Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
Mar 4th 2008, 8:05 pm
#31
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Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
I often get the impression that a lot of Australians find wealth a relatively new concept and that they are completely unable to handle it - rather like young English premiership footballers who, having become rich overnight, splash their cash on sports cars, Range Rovers, huge plasmas, oversized mansions etc.
Mar 4th 2008, 8:06 pm
#32
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Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
I personally get the impression that a lot of Brits find wealth a relatively new concept and that they are completely unable to handle it. How many newly arrived poms think they've become rich overnight, splash their cash on 4WDs, huge plasmas, oversized mansions, big boats etc. I could name quite a few posters on this forum - some of whom then whinge because they have to pay for child care or a little more on lettuce than they're used to.
Australians are no different to the average Brit. Some spend every cent they've got and some don't. I would venture to say that a lot more Australians will re-mortgage their house to release equity in order to buy an investment property (so all you new migrants have somewhere to live when you arrive) than release equity to blow it on plasmas and boats.
Australians are no different to the average Brit. Some spend every cent they've got and some don't. I would venture to say that a lot more Australians will re-mortgage their house to release equity in order to buy an investment property (so all you new migrants have somewhere to live when you arrive) than release equity to blow it on plasmas and boats.
Mar 4th 2008, 8:50 pm
#33
Has left the building
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,079
Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
"Middle-class poor" aptly describes a lot of Singaporeans. It's all about appearances, and it's not unheard of for people to live in public housing so they can drive a Mercedes, on which they will have long, huge loans similar to mortgages. Being seen to be prosperous is very important. This is what they aspire to:
Singapore's 5 C's
* Cash
* Car
* Condo
* Credit Card
* Country Club
(Career maybe mentioned as a 6th)
tic tac is right - they're definitely fur coat and no knickers types.
Singapore's 5 C's
* Cash
* Car
* Condo
* Credit Card
* Country Club
(Career maybe mentioned as a 6th)
tic tac is right - they're definitely fur coat and no knickers types.
Mar 4th 2008, 9:18 pm
#35
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Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
Just like to add - (kids in bed) that we can't pick on people for owning plasmas -after all you can barely buy a CRT now. Plasmas are the new microwave - 2 a penny.
So it's people that buy a ***** OFF plasma AND an *exy* surround system that we should direct our ire at.
So it's people that buy a ***** OFF plasma AND an *exy* surround system that we should direct our ire at.
Mar 4th 2008, 9:19 pm
#36
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Posts: 9,397
Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
>>Australians are no different to the average Brit. Some spend every cent they've got and some don't. I would venture to say that a lot more Australians will re-mortgage their house to release equity in order to buy an investment property (so all you new migrants have somewhere to live when you arrive) than release equity to blow it on plasmas and boats.<<
When their "investment" properties are going up in notional value they are only too happy to tell us all how financially astute they are.
Now that many are unable to service their mortgages and other outgoings they don't seem so chipper. Home, roost, chickens.....
When their "investment" properties are going up in notional value they are only too happy to tell us all how financially astute they are.
Now that many are unable to service their mortgages and other outgoings they don't seem so chipper. Home, roost, chickens.....
Mar 4th 2008, 9:23 pm
#37
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Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
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Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
There are plenty of people with bigger portfolios who have been in the game awhile and are more secure. The professionals not Mum and Pop.
Mar 4th 2008, 11:11 pm
#39
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Location: Carramar, Perth, WA
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Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
"Keeping up with the Joneses" is a popular catchphrase in many parts of the English-speaking world. It refers to the desire to be seen as being as good as one's neighbours or contemporaries using the comparative benchmarks of social caste or the accumulation of material goods. To fail to "keep up with the Joneses" is perceived as demonstrating socio-economic or cultural inferiority.
According to The Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson, the origin of this phrase is rooted in the popular comic strip of the same name created by cartoonist Arthur R. "Pop" Momand. The strip debuted in 1913, ran in American newspapers for 28 years, and eventually was adapted into books, films, and musical comedies. The "Joneses" of the title were neighbors of the strip's main characters, and were spoken of but never actually seen in person.
It is possible that Momand named them in reference to George Frederic and Lucretia Stevens Rhinelander Jones, parents of novelist Edith Wharton.[citation needed] However, it is most likely that this phrase derives its meaning from Pembroke Jones, shipping and railway industrialist of the early twentieth century. Jones, of Wilmington, North Carolina, was a leader in both New York and Newport social circles well known for hosting lavish parties.
Mar 5th 2008, 10:40 am
#40
(It's not my real name)
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Ilukapool. WA
Posts: 12,467
Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
It is possible that Momand named them in reference to George Frederic and Lucretia Stevens Rhinelander Jones, parents of novelist Edith Wharton.[citation needed] However, it is most likely that this phrase derives its meaning from Pembroke Jones, shipping and railway industrialist of the early twentieth century. Jones, of Wilmington, North Carolina, was a leader in both New York and Newport social circles well known for hosting lavish parties.
Mar 5th 2008, 9:14 pm
#41
Where traffic lights rule
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Brighton QLD
Posts: 2,460
Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
I think the owner of ABC child care might be in this category
Mar 5th 2008, 9:17 pm
#43
Where traffic lights rule
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Brighton QLD
Posts: 2,460
Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
I think it's the younger folks who have never know a recession so have only know rising stocks and house prices.
Add to that all the current affair programs on about all the people who have made millions by buying a few houses with other peoples money.
Add to that all the current affair programs on about all the people who have made millions by buying a few houses with other peoples money.
Mar 5th 2008, 9:42 pm
#45
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 413
Re: Middle-Class Poor - What does it mean?
Probably.
Brings to mind a Willie Rushton one liner in a quiz.Question was ,which was meatloaf's biggest selling album.The answer was given.
Willie then piped up " is he the artist formerly known as mince".
Cracked me up for hours.
Brings to mind a Willie Rushton one liner in a quiz.Question was ,which was meatloaf's biggest selling album.The answer was given.
Willie then piped up " is he the artist formerly known as mince".
Cracked me up for hours.
