Safe Speed Forums

I got the wrong end of the stick somewhat, and I couldn't be bothered to "right" it, so I just deleted it.

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Paul Smith: a legend.

"The freedom provided by the motor vehicle is not universally applauded, however: there are those who resent the loss of state control over individual choice that the car represents. Such people rarely admit their prejudices openly; instead, they make false or exaggerated claims about the adverse effects of road transport in order to justify calls for higher taxation or restrictions on mobility." (Conservative Way Forward: Stop The War Against Drivers)

Civil,

I had meant to have a more lighthearted and personal discussion, but if you insist, here is my understanding of the three main classes in the UK.

1. Upper class.

No need to work, can live entirely on inherited wealth (preferably three generation landed), privately educated of course and part of the known set, mentioned in the relevant literature. Clipped pronunciation of received English.

2. Middle class.

Do need to work but have some inherited wealth, usually dwelling houses and money investments. Professional and certain business people included, private education or just possibly old grammar, preferably no regional accent.

3. Working class.

Entirely dependent on work, usually manual or service industry. Little or no inherited wealth, may be a houseowner but includes those living in socially subsidised housing and those without work. Usually a regional accent.

Some people suggest that there is a new underclass in the UK which is made up of working class people without work.

That's about it, but it's just my own view of course. The indicators that have popped up on this thread can be referred to the above if it helps to clarify.

C.

PS - I would not presume to say what class another perosn is in without meeting them, but some of the indicators can show up in a forum debate. I have been quite open about my own class predicament, which is a painful mix of upper class and working class, in the genes, as it were.

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More rules and regulations please! (Not)

toltec,

The term 'prior to' is not one I would expect to hear down at the Working men's club.

Yes, 'professional class' is a good core to the middle classes, and gives a sharper focus. I wouldn't expect a member of the professional class to be eating fish and chips in the village square, washed down with a bottle of white lightning, unless (like me) it was a case of teenage rebellion.

Indeed, my first wife was posh totty and she would never allow me to eat chips in the street at all. Needless to say, the marriage foundered.

C.

BTW, the fact that you discussed this in 3d is heartwarming. Starting lively debates online is one of my great pleasures in life, now that I am no longer in the classroom or lecture theatre.

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More rules and regulations please! (Not)

I bet you wear a baseball cap backwards toltec



I bet you wear a G-String which pokes above your jeans Sixy


I think music could have some bearing on class. I like heavy metal and classical. I've never been to a ballet but I know what high C is.

I have friends who are long term unemployed and other friends who mix with the rich and famous.

One behaves with decorum when one is with the upper class and when I'm wiv me muckers it's "awe's it gowin mate?"



Actually, I have something which may be of interest to anyone interested in class. I have no personal experience of this but my one friend said of Australia that what she loved most about them is the lack of class. There isn't any! I've heard this from quite a few people in fact.

She once recounted spending a lovely evening with a group only to find out later that the wealthiest person there, (multi-millionaire from a well-to-do family), was a scruffy looking guy in shorts and a vest supping a few beers.

You can't tell from appearance or diction.

Figure that one out...

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Sixy,

I have just seen your cool photo in the rogues gallery.

C.

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More rules and regulations please! (Not)

Hmm... I'm not too sure how to respond to that...

Do you often think about women's underware Tone?

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

Only when they start to chaff me

Just havin' a bit of a laff with people's replies, no offence or disrespect meant Sixy.

I remember the first time I saw such an image though I was in Amsterdam, on a canal trip, and as I looked up there were several girls sitting on the bridge above us all with their builders butt-cheeks on show and a knicker line at least two inches above their jeans.

The latest one where guys have their jeans pulled half way down their legs revealing underpants makes me laugh. Looks like they have pooped themselves. How do they stay up BTW? And what's with the dorky walk?

Can't see Prince Harry doing that.

Funny thing - fashion. I bet if George Clooney walked around with a bone through his nose we'd soon see it on our streets.

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Oh come on, Tone, you'll have to try harder than that to offend me!!

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

I think you're really spindrift's wife.

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Mods, that comment is WELL offside even though it may be in jest. Final Warning here methinks

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Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.

You,ve seen me driving the 'prezza

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Driving fast is for a particular time and place, I can do it I just only do it occasionally because I am a gentleman.
- James May

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

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Paul Smith: a legend.

"The freedom provided by the motor vehicle is not universally applauded, however: there are those who resent the loss of state control over individual choice that the car represents. Such people rarely admit their prejudices openly; instead, they make false or exaggerated claims about the adverse effects of road transport in order to justify calls for higher taxation or restrictions on mobility." (Conservative Way Forward: Stop The War Against Drivers)

i guess we're all working class then.

does anyone here not have to work for living? I even send my wife out for heaven's sake.

does anyone find the g-string peeking over jeans thing attractive? dirty pikey bints

I can assure you that virtually all the "middle classes" up here in the North (including me) speak with a distinct regional accent, and many will have attended State comprehensive schools.

I own my house outright, have a university degree and a professional qualification, have paid higher rate tax in the past (by virtue of having had a company car) and have over a thousand books in my house, so I suppose I must be middle class. But I still eat food from McDonalds and the local chippy and drink mild in the local pub...

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Peter,

My definition was quite formal, although I think 'preferably no regional accent' gives some leeway.

Re your personal circumstances and preferences, the things you mention are the same as me (except no company car and I was grammar). I do have a mild regional accent (sound like Alan Bennet) but it has not served me well here in the South of England. There have been quite a few snobbish responses to my accent. At university one acquaintance said "You must have been very poor." based on the Yorkshire twang alone.

It's gobsmacking how many stereotypes linger in this country.

Oddly enough, accent seems to come before race. An Asian person with received pronunciation would trump a Brit with a Yorkshire accent. I think it is because the received pronunciation is clear evidence of wealth and private education.

This is a fascinating, but quite disturbing, subject IMHO.

C.

PS - If there was one thing I could have changed about myself it would be the Yorkshire accent. I wasn't even born there, and neither of my parents were from Yorkshire. They were just fugitives who ended up there.

Unfortunately, trying to mask a regional accent is even worse than having one, as Russell Harty proved so conclusively.

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More rules and regulations please! (Not)

A Sean Bean accent seems to go down well, not that mine is. News reporters accents are often quite noticeable now and in fact appear actively encouraged (though the weather people are often very weird and artificial). Perhaps some business people are still snobbish about it, even with an accent good diction, grammar and vocabulary should really be more important. Though mine are slipping somewhat since I started working at a college.



Not everyone can be lucky

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Driving fast is for a particular time and place, I can do it I just only do it occasionally because I am a gentleman.
- James May

There's nowt wrong with a Yorkshire accent!

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

Tha's reet thier lass

I think just about all that is left of my accent is the correct pronunciation of bath and castle though

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Driving fast is for a particular time and place, I can do it I just only do it occasionally because I am a gentleman.
- James May

Not just their accents!