UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Interesting...if I lived in UK I would be Established Middle Class (which I did not expect).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22000973

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

I was just going to post this.

I got Elite - and I certainly didn't expect that!

So it must be bollocks then!

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

There are three groups of people in the UK because I see where class is regarded it's merely an illusion, a state of mind, for most.

1) The elite, rich and politicians.
2) The "Have's"
3) The "Have not's"

Both 2) and 3) are suffering under 1) but apathy means no one will do what we should have done after WWII, and what the French did a bit before, drag 1) out in the streets and leave us with the two groups to become one.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Yah, me too!
I suspect it's money based :)

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

What class is Pippa:popcorn:

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Technical middle class
This is a small, distinctive and prosperous new class group.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Arse class.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Elite. But only because when I say "class" it rhymes with "arse". The fact that my current job means that I wear safety boots instead of brogues, and a hard hat instead of my navy blue stetson, didn't seem to factor :confused:

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

I appear to be Elite..........

Anyway - what the **** is 'PRECARIAT'???

#wordiveneverheardbefore

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Thought it was only me, but didn't want to speak up in case I got moved down a level.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

It seems to be purely based on:

Lots of money + home owner + savings + friend is a scientist + like opera = high level shit.

Alright money + renter + no / little savings + varied friends + gigs = one of the new made up middle ones

shit money + rent + no savings + friends are binmen + interested in playing with your balls = lower classes.

I was expecting something revolutionary.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

It's not, its purely money only. Hit over £100k, rent, no friends and never go out.

You're still Elite.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Yep. And if you earn £99k after taxes (that's what? £160k before tax?), rent a big ****-off flat in Knightsbridge and have over £1m stashed away somewhere, fraternise with CEOs, the odd dean and David Hockney, spend all your time doing arty-farty stuff and saying, "Wouldn't you simply die without Mahler", you get lumped in with Scamp. 'king hell, you're doing awright, mate.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Unbelievable from you.

Scamp; the privately educated, well-heeled, gentleman of country pursuits?

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

I'm 'Elite' as well, but considering you lot are all in there too, it's a bit of a misnomer...

I'd also like to point out that if I am 'privileged' as the survey suggests, it largely because I've worked damn hard and earned it.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Sorry. Keep forgetting those facts. Must be coz I've met you...

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Elite apparently.

Class used to be defined by your social circle and or family, for example some of the aristocracy are poor as church mice but would still be classed as upper class. Now this seems to be entirely weighted on how much you earn. With social Standing and cultural activities being largely secondary. So now a middle class person with a wide range of cultural interests and friends who no longer has an income or savings / house moves down through the classes.

I would be interested to know what the movements within these classifications have been if we apply them historically. i.e. how many middle class people have become precariats since the economy went to shizzle, and more noteably how many people have become upwardly mobile? I think that might be quite telling.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

There is a much longer survey if anyone can be bothered to take it.

https://ssl.bbc.co.uk/labuk/experiments/class/

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Elite too, its bollocks. I ticked rented house, less that 10k savings and I even know a lorry driver...........(though I wouldn't socialise with the peasant)

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

I agree

Im not going to even open the link because i know im working class and im damn proud of it.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Interesting comment...I'm sure if I made the comment that I was middle/upper class and proud, the comments would be quite derogatory.

I've nothing against any 'class' and it does not bother me which one I am perceived as fitting into, but why would you be proud of being in any particular class?

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Who cares eh? You are what you are...

I'm definitely from a middle class background, but it's kind of stupid because I was brought up with a single mum, parents split when they went bankrupt, went to a comprehensive when we couldn't afford private school anymore and didn't go to uni.

Doesn't sound so middle class, but I can tell a different story to make it sound very different.

The key thing is, before they split and the business went pop, Mummy and Daddy Scamp were very well off and well to do. Mummy never lost that attitude, even when we had very little she maintained absolute decorum and we sailed through as if we were much better than we technically were, now she's back to classic middle class financial status, she's like a pig in shit.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

It's a tough one, if you've never been taught / told off then you'll probably not know.

I hold my cutlery properly, I know that for sure. I definitely always hold both too. That was a stern look as first warning for a failure to comply.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

It's perfectly possible for people to educate themselves. :nod:

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Of course, but I've got mates who I know have been brought up well but will literally rest their chin at plates edge and use the fork as a rake.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Sounds like an episode of The Inbetweeners.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

There's no such thing as social class in Britain today, if we're using the old definitions of class. The dynamics of the modern economy and political system is fundamentally different from the previous landed, mercantilist and capitalist economic and political models that not only underpinned the old class systems but also provided a legitimate justification for it.

This obsession with class has traditionally been a British characteristic but is one that is thankfully dying out and we're probably in the last stages of it. Class loyalty and notions of classism is probably strongest among sectors of the old working classes because they see themselves being left behind in the continuing evolution of the modern British state - seemingly abandoned by the more affluent (including former working class people who've become more economically successful) and the leadership of the Labour Party who are now more closely aligned with the interest of a new breed of liberal, progressive urban voters.

But for most people we merely identify with socio-economic cultural groups rather than a 'class'. The political, social and cultural influences of each group over other groups is minimal.

That's all there is to it.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Eurgh, you're one of those.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Your result wasn't 'elite' was it? ;)

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Yeah, it was.

I'm decently paid and own a property in London worth more than £500k (and we know what that means by London standards not to mention my mortgage). I imagine the property alone put me in the elite category even though I hardly feel 'elite'.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...-about-welfare is surely a more relevant discussion than how much money we all earn or don't?

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Yes, It means you are average to below average, not Elite.

Greater London
Average house price £445,651
Detached £751,184
Semi-detached £459,182
Terrace £477,449
Flat £394,336

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Scamp, I'm with you- technical middle class.

I wonder what everyone strives to be? My parents have always wanted better for me than they had, which I think is what every parent wants, and them being working class I guess I've done as they wished.

Not forgetting your roots is the key though. In my head middle class is not a flattering pigeon hole to be in and if I behaved above my station my parents and friends would ground me in a nanosecond. For me middle class describes someone who thinks they are better than they are, has a rod stuffed up their arse and is a bit pouncy or perhaps that is just my experience of people whom I would class in that category. Upper class, well don't even get me started. In reality I know some pretty posh types through to proper working class and at the end of the day it doesn't matter where they come from or what they do as long as they are genuine and nice people. Proper posh people I do struggle with though.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Me to - a scam - they will next ask for money for a certificate.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Your reading comprehensive isn't very good, is it?

If you'd bothered to take the survey you'd notice that the highest value property ownership category you could tick is £500k+

I merely implied that it doesn't factor in the huge disparity in property prices in the UK and that £500,000 in London doesn't mean anything. Yet if you ticked this box it probably goes a long way in placing you in the elite category.

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

You can't take the survey, you don't live in the uk

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

I am not sure what reading has to do with it at all :confused:

Do you want salt and vinegar for your chips?

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Chippy working class?

I'm middle class, always have been and I am not the kind of person you describe. I can be a frightful snob though! :lol:

What is this nonsense about 'ideas above your station'? That's a way of trying to keep people down and not wanting them to have ambition and achieve something. People often say that to others as they are scared about them getting on and leaving them behind. To many, the facts you are a designer, earn a good living and have ambition will define you as middle class.

Of course, the rational answer to all of it is so effing what? Shouldn't we all strive to be decent people and successful in whatever way we want?

Re: UK 'now has seven social classes'
 

Absolutely. Ambitionless people aren't worth knowing.

The fact we are all overseas shows a good level of ambition and a commitment to bettering yourself, your potential, your earnings and your opportunities.

Someone famous once said something like; 'a life without ambition is a life not worth living'. I think. Sod it, I'll claim it. - Scamp 2013.