Anyone watching / watched “A very British scandal”?

We're talking about the aristocracy as it was though. Nowadays they don't get all the forelock tugging and respect that they got a couple of generations ago. And, as you said, most of the large manors and castles have either been handed over to the national Trust or are run as businesses that have to pay their way.

But it's not that long ago since an upstairs downstairs system was a reality in the UK, with both classes assuming the aristocracy were a superior form of life and there to be served merely by virtue of the family they were born into.

We were shown round a local stately home by a nice friendly rather homely little lady. It turn out that she was the Countess. Couldn't have been more down to earth. Not nice having to show strangers round your home for the money to maintain it.

I cannot remember anyone in my family ever assuming the aristocracy were a superior form of life.. They were judged by same standards as anyone else.

I remain, what I have always been, determinedly classless.

I'm not talking about you though Monica. I'm talking about the whole system where some were born to live in luxury and comfort, and others were born to sleep in basements and get up at 5 in the morning to clean out grates etc in order to ensure the comfort of the upper classes.

Aveline

We were shown round a local stately home by a nice friendly rather homely little lady. It turn out that she was the Countess. Couldn't have been more down to earth. Not nice having to show strangers round your home for the money to maintain it.

We were shown round somewhere by the owner too, she was very friendly. I think it had also been used in filming as well which paid for the much-needed new roof.

But it's not that long ago since an upstairs downstairs system was a reality in the UK, with both classes assuming the aristocracy were a superior form of life and there to be served merely by virtue of the family they were born into.

That was generally the case, Beswitched but probably longer ago than that, I'm thinking pre 1939.

Beswitched

I'm not talking about you though Monica. I'm talking about the whole system where some were born to live in luxury and comfort, and others were born to sleep in basements and get up at 5 in the morning to clean out grates etc in order to ensure the comfort of the upper classes.

There were those who did very responsible jobs too, nannies (no cleaning or household duties for them!), farm and estate managers, gamekeepers etc. Often there was mutual respect between employee and employer.

We may like to regard ourselves as classless, but in this country, aided by our system, it is virtually impossible even as times change. Other people will decide what you are, whatever you think yourself.
“It is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman hate or despise him”
George Bernard Shaw

Why so much of ‘class’, what of Ironwork masters, Coal Mine
owners, I can remember farm labourers who lived in tied houses, if they didn’t jump when told to they were homeless,
farm labourers would stand in a chosen place in a town twice a year and farmers would look them over as they would cattle.

I was amused by the V sign for sexual conquest - open legs. These days for me it would have to be an X.

hollysteers that applies in any country whether they have a 'class' system or not.

My grandfather was a docker. They were day labourers and justled to be chosen. if not chosen they went unpaid.

This has nothing to do with class, it has to do with the power - the power of the employer over the employee at a time when there was no such thing as the welfare state.

Why in this country we feel we need to talk up the same power structure that exists in almost all countries by talking about a class sytem I do not know. The only thing that matters is money, generally the more you have the more power you have over those with less, whether that is earning £30,000 when others only have £20,000. Even if you have £20 million you are in the power of the person with £200 million.

Boz

I was amused by the V sign for sexual conquest - open legs. These days for me it would have to be an X.

You have described the Marxian view of class, M0nica - whereby class is determined by relationship to the means of production, and the consequent power that the bourgeoisie have over the proletariat.

Doodledog

Boz

I was amused by the V sign for sexual conquest - open legs. These days for me it would have to be an X.

I thought X meant a snog ?

You do not see the V sign used very much these days, but it was the classic insult sign before, I think, the 1990s. Certainly the standard insult gesture in the 1960s and 70s and the meaning was obvious.

it seems to have been replaced by the raised finger gesture and the constant use of the word f*ck, which means the same thing.

It raises an interesting question, why are all common insults and gestures like this are related to men having their way with women, or wanting to?

That always annoyed me M0nica

I have enjoyed A very British Scandal, first series about Jeremy Thorpe and second series about The Duchess of Argyle. Both excellent, great acting and an insight into these prominent peoples private lies. The incredible front they have to put on for the public. I wonder what is being hidden in the present times. I'm afraid I wont be around in the distant future to find out,

Started watching last night on catch up. Very good so far!