Posted by John Lambert on May 20, 2003 at 16:46:03 from 24.84.34.215 user John.
In Reply to: Re: Dulcibella and lifeboat conversions generally (was: Death & Glory DESIGN) posted by Mike Dennis on May 20, 2003 at 15:47:29:
I don't understand all this shyness about different classes. The differences are all around us: in speech, dress, habits, even smell. Why pretend they don't exist by not talking about them? Wherever you have people of different abilities, ambitions and values you will have classes, or groups, if you prefer. Some people value art, music and literature. Some people know how to save money. Others love football, hockey or baseball. Some people smoke and others drink. Some people went to university; others didn't. Why get all embarrassed when someone mentions that Jacky, for instance, was not the same class as the Callums. And does it matter what class AR was? Maybe he spoke with an educated accent, perhaps he had a cockney accent. But what difference does it make to his stories? When he includes people of different classes, he was just reflecting an ever-present reality. We have classes in Canada, chiefly based in income, although there are other criteria. It doesn't embarrass me when I refer to the fact. Why should it disturb anyone else? Yet I have noticed the same uneasiness in my friends whenever the subject comes up. Odd, but true.