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

Sago

refined, classy, ladylike, well bred

Yes, she was all those things, but ‘posh’ also.

I don’t use the word in a snide way, and to me, posh is posh.

It’s a compliment, not a put down, for me anyway.

I believe the class system is still alive in this country.

After university, my daughter worked in a global company in Central London for six months paid internship.

People in her office made fun of her because of her North Midlands accent. A guy asked her where she came from and when she replied, he said ‘It must be grim up North’. Someone laughed at her because she used the word cob instead of bread roll.

She even overheard her boss - the head of department on the phone talking about her and calling her as thick as two planks, presumably because she is a Northerner, which is not very nice.

Doodledog

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.

Agreed. Money really isn't central to class, imo.

Read Evelyn Waugh to see what class used to mean. It controlled everything you did or believed.
‘The rich man in his castle
The poor man at his gate.
God made them high or lowly
And ordered their estate.’
Now I think class is mostly defined by education.

I might say someone is (or tries to be) posh but that isn't class. Class to me is more about attitudes than anything else. People can be really poor but still be classy and people can have pots of money but not be at all classy.

I think 'class' is noticeable in good taste and manners.

'True class has nothing to do with wealth or status, and all to do with how you conduct yourself.

Class divisions may now be diluted in this country, but they still exist.
They explain the fascination for so many of a series such as “Downton Abbey” and the ubiquitous Jane Austen dramatisations.

I have never watched Downton, come to that I have not liked the last few dramatisations of jane Austen's novels, but I can assure you that class has absolutely nothing to do with my enjoyment of her brilliantly written, witty novels, which when they were written were contemporary novels.

This is the problem with most historic dramas. they are modern interpretations, generally, by uninformed people, of life in a period before today.

I agree M0nica

Class definitely still exists in this country, even amongst other non white British cultures and a lot of it is down to snobbery and possibly insecurity too

There is nothing wrong in the power of education though and how is should be a leveller but unfortunately for some they have to work harder to achieve.

I went on an EDI course which was quite enlightening regarding privilege

Ostentatious isn’t class

Loud isn’t class

Bad manners isn’t class

Talking about your wealth isn’t class.

Being superior to those you deem your inferiors isn’t class.

That’s my little contribution😊

Oh name dropping isn’t class

M0nica

I have never watched Downton, come to that I have not liked the last few dramatisations of jane Austen's novels, but I can assure you that class has absolutely nothing to do with my enjoyment of her brilliantly written, witty novels, which when they were written were contemporary novels.

This is the problem with most historic dramas. they are modern interpretations, generally, by uninformed people, of life in a period before today.

I’m not denying the talent of Austen, but there are many more novelists whose works justify dramatisations, such as the rest of Elizabeth Gaskell’s books, which depict life of the poor as well as the gentry.

But oh no, we have to have another Austen. Do these programmers have no imagination?🙄

How about the excellent 'North and South', 'Cranford' - excellent cast and Wives and daughters hollysteers? I imagine you could find them on line somewhere. Gaskell has been well represented.

hollysteers

M0nica

I have never watched Downton, come to that I have not liked the last few dramatisations of jane Austen's novels, but I can assure you that class has absolutely nothing to do with my enjoyment of her brilliantly written, witty novels, which when they were written were contemporary novels.

This is the problem with most historic dramas. they are modern interpretations, generally, by uninformed people, of life in a period before today.

I’m not denying the talent of Austen, but there are many more novelists whose works justify dramatisations, such as the rest of Elizabeth Gaskell’s books, which depict life of the poor as well as the gentry.

But oh no, we have to have another Austen. Do these programmers have no imagination?🙄

The OP mentioned Austen, so that is what Icommented on. There have been some brilliant dramatisation of Mrs Gaskell's books but not recently. I managed to get a DVD of a version made in the 1970s, with Patrick Stewart as Mr Thornton and also 'Wives and Daughters made, I think , in the 1980s.

A more recent version of North and South was a travesty, with Mr Thornton as a tall good looking young man,

The problem these days is that tv cannot take a book on its merits they have to be sexed up and made to accord to modern norms of behaviour. I seem to remember a recentish version of Middlemarch was not bad, but I now avoid any modern dramatisation of a book more than about 20 years old.

It’s always obvious when those making adaptations are young and the period film is full of modern phrases or actions.
The Other Bennet Sister was a big hit but annoyed me repeatedly with its 21st century characters in period dress.