data ffor variouskinds of analysis.

Obviously on a individual basis there will be immense variance in the way people live and use the same income, from those who save obsessively and live frugally, to those who live well beyond their income. But if you are dealing with a sample of millions these differences are not that relevant.