Well I don't know. There aren't any hard and fast rules or laws.
Hence my speculating that it's actually just a divisive concept fed to keep people fighting amongst themselves due to snobbery.

I've never quite understood why class is so important to some people's self-identity, or why people are judged on it.

I just figured that to my - admittedly little - mind - if one were to make distinctions, doing it on a financial assessment would be easier than by something as intangible as job type - an artist has a very manual job, but often being such is associated with being middle class, and I have never met a working plumber that's poor.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 10:47, 1 reply, 12 years ago)

Fair enough, but there does seem to be a cultural distinction,
Like you say, a plumber is rarely poor, but does he spend his money the same as a similarly earning artist or office clerk or so on?
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Mon 11 Nov 2013, 10:55, Reply)

Well what he spends his money on - that's where we get back into snobbery, isn't it?
If a plumber buys a coffee percolator and prefers a light salmon salad with a mint & pea puree and artisan bread instead of a full English, is he working class, middle class, or just in need of a good shoeing?
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 10:57, Reply)

Class is traditionally defined as working class = manual/trade work
and middle class = professional/clerical.

Since it's only a social tradition in the first place, I reckon that'll do.
( Kroney, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:01, Reply)

I Will settle with kroney on this i reckon.I
It's not that important to me either.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:03, Reply)

You're a gentleman electrician.
You should put this on your van and turn up to jobs wearing a monocle.
( Kroney, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:11, Reply)

This I really like.
"Gosh, madam - what Ceboidea installed THIS device? The parameters of its setting are barely cognisant!"
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:13, Reply)

Ah, the apostrophe. It will always betray the grammatically upwardly mobile.

( Kroney, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:16, Reply)

Gah.

( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:21, Reply)

What if your trade is as a clerical professional? Pffft.
But yes - I largely agree.

Basically I don't like to associate with anyone who gets their hands dirty for a living, as they're a bit common.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:06, Reply)

If your work is clerical professional, it isn't a trade by definition.

( Kroney, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:07, Reply)

Solicitors, lawyers - these are clerical jobs. Administrators, too.
I see your point - I'm just mocking how completely arbitrary the boundaries are.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:11, Reply)

EXCUSE ME
clerical, my fucking arse.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:13, Reply)

It's just being able to read quite well, and be good at filing.

( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:14, Reply)

it's like being a fish
the bait and the urge to rise to it are irresistible.............
( rachelswipe with a fork, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:16, Reply)

They're professions, not trades.
It's not really that arbitrary, you work with your hands, it's a trade. Though why it's been decided that trades are working class and professions are not, I don't know. It doesn't seem terribly applicable anymore as you have to sit through qualifications to check a boiler just as you have to sit through qualifications to effect a civil law suit.

Still, there it is. I'm just pointing out what the boundaries are, not commenting on their relevance.
( Kroney, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:14, Reply)

So a surgeon's a tradesman?
Or a pilot?
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:16, Reply)

You're not going to knock down any social boundaries by splitting hairs, you know.

( Kroney, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:17, Reply)

Hahaha

( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:20, Reply)

yeah
that would make you a barber. tres working class.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:32, Reply)

"Trays"

( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:35, Reply)

No, she washes hair

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:38, Reply)

He's an idiot - what kid of breakfast is that?

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:01, Reply)

Well - quite.

( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 11 Nov 2013, 11:13, Reply)