As a member of the upper middle middle classes I can't disagree. But I think when such people who know how to get what they want, think Margo Leadbetter, moved to from getting the lead in an amateur production of the Mikado to campaigning for Just Stop Oil. Once the dominate ideology, imperial, patriotic would have steered them, now they're flailing about looking for guidance.
This is absolutely genius. Your short biog rang so true with me Gareth. Working class but aspirational parents. A sense I was ‘posh’ until I grew up a bit. A class disconnect in the world of TV. (I once worked on an entertainment show in the 90s, which I went on to series produce and then exec, where I was the only one on the editorial team who hadn’t been to Oxbridge. ) This could be like a Rich List for pricks. Good luck!
Looking forward to the series. I take great pride in being a middle class trucker. MCT. We (there are more of us public school wideboys pounding the highways than you'd think)display our credentials subtly: reading The Economist, or Acoustic Guitar monthly, in the truckstop. Leaving behind a mozart CD in an agency vehicle. Sorting out problems abroad in the local language, preferably involving profanities.
My favourite trick, when accused of being middle class, is to use quotes from the Dutch writer Geert Hofstede, an excellent source of pithy aphorisms and pertinent observations.
No need to be ostentatious.
Proles are very observant.
Interestingly, once accepted in a work milieu, and it can take a while, one is called on to solve problems.
Forelock touching lives on.
I'm fascinated to see what sort of pretentious umc clowns you choose to expose.
In America, the qualities that make middle class people awful in Britain are found among the upper middle class. Or, to put it differently, the people one loves to hate here are professionals, entrepreneurs, members of the chattering classes, etc., and they tend to be in the UMC. Their privileged and entitled offspring are the worst.
Here, the upper class are invisible. Working and middle class people often think of celebrities with lavish lifestyles when they think of the upper class. That's just fine with the ownership class.
At last some humour to take down these people. I was born in 1966, my parents were working class south Londoners who moved out of Balham and Colliers Wood to Sutton then in Surrey because they thought the schools were better, hilariously Sutton was then absorbed into Greater London in 1965, Sutton kept its Grammar schools but my parents 4 kids all failed the 11 plus and ended up in Secondary moderns. We lived in a 1930s semi and had a happy childhood. My parents were tough but loving and did their best for us. Their like and their generation have been betrayed by the Labour Party and sold down the river by a Conservative Party that is no longer Conservative. There is still hope though and it’s here. Thanks Gareth.
I was watching Gerald Ratner’s disastrous CBI speech yesterday, listening to the self-satisfied chuckles of his audience as he casually betrayed the trust of his naive customers. I thought maybe that was the tipping point, when the previously unspoken respect for working class people soured and it became ok to sneer at them.
I am very much looking forward to the unfolding of this series, one whose time is very ripe.
Some thoughts on this introduction:
I, too, as working class/underclass, have always felt that sense of fundamental difference emanating from those middle class people I have known in all periods of my life, some of whom I have liked, or continue to like, a great deal. What has emerged over time for me is a clear sense that middle class people are brought up from year dot to have an idea of innate superiority; also, to politely and without announcement ensure that opportunities that may lead to social or economic advancement are ring-fenced for themselves those of and the class to which they belong. (I have seen this happen quite a bit in the arts). This ring-fencing is, I discern, founded in a morbid fear on their part that some of their 'lessers' might, if given the opportunity, show themselves to be more talented than they themselves are, so undermining the notion of inherent superiority they have been raised with.
The middle class can afford to be more diffident, and seem to be more civilised - because they know so well, subconsciously and maybe consciously also, that they're in charge. They don't need to raise their voice to be heard or to get their way.
As regards definition, to me 'middle class' defines a certain attitude, manner, and view of self and others (which you have referred to here), more than it does a socioeconomic history or current station (I have met homeless people who are undeniably middle class). That said, a certain socioeconomic founding of some kind and at some time is undeniably essential to the formation of this kind of character.
Intriguing the gravitation pull created by class in Britain. Stranger still how consumed some become by it while others, well, just get on with their lives. It of course has invidious dimensions too, with chippiness infecting otherwise accomplished, successful people.
Can I request you do Alan Bennet, Mike Leigh and Guy Ritchie? Do any 1 of those w******s and I will pay a regular subscription. Leigh is the very embodiment of North London middle class smugness.
This is going to be great!! I will be paying full attention. My only comment so far is that you are using the UK definition of Middle Class, which, as a Canadian, I always found confusing. To Canadians, because most people are 'middle class', the word doesn't resonate. Canada does not have the highly stratified class system of the UK (even today). Canada doesn't have an aristocracy so that class doesn't really exist so everything else gets shifted. In Canadian-ese your Middle Class would be the equivalent of the Canadian Upper-Middle/Professional class/cultural elite bleeding into the Laurentian Elite political class.
But its all the same people, same attitudes (and the class from I personally hail).
Its definitely unique, and every country, of course, has a very top socio-economic echelon. I am not really sure what its called in Canada, I guess you could call it Upper Class (but that's not quite right) or maybe Old Money or depending on the locale you might describe the person as being from that milieu which says it all (like someone from Upper Westmount in Montreal). In Canada I would say that very top class is more tied to Money, and in general, is one tier above the troublesome class about which you speak.
As a member of the upper middle middle classes I can't disagree. But I think when such people who know how to get what they want, think Margo Leadbetter, moved to from getting the lead in an amateur production of the Mikado to campaigning for Just Stop Oil. Once the dominate ideology, imperial, patriotic would have steered them, now they're flailing about looking for guidance.
Yes! Very much so. This will come up - stay tuned!
This is absolutely genius. Your short biog rang so true with me Gareth. Working class but aspirational parents. A sense I was ‘posh’ until I grew up a bit. A class disconnect in the world of TV. (I once worked on an entertainment show in the 90s, which I went on to series produce and then exec, where I was the only one on the editorial team who hadn’t been to Oxbridge. ) This could be like a Rich List for pricks. Good luck!
Thank you! It turns out there are quite a few of us about. Hope you enjoy!
Looking forward to the series. I take great pride in being a middle class trucker. MCT. We (there are more of us public school wideboys pounding the highways than you'd think)display our credentials subtly: reading The Economist, or Acoustic Guitar monthly, in the truckstop. Leaving behind a mozart CD in an agency vehicle. Sorting out problems abroad in the local language, preferably involving profanities.
My favourite trick, when accused of being middle class, is to use quotes from the Dutch writer Geert Hofstede, an excellent source of pithy aphorisms and pertinent observations.
No need to be ostentatious.
Proles are very observant.
Interestingly, once accepted in a work milieu, and it can take a while, one is called on to solve problems.
Forelock touching lives on.
I'm fascinated to see what sort of pretentious umc clowns you choose to expose.
Victoria Derbyshire: embodiment of the hatchet faced, middle class, media attack dog!
In America, the qualities that make middle class people awful in Britain are found among the upper middle class. Or, to put it differently, the people one loves to hate here are professionals, entrepreneurs, members of the chattering classes, etc., and they tend to be in the UMC. Their privileged and entitled offspring are the worst.
Here, the upper class are invisible. Working and middle class people often think of celebrities with lavish lifestyles when they think of the upper class. That's just fine with the ownership class.
At last some humour to take down these people. I was born in 1966, my parents were working class south Londoners who moved out of Balham and Colliers Wood to Sutton then in Surrey because they thought the schools were better, hilariously Sutton was then absorbed into Greater London in 1965, Sutton kept its Grammar schools but my parents 4 kids all failed the 11 plus and ended up in Secondary moderns. We lived in a 1930s semi and had a happy childhood. My parents were tough but loving and did their best for us. Their like and their generation have been betrayed by the Labour Party and sold down the river by a Conservative Party that is no longer Conservative. There is still hope though and it’s here. Thanks Gareth.
Very much looking forward to your inevitable pieces on George Monbiot, James O'Brien and Rory Stewart.
Trying to influence who you write about? Moi!? I would never do that!
Oh and of course you're not going to write about Chris Peckham or Gary Lineker obviously. 😉
I was watching Gerald Ratner’s disastrous CBI speech yesterday, listening to the self-satisfied chuckles of his audience as he casually betrayed the trust of his naive customers. I thought maybe that was the tipping point, when the previously unspoken respect for working class people soured and it became ok to sneer at them.
Can't wait!! But you missed a trick not starting a pool for people to place bets on who will be in there. (A certain Doctor, maybe?)
I am very much looking forward to the unfolding of this series, one whose time is very ripe.
Some thoughts on this introduction:
I, too, as working class/underclass, have always felt that sense of fundamental difference emanating from those middle class people I have known in all periods of my life, some of whom I have liked, or continue to like, a great deal. What has emerged over time for me is a clear sense that middle class people are brought up from year dot to have an idea of innate superiority; also, to politely and without announcement ensure that opportunities that may lead to social or economic advancement are ring-fenced for themselves those of and the class to which they belong. (I have seen this happen quite a bit in the arts). This ring-fencing is, I discern, founded in a morbid fear on their part that some of their 'lessers' might, if given the opportunity, show themselves to be more talented than they themselves are, so undermining the notion of inherent superiority they have been raised with.
The middle class can afford to be more diffident, and seem to be more civilised - because they know so well, subconsciously and maybe consciously also, that they're in charge. They don't need to raise their voice to be heard or to get their way.
As regards definition, to me 'middle class' defines a certain attitude, manner, and view of self and others (which you have referred to here), more than it does a socioeconomic history or current station (I have met homeless people who are undeniably middle class). That said, a certain socioeconomic founding of some kind and at some time is undeniably essential to the formation of this kind of character.
Intriguing the gravitation pull created by class in Britain. Stranger still how consumed some become by it while others, well, just get on with their lives. It of course has invidious dimensions too, with chippiness infecting otherwise accomplished, successful people.
Can I request you do Alan Bennet, Mike Leigh and Guy Ritchie? Do any 1 of those w******s and I will pay a regular subscription. Leigh is the very embodiment of North London middle class smugness.
This is going to be great!! I will be paying full attention. My only comment so far is that you are using the UK definition of Middle Class, which, as a Canadian, I always found confusing. To Canadians, because most people are 'middle class', the word doesn't resonate. Canada does not have the highly stratified class system of the UK (even today). Canada doesn't have an aristocracy so that class doesn't really exist so everything else gets shifted. In Canadian-ese your Middle Class would be the equivalent of the Canadian Upper-Middle/Professional class/cultural elite bleeding into the Laurentian Elite political class.
But its all the same people, same attitudes (and the class from I personally hail).
Thank you! Yes, the British class system is very distinct. We can be quite odd.
Its definitely unique, and every country, of course, has a very top socio-economic echelon. I am not really sure what its called in Canada, I guess you could call it Upper Class (but that's not quite right) or maybe Old Money or depending on the locale you might describe the person as being from that milieu which says it all (like someone from Upper Westmount in Montreal). In Canada I would say that very top class is more tied to Money, and in general, is one tier above the troublesome class about which you speak.
Omg Spam Valley - i thought that was a local thing. Clearly everyone must have had one. Looking forward to this series.
Damon Albarn just outside the top ten surely?
Keir is surely number one