What does middle class mean to you?

That probably rules out John Prescott, then!

Not particularly caring what class people think you are.

I wonder how many things on the Nancy Mitford "U and non U" list the supposed definitive upper class guide would apply to the middle classes today. Possibly John Prescott would know!

The middle classes go to the lavatory and sit on the sofa in the living room watching a small square television (or they don't have a television at all). Their children are allowed 20p pocket money a week but only so long as they help with the household chores.

When I was a child, my mother's measure of class was how clean your house was.

Common as muck: pigsty.

Working class: spotless, although everything was handed down or second hand. The true measure was how clean were your skirting boards.

Middle class: big house but 'not very spicy' - which apparently meant dirty (related to smell? - I have no idea) Of course they may have had cleaners - she was one herself at the age of 14, but that didn't count.

Upper class: I don't think the upper class entered her consciousness, apart from the King or Queen.

Is there any connection between wealth and social class? I remember adverts for The Distressed Gentlefolks charity and I always wondered how they knew you were a 'gentlefolk'. I was the first person in my family to have higher education and a professional career so I suppose I could be called 'First generation middle class'. Apart from owning my flat outright and being able to travel, I no longer have any of the trappings of the middle class as I don't have room in my tiny corner kitchen for any gadgets. I am looking forward to living in NZ, which really does seem to be a classless society, except for the Maoris , who seem to be disadvantaged in several ways.

Well off enough to subsidise the lower classes but not as adept as the upper classes at avoiding tax!
The words 'lower' and upper' used in a totally non-judgemental way, I hope you all understand

PS: When I was at Infants' and Junior Schools, We middle boys wore shoes, while the worker kids wore boots - usually with Blakeys attached that they could strike sparks from the pavement with - I was dead jealous!

One measure used to be whether or no a man's job had the chance for promotion - a bricklayer, for example, remained a bricklayer, and thus working class, while a bank clerk might rise through the ranks to become a manager, and so middle.

I can't see why my breadmaker has any effect on my social status!

Well Ana that's what he said, so it must be true!

baNANA!

John Prescott, cause he told us so!

Grown ups calling their parents Mummy and Daddy!

Professional classes. White collar workers. Cleaning ladies. Private schools. Holidays abroad in villas in Tuscany!

Dinner parties.

Households with bread makers, pasta machines, Le Creuset pans, Smeg fridge, online Waitrose and organic veg box deliveries, classical concert tickets, Pilates class, dinner parties, gap year children, piano and ballet lessons, golf club membership, villa holidays in Provence and skiing in winter, school governor parents, house ownership, gardener, cleaning lady and nanny, votes LibDem, has a dog with a human's name, shops at Aldi!!!

Candlelight suppers.

Dressing up to pick the kids up from school.

Air kisses & calling everyone darling.

Matching cars

Waitrose yes, Asda no

Sencerre yes, Cardonnay no

Bond Street yes, Oxford Street no

Isis yes, Tracy no

Benedick yes, Harley no

Gransnet yes, Facebook no

Using napkins when only the family are present.
Being on the PTA committee.