What social class would you put yourself into?

nabby

So, following on from a discussion on knife crime in London, i thought I'd put up a quick poll to see if people would say what social class they think they fall into in modern Britain in 2018.

FWIW, I come from what I would term a middle class background (both parents university educated and professionals, went to a state grammar school and uni myself, live in leafy suburban London, married with two kids, etc).  Hence I'd say I'm middle class through and through.

So, where would you put yourself on this scale?


NOTE - When I typed lower class into the poll options, I meant working class, so take the lower class option as meaning working class please

Cliff

Well, social class is quite a complicated thing in England. It's not necessarily about money or education. For instance, the people at the end of my road are very wealthy. He worked in the metal markets/exchange in London, and has made a pile. But they are fiercely proud of their working class label. Middle class does usually mean well educated family and a profession of some sort--- but that does not necessarily mean money!
Upper- that's usually family roots.

The class connection to knife crime is not strong, apart from the fact that it is the inner city areas in London that are affected the most. But it is spreading.

nabby

Nice insight.

One request to everyone (not picking on Cliff), could we leave the knife crime and class discussion to the knife crime thread please?

I set this one up just to see how other forum members see social class in the context of their own lives and backgrounds. Cheers!

rancidpunk

Where I'd place myself now, or from where I started? From my social circle? Earnings? Size of my e-peen?
I generally live in a classless world, one where the money you earn or the car you drive have zero bearing on what people think of you.

I detest the whole idea of a class system, whilst being well aware of it, and that won't change while those oblivious to the real world continue to put themselves on a pedestal looking down on others.

Cliff

Right now I'd say middle class. But my parents and childhood are definitely working class .

I've voted on my situation now rather than my background.

Bl4ckGryph0n

I forgot to mention ones accent and demeanor.

In England, you can pretty much sum someone up in a minute.
We don't have to see Rees Mogg's bank balance or country pile to see where he stands on the social class scale.

blackrod

Thanks @nabby

Fascinating discussion and perceptions. I don’t see the class systems other than Royalty perhaps but that doesn’t impact anyone other than by title and whether you desire to offer your courtesy. If you don’t you won’t get your head chopped off.

When I’m meeting people, be it socially, be it during work, it simply doesn’t enter my mind. I don’t approach nor recognise people with such attributes, they are just people.

We all come from different backgrounds, upbringings, families and have our different ways and habits.

I do not see that class in this day and age relates to money, nor the way people speak or anything like that.

For myself, well how far back do you want me to go? Our family records go to 1647 on my Father’s side.

Today I’m just immigrant, and married with two children, a dog. And work pretty hard. Does that say anything about my class? Not in my opinion.

EarthRod

I would say I am working class if I was forced to categorise it in a poll. What is lower class? I would also ask why there are three middle classes then just one lower class?

nabby

Middle upper working class.

I've got the foreman's job at last.

Bl4ckGryph0n

Lower middle is like the grey area between lower and middle, and similar for upper middle wrt to middle and upper.

I could have put in underclass but didn't, and I've not gone for the new social class categories devised a couple of years back as they seem more complex to explain.

Lots of information and history here:
Social class in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia