The cycle chat guide to being middle class

[Flick of the Elbow]

I know some people who are just effortlessly middle class. They've been born to it, they've been brought up and educated in it, they know all the right cultural references and have all the right tastes. Anyone hoping to join their ranks, no matter how much wealth they acquire, has either got to commit to a heavy dose of cultural catch-up, or to be very good at bluffing.

 

[NorthernDave]

Having your bacon sandwich served on artisan ciabatta instead of white sliced...

 

[Ian H]

The Great Gatsby?

No. Think of notorious Tory politicians.

 

[Ian H]

Alan Clarke?

Yup... What was said about whom?

 

[screenman]

Is there still 3 classes?

 

[User169]

[QUOTE 4721622, member: 259"]Thread resurrection time - I've just bought a pair of Birkenstocks!

Now the only dilemma is what colour socks to wear with them...[/QUOTE]

Known as "German lesbian shoes" in our house. I blame the parents

 

[screenman]

It's Are the still three classes you oik.

Are you sure?

 

[Ian H]

Heseltine?

Yup. Alan Clarke said that he looked like the kind of person who'd had to buy his own furniture. Old money looking down on new money.

 

[macp]

Watching countryfile ?

 

[iateyoubutler]

I`m not middle class. There is a house joined to mine, I don`t have a log burner in every room, I listen to local radio, not radio 4, I hate teacakes, I hate coffee, I have nothing with Castelli written on it, I don`t have a bike lined utility room, I don`t live in a converted barn...........and also what do ALL other cyclists smell of? What washing detergent is it? Everybody who I ever meet, anywhere, always smells the same, and it isn`t a slight smell, it`s usually so strong that it stings my eyes!! What the hell is it??

PS, had a few glasses of wine and thought this reply was funny...............................................

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

After much observation of the middle classes, I've concluded that to be accepted as one of them you need a good working knowledge of
French, Italian, and Latin
Who wrote what, who painted what, who composed what
Synopses of the most commonly performed plays and operas
A good repertoire of quotes from plays to drop into your conversation
A carefully curated wardrobe and the ability to unerringly match the right outfit for the occasion
The ability to discern good wine and champagne and to know with what dishes to pair it
A comprehensive palate, with very specific preferences to how you like each dish prepared
A good working knowledge of the best London shops, hotels and restaurants, even if you live in Scotland
Above all, an unshakable self confidence. Never hesitate to summon a waiter to send something back. Be comfortable with using a phrase such as 'Shall we try that again ?'

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

The lifestyle supplements of the weekend papers will tell you that you can become middle class simply by buying stuff, specifically the stuff being marketed through the adverts that they carry. But this is just a ploy. The only adverts that really influence middle class status are the ones for schools.

 

[srw]

After much observation of the middle classes, I've concluded that to be accepted as one of them you need a good working knowledge of
French, Italian, and Latin
Who wrote what, who painted what, who composed what
Synopses of the most commonly performed plays and operas
A good repertoire of quotes from plays to drop into your conversation
A carefully curated wardrobe and the ability to unerringly match the right outfit for the occasion
The ability to discern good wine and champagne and to know with what dishes to pair it
A comprehensive palate, with very specific preferences to how you like each dish prepared
A good working knowledge of the best London shops, hotels and restaurants, even if you live in Scotland
Above all, an unshakable self confidence. Never hesitate to summon a waiter to send something back. Be comfortable with using a phrase such as 'Shall we try that again ?'

No, that's the nobber subclass of the middle class. It's small, influential and much less important than it thinks it is.

 

[nickyboy]

I interact with a lot of what you would call "middle class". But I'm not one of them, never have been and never will be.

I may have the trappings of middle class-dom but that's not what defines it. You're born and brought up in it. Raised in a middle class environment....you're gonna be middle class regardless of how successful you may become. Equally, raised in a working class environment and you'll never be middle class

But it doesn't matter. These days it doesn't matter what social strata you occupy, it's what you can do.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

I interact with a lot of what you would call "middle class". But I'm not one of them, never have been and never will be.

I may have the trappings of middle class-dom but that's not what defines it. You're born and brought up in it. Raised in a middle class environment....you're gonna be middle class regardless of how successful you may become. Equally, raised in a working class environment and you'll never be middle class

But it doesn't matter. These days it doesn't matter what social strata you occupy, it's what you can do.

I was agreeing with you wholeheartedly until your last para. Not convinced of that one, sadly.