Gransnet forums

Chat

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

(11 Posts)
Cossy Fri 22-May-26 14:30:48

I’ve heard the word “class” used in a few threads now.

What does “class” mean to you?

It’s is the old “feudal system” with the Landowners as Upper Class, with Aristocracy above, then the King/Queen and almost every one else being “working class”

Is the Sociological defined explanation, with background and profession defining one’s “class”.

Is it defined by newer generations (that my DF use to call “Nuevo Riche”,) and dependent on wealth.

Is it a description of one’s “taste” ie “classy”.

Or, do you, like me, simply dismiss our entire class system now as “old fashioned” “meaningless” and just a tad “snobby”? grin

Cabbie21 Fri 22-May-26 14:47:04

I tend to dismiss notions of class and think we are all equal- that is until I come across people who are very different from most of us, eg those whose unfortunate circumstances have led to them being unable to have a roof over their head, or have gone off the rails in some way, and at the other extreme, those whose lifestyle is beyond way anything most of us can ever envisage.
This boils down to money, I suppose, though there are other factors.

Dylis Fri 22-May-26 14:58:41

Real class has nothing to do with money. I have first hand knowledge of the appalling lack of class shown by extremely wealthy people. Snobbery and money (in many cases) go hand in hand.
People with real class display excellent manners and kindness towards their fellow human beings. No matter who they are or where they live.

Fallingstar Fri 22-May-26 15:20:31

I don’t think of class but I do think how unfair life can be depending upon where you are born, into which circumstances etc. And am afraid some of the uber rich can be incredibly tacky and lacking in social graces, so hardly classy, and I include Trump in that, the whole gold toilet debacle.

AGAA4 Fri 22-May-26 15:38:03

I think the class system has mostly fallen away now and a good thing too. Nobody is better than anyone else at birth only perhaps better off.
The divisions are mostly through wealth or lack of it so there are the super rich, the very well off, those who are comfortable and then those who struggle.
The old class system was far too divisive.

M0nica Fri 22-May-26 15:39:53

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

Shel1951 Fri 22-May-26 15:42:34

Nothing really, and the only time I hear the word class is when the youngsters say it to mean the r

Gracey Fri 22-May-26 15:45:29

I agree with Dylis. I think manners, decency and kindness are good indicators of real class.
I have mixed with aristocracy - relatives who have married into it - and I found them dismissive. Sadly my accent didn't cut it. Flat vowel sounds to them denoted lack of class and education, even though I was better qualified than any of them. Not much kindness on display, despite the plummy accents.

I suppose we are all 'victims' of our upbringing and I think instinctively, looking in from the outside we can home in on people we'd probably get along with, and people we might give a wide berth. Having not long returned from holiday I'll admit to thinking, whilst waiting in the queue to board the plane home, " I do hope they're not sitting anywhere near us. "

I like to feel comfortable with people and that's probably a measure of my own comfort zone, rather than class. We all have our own standards and recognise them in others.

Like finds like, I suppose, so there are always going to be, if not social divides, then groups of people comfortable with each other. Those people can have mixed backgrounds but maybe similar sensibilities?

Shel1951 Fri 22-May-26 15:46:12

Nothing really, except when the youngsters say its class meaning they really like it

MT62 Fri 22-May-26 15:51:40

I think it’s how you come across. You can have people with money who have the morals of an alley cat.
I think there is a lot of classy grans on here that write very eloquently.

keepingquiet Fri 22-May-26 15:59:07

My DD is clearly middle class in that they have a mortgage on a very nice property in a good area in the south west of England. Both parents have careers, not jobs and their children go to good (though not private) schools. They can afford holidays and social activities including premier league season tickets, though they fall short of driving fancy cars.
My DS cannot afford to rent let alone get a mortgage, we live in an area where there is little aspiration and most people earn a little of minimum wage if indeed they are earning at all. He works all hours in his own business and drives a van that is always falling to bits but he cannot afford to replace.
The class difference in my children is stark and neither one can relate to the otherslife-style.
My DD does not understand that I can't afford the necessary new kitchen and bathroom, that I am now saving up for from my pension.
I think most people who think class is dead do not live near me in the still deprived areas of the north of England.
Those who think class is the way you treat people have this word confused with manners.
The difference in manners between the customers in my local Tesco and that of the customers in my DD's local Waitrose will tell you that they are not classy at all by that measurement. We avoid going there now due to the rampant rudeness of most of the customers, most of whom are elderly!