Things Wrong with the Middle Classes, Part 463

[dotinthesky]

Kevin went to our local fancy schmancy cafe yesterday morning, called Elbows. He was trying to get away from distractions at home and found himself surrounded by mummies and screaming toddlers. The mother nearest to him asked the waitress:

"Can I have a little glass of milk?"

"Do you mean a babyccino?"

"Yes, a babyccino."

Later, another mother arrived and this time her own toddler ordered a babyccino.

Comments

[nisaba.livejournal.com]

Because she's contradictory, sneering, and a snob. She spend pages on how ties tell the difference in social class, yet repeatedly bleats that money is no indicator. Then contradicts her own argument by using examples in which money clearly is an indicator. Every example where she talks about "typical" class behaviour, if they involve objects/schooling/homes/etc, the upper class ones are expensive and the working class ones are not.

She bleats, repeatedly, that money is no indicator to class, I suspect because, as an academic, and the daughter of one, her family isn't loaded. But she wants to consider herself high up there. Fine, I agree money is not THE definining attribute, but I'll warrant money will give you a more accurate prediction than ties any day of the week.

The book's purpose should have been an interesting overview on English social behaviour, and some of it was. But it's ruined by the constant focus on social class, as far as I can tell used as a vehicle for her to air her own class prejudices and to look down upon those she considers below her. The phrase "chattering classes" nearly made me throw the book through a wall.

I couldn't finish the last few pages, because the air of smugness and grandeur of her own position was growing so rapidly that I wasn't sure I'd survive the apopolectic fit that would have ensued.

Um, in my own humble opinion, obviously ;)

[iejw.livejournal.com]

You just listed all the reasons why I loved it!

I read it on the tube two or three pages at a time over quite a protracted period, so think I missed the inconsistencies... But I'm happy to take your word for it! I did think it a little heavy on class difference though - but as that's something that fascinates me I wasn't too sorry about it...

I still think it's a great introduction to anyone struggling to understand the English psyche, though I do think that only the English can ever truly understand the English...