I've been generally keeping out of this one.
I guess I've been staying quiet because, in all honesty, I'm about as common as they come. I'm from an area I've seen referenced a few times in here, down in the southeast part, and am very much aware of my shortcomings.

I've been self-conscious about my background for years now, and have been doing my best to improve myself. I think I've managed to tone down my accent a bit, and have been paying attention to matters of etiquette and the like. I try to keep my bodily functions discreet and am careful of what I say, and try to avoid broad humour.

I don't think anyone would ever mistake me for being posh- at best I might hope to be thought of as middle class.

But after reading this week's QOTW, I have to admit, I'm feeling a bit low. Please, if you see someone who's at least trying to improve, have some patience. Not all of us were born knowing proper manners. Some of us are trying desperately to catch up.
(Shimrod, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 15:40, 8 replies)

Awww :(
Don't be sad. Most of the answers on here are just snobbery. I'm sure you don't wear Burberry and tracksuits and hang out on street corners shouting at people, so you're fine!
(Binary Solo loves a bit of algebra, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 15:57, closed)

True.
Usually I wear jeans, and have never thought Burberry to be attractive. I don't shout at people on the streets or anywhere else.

Usually it shows up in subtle things that I tend to miss, such as over-filling a wine glass or making a joke that's a little too crude for the company I'm in. I haven't had anyone chide me for using the wrong silverware, but then again I rarely eat in places that go beyond having separate salad and dinner forks. I'm not wealthy.

Fortunately some of the women I've been involved with have been kind enough to tell me what I'm doing wrong, so I'm learning. I have to say, though, being raised in a very working-class family has made life a little bit challenging as I've tried to climb up toward a better life. Not that I'm ashamed of my family, by any means- they're a warm and loving bunch, as are most of my old neighbors- but I am trying to get to a more comfortable existence than they have.

Some of my friends can tell when I've been home for a weekend though, as apparently my accent returns for a day or so.
(Shimrod, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 16:27, closed)

You may be lying in the gutter but your looking at the stars.
.
( girlinthehole, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 16:04, closed)

*catbacks*

( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 20:33, closed)

Tell'em
ter fook right off.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 16:09, closed)

Don't worry about it.
Nobody has to "learn" manners - just do what feels naturally right and courteous to your fellow humans. It's saying "thanks" or "ta" or "cheers" which matters, not which one you use.

If you have to learn it it's not manners, it's etiquette, and that's - to use the technical term - a steaming puddle of dogwank.
(ubergeekian, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 16:49, closed)

!
TBH I wouldn't worry about it, cos with the manners thingy, all you have to do is think about how other people feel, and you already do that! So anything else is cobblers to make you feel excluded...

And another thing.... don't tell anyone else on here, but My Mum reckoned that calling people or things "common" and using the word that way, was in itself common, so you won't ever know all of it, but then everyone else that pretends to know won't know all of it either...
(Beer Elf Thought this was like a campfire, anyhow, on, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 20:33, closed)

no one is buying that cap in hand attempt for clicks
sneaky (common) fucker

!
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 20:34, closed)