[Closed] Cynic-Al's post on being more middle class...

Selfish navel-gazers

Know your place, prole 😉

pretty sure it's a joke on a forum filled with mostly banter.
Wada yowse reckon?

White cars. I blame the them for starting the game.

I blame M&S.

running out of cornichons

Not a problem..... I have it in every room

[img] [/img]

.....except the Media room obviously - ruins the acoustics.

and the Orangery.

Is the OP slightly tinged with jealousy I wonder 😆

Trying to prove you are "not like the rest" by posting a scathing retort to another forum members posts, by outlining just how socially different you are is simply a cry for help.

Give in, roll over and take it like a man.

😆

running out of cornichons for Harry's packed lunch please do share!!

Irony and humour detector malfunction?

Perchy - excellent!! 😉

I've always drive Japanese cars. People lease/PCP new Audi's because it helps them appear to be doing well.

Im on a course this week and I said to another 'I notice you drive a Corolla, why'? He said better to spend your wage elsewhere than on maintaining a vehicle.

Why work hard just to spend a big chunk of your wage on something with S line written on it?

Why the need to be seen moving up the property ladder?

White cars

I don't think you can become "middle class" on your own accord. You need to have been brought up with it by your parents, and their parents aswell.

There's a street I walk down on the way to work, it borders the "rough" area of town. I often get the feeling some of the residents of this street are trying to hard; one of the houses has TWO white cars, one an Audi with personalized plates.

Bin day is the giveaway though; wheelie bins overflowing, full bin bags piled up on the pavement; they're never middle class....

I don't think you can become "middle class" on your own accord

No, a Honda won't do it. You need an A4 or 3 series at least.

Just the fact that we can make these distinctions on here, even in jest, testifies to the classism that is fundamental to British society.

Thankfully, with my Canadian accent and unyielding egalitarian cultural expectations, I get to stand outside of it all. /smug

😉

Thankfully, with my Canadian accent and unyielding egalitarian cultural expectations, I get to stand outside of it all. /smug

Eeeew ! A colonial!

Benson....Release the hounds 😉

Prole?? I'm just normal!

think the post is confusing consumerism and class
one is pointlessly acquisitive the other pointlessly pointless

Where i live its a decent area

QED

Oh, and OP: KYP*

*know your place

ridiculously big cars that are disproportionate to the value of the house, couples in silent competition with their friends.....personally i cannot be effin ar5ed with all that nonsense.

In its self thats not a particularly 'middle class' trait, but maybe a trait thats common to certain worlds of work. People might not realise they're part of it but some lines of work require Peacocks Feathers - their field business, and therefore the employees, need to show their success and corporate 'health' outwardly - individuals might not realise that they are caught up in that culture of display. Everyone around them is doing it so thats what seems 'normal'.

In some lines of work thats sort of inverted. In my line of work there are no such expectations, in fact it would be a weird aberration to drive a new (or even fairly new) car for instance, its not even that typical to even own one (in fact its an ongoing frustration for me when I book people to find people who even have a license). People would even be pretty puzzled as to what you're priorities were if you did. Non the less, as an arts and media 'type' I'm pretty sure I'm middle class.

[quote=maccruiskeen ]

ridiculously big cars that are disproportionate to the value of the house, couples in silent competition with their friends.....personally i cannot be effin ar5ed with all that nonsense.

The car thing isn't at all a middle class trait - on the contrary it's an aspirational trait which I'd expect to be more common amongst working class people with money. We're desperately middle class around here, but very little of that - a few newish cars around and one or two company cars, but nothing at all flash. But then most people around are established middle class with enough money but not loads (well actually I know one or two for whom things are quite tight - in terms of income we're in that category), and no need to prove anything to anybody.

Laughing at how other people eat their peas has been a staple of British humour for ever.

The funniest are those who just can't wait to slip in the fact that they've just spent x on y.
Being British, they're embarrassed.
Hence we get 'Help, I've burnt my home made bread in the Dualit. Scrape, or throw it straight into the Brabantia'?

I'm classless me, like the old Mini or genital warts.
😀

That's the beauty though innit? I could be a Northern Pasty magnate (note the additional 'e'), or I could live in the bins behind Netto in Derker and you'd never know.

Middle Class people are just like working class people.

Only a bit nicer 😉

Oh, and this is perfect:

[img] [/img]

Rusty Spanner - Member
The funniest are those who just can't wait to slip in the fact that they've just spent x on y.

I'm pretty sure the only "I've just bought" posts I've made have been bikes (or maybe the van I bought for carrying bikes). Being On Topic, it never really occurred to me that I was showing off in some way. Point taken.

You're feeling guilty now? Middle class

Or Catholic.

I don't think bike threads count?
We're all mad about bikes aren't we?

Why the need to be seen moving up the property ladder

I'm fairly sure people just want nicer houses, it's not really about "being seen".

See also cars, bikes, clothes, holidays, food shopping etc. Some will always be intent on this 'silent competition', but WGAS? If no one aspired to better things we'd all live in some shit heap 2-up 2-down in the north west and shop at Asda.

I don't think bike threads count?
We're all mad about bikes aren't we?
I like new bike threads.

...unless you buy the bike from Halfords in which case you're clearly an oik.

Disclaimer: My bike is from Halfords. Je suis oik.

What makes it funnier is that by laughing at and with others, we reveal our own prejudices and insecurities.
And thus the game continues.

We all do it subconsciously, but it does make living in Britain a slightly more amusing place.
🙂

I do it very consciously. Tesco and Asda truly are full of the dregs of humanity!

I'm fairly sure people just want nicer houses,

Nonsense, they all want to live in a hovel, but only buy nice houses to be one up on the Jones....

We all know the type, surely?

I worked with a haridan called Paula who sold her house and moved six doors up the road just so she could have a different post code.

Chadderton instead of New Moston.
S'all relative.

scotroutes - Member
it never really occurred to me that I was showing off in some way. Point taken.

We have some wealthy friends. When they mention one of their other wealthy friends the person's name is generally followed with "and he's worth x million pounds".
I always thought it odd.

I'm the dregs of humanity.

http://overheard.liketodiscover.com/ten-of-the-best-overheard-in-waitrose-comments-ever/

We shop in Waitrose.

We have some wealthy friends. When they mention one of their other wealthy friends the person's name is generally followed with "and he's worth x million pounds".
I always thought it odd.

Yes, folks who talk about their rich friends are very strange...

I'm the Humanity of Dregs, or so I like to think. Nothing beats being aspirational.

Dr. Eggs - saviour of Humanity

[img] [/img]

Are they^^ all Noddy Holder ?

I'm the dregs of humanity.

yes, but what class of dregs?

[quote=footflaps ]

I'm the dregs of humanity.

Are they^^ all Noddy Holder ?

Only Jon Pertwee

'I notice you drive a Corolla, why'?

did you actually say that in casual conversation? seems a very odd thing to ask, or is that normal around your way?

(trying not to sound like a d1ck here, it just strikes me as a really strange thing to say!)

We also shop at Waitrose, because it's < 1/2 a mile from my house, I do get some odd looks rolling in with the bike and trailer though to do a weekly shop surrounded by huge posh cars, does that make me Middle Class or an intruder?

I do the opposite. I like to project an image of a militant lefty, northern working class scumbag who exists purely on a diet of Greggs, and drives a nackered Golf

In reality my name is actually Lady Levinia Crumpton Smythe, I own half of Cheshire, give tens of thousands to the Tories every year, to aid them in keeping you disgusting proles in your place, and don't actually own one of those frightful mountain bicycle things, but I do have a selection of thoroughbred horses

amedias - Member

'I notice you drive a Corolla, why'?

did you actually say that in casual conversation? seems a very odd thing to ask, or is that normal around your way?

(trying not to sound like a d1ck here, it just strikes me as a really strange thing to say!)

Imagine it in a Partridge type voice and it's fine 😉

WTF is middle class anyway

I own half of Cheshire

...it's the shite half though 😉

Yes, folks who talk about their rich friends are very strange...

[url= http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/business/living-near-a-waitrose-makes-you-a-12-per-cent-better-person-2015040397045 ]A good rule of thumb to gauge people by[/url]

'I notice you drive a Corolla, why'?

did you actually say that in casual conversation? seems a very odd thing to ask, or is that normal around your way?

(trying not to sound like a d1ck here, it just strikes me as a really strange thing to say!)

Pledase consider who was asking the question. Then you have your explanation.

(My view is that Brits are scared of "why" quesitons, as they go direct to belief. Really what Hora was saying was: "My assessment of your job suggests you earn this much, which would definitely mean you could afford to buy a car costing more than the one I see you driving. Why, in spite of your obvious earning levels, aren't you conforming to the naitonal requirement to drive an expensive white Audi?")

I'm the dregs of humanity

You're Scottish, it's implicit.

**Runs**

Ignoring the irony in cycnic-al's post for a moment. I think it is amazing how class obsessed we Brits remain. Both inverse & standard snobbery are clearly alive and well in Britain in a way they are not in other countries.

A course full of Hora's - there's a thought. Maybe a Corolla is the collective noun for a bunch of Horas?

I'm not sure apart from the New Money brigade if anyone really cares about class divide? I feel a pang of envy when a mate buys a fancy new bike or car, but I don't feel that I've been bested or that I need to compete. I just like nice cars/bikes and wish I had one of whatever they've bought.

I remember years ago seeing a thread on pistonheads asking for advice on whether a bloke should put his personal number plate on his brand new car or wait for the next batch of new registrations to come out and then change it - his thinking being he wanted everyone to know it was a 'new' new car. That's a special kind of dickhead. Sadly I'm willing to bet he's not the only one to have thought that....

I'm not sure apart from the New Money brigade if anyone really cares about class divide? I feel a pang of envy when a mate buys a fancy new bike or car, but I don't feel that I've been bested or that I need to compete. I just like nice cars/bikes and wish I had one of whatever they've bought.

I agree with that. I know a few who genuinely do compare themselves To others, but for most it's just an appreciation of nice stuff.

You're Scottish, [s]it's implicit. [/s] you have dicks for neighbours

FTFY 😀

We have personalised numberplate angst.

Father in law bought a car, many years ago, which has Mrs S's name in the plate.
Transferred it from car to car, then left it to her when he died.
It was a lovely thing to do, so they are on her car.

So, if someone could do me a small sticker we can leave in the window, explaining the situation, that'd be great.

It has, however, made me more tolerant to those who may have, by chance or misfortune, had personalised plates thrust upon them.

Rusty Spanner, one of my neighbours had a brand new Audi TT and he left his private reg off for 6 months so every one could see it was a new car. Seriously!

Tesco and Asda truly are full of the dregs of humanity!

It makes shopping a far more interesting experience.

Booths on a Sunday afternoon however....Makes my skin itch.

[quote> http://overheard.liketodiscover.com/ten-of-the-best-overheard-in-waitrose-comments-ever/

We shop in Waitrose.
So do I and I'm calling bullshit on those overheard comments.

one of my neighbours had a brand new Audi TT and he left his private reg off for 6 months so every one could see it was a new car. Seriously!

And THAT'S what I'm talking about. That's not about class though is it, its about wanting to show off. Which is a bit pathetic when you think that nobody cares apart from you. All I see is someone who has lost a huge amount of money by needing to have a new car, but I can still appreciate a nice car for what it is.

I think a lot of people confuse class with this need to have things, materialism. I'm pretty sure somebody with the latest iPhone doesn't care about how wealthy they look but they do want the latest and greatest because as far as they're concerned, they NEED it. Nobody NEEDS a £600 phone, just like nobody needs a £4k MTB or a £30k car. But they justify it because they work hard and therefore feel they deserve it. 'Working a job you hate to buy sh1t you don't need' as Chuck P..Pal..Palul...that bloke from fight club wrote.

Lower class is living hand to mouth, paycheck to paycheck or possibly worse - not having enough to get by. Middle class therefore should surely be someone who lives comfortably, probably has a back up fund if needed and can afford a few nice things. Upper class is a posh seat on a Virgin flight....HA!

The programme that Prescott did on class was brill. Goes into a kind of barratt type 70's estate and knocks on this fat roasters door, asks him about class. Guy says he used to be working class, but had recently achieved a lifetime ambition of doing the Ascot racing day with top and tails, and so was now middle class.

The look on Prescott's face was wicked.

He then asks what newspaper he reads, 'Daily Mail' he says, proud as punch....

I find judging people on how the spend their money in proportion to their house is odd. Maybe some people don't want to be tied down by a big mortgage just to have a bigger house or in a 'better' postcode? Many people have been brain washed over generations into nearly bankrupting themselves to get a big house.

Us British are a special case aren't we.... Even our mud is different to everyone elses 🙄

My brother in law is genuinely posh, several homes, beach huts, cottages dotted about the place which, crucially he doesn't rent out to the poor.

Anyway, he recalls his grandmother, when encountering someone she deemed beneath them, would say NQOCD.

[i]That's[/i] middle class.

fat roaster

😀

I think this is up there with 'hoof her in the slats'...

A common insult in the West of Scotland Finbar 😆

Both inverse & standard snobbery are clearly alive and well in Britain in a way they are not in other countries.

You must be joking. US , France, Canada, ...., all have class bullshit, it just manifests its self in slightly different ways (and sometimes not so different ways) from how it does in the UK.

[i] scotroutes - Member
I'm the dregs of humanity. [/i]

You've been promoted?!?!

[i] perchypanther - Member
You're Scottish, [s]it's implicit[/s]. you have dicks for neighbours[/i]

What? The English?

My recent experiences have lead me to consider that UK society isn't so much about class as just plain old one-upmanship. It's like we all hate each other. Or is that just the Midlands?

[i]I'm Considerably richer than yaow![/i]
[img] [/img]

[quote=flange ]And THAT'S what I'm talking about. That's not about class though is it, its about wanting to show off. Which is a bit pathetic when you think that nobody cares apart from you. All I see is someone who has lost a huge amount of money by needing to have a new car, but I can still appreciate a nice car for what it is.
I think a lot of people confuse class with this need to have things, materialism.
...
Lower class is living hand to mouth, paycheck to paycheck or possibly worse - not having enough to get by. Middle class therefore should surely be someone who lives comfortably, probably has a back up fund if needed and can afford a few nice things. Upper class is a posh seat on a Virgin flight....HA!

You appear to be contradicting yourself - I agreed with your first part, because as I said earlier class has nothing to do with money, plenty of working class people (who would self identify as working class) who have "loadsamoney"

[quote=Solo ]My recent experiences have lead me to consider that UK society isn't so much about class as just plain old one-upmanship.

You're associating with the wrong sort of people 😉

My assessment of your job suggests you earn this much, which would definitely mean you could afford to buy a car costing more than the one I see you driving.

Reminds me of when I had a job and turned up at a corporate golf day in my rusty M reg Transit - I got a few 'what the hell are you driving that for' comments...

If no one aspired to better things we'd all live in some shit heap 2-up 2-down in the north west* and shop at Asda.

Alreet, Like, Marra, Like?

*Actually it's a bijou cottage on the edge of the Lake District
**we just get nappies and wipes at asda though - honest.

[i] aracer - Member
You're associating with the wrong sort of people.[/i]

I wouldn't call it association as much as me just mashing the throttle of my huge german car, as I pass the bus stop, so as to deposit a useful layer of soot and grime on the faces of those fortunate enough to be standing there.

They're not referred to as [i]the unwashed masses[/i] for nothing so I see it as my duty to remind them of my superiority.
😆

Ah, so it's actually you who's the wrong sort of people.

[url= http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/international/ski-resort-attracting-wrong-sort-of-****s-20160120105502 ]wrong types eh ?[/url]

I often get the feeling some of the residents of this street are trying to hard; one of the houses has TWO white cars, one an Audi with personalized plates.

She just ordered one of these, in this colour. 😕

[img] [/img]

Has anyone ever seen one of those monstrosities without a private plate?

Convertible one due soon too 😐

LoCo - Member
Convertible one due soon too

Followed by a flood of complaints because the new owners will be able to hear the proles shout "****" as they drive past.

😆