Posted by PeterH on December 29, 2006 at 11:55:39 from 86.130.127.67 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Coots In The North - Father/Daddy/Dad? posted by John Lambert on December 28, 2006 at 20:52:49:
it [the class system] is a very touchy subject in the U.K
Two thoughts occur to me. First, many of us don't like the idea of being 'put into' a class. I like to consider myself 'classless' in the sociological sense, but there appears to be a tremendous enthusiasm in the UK for dividing people into classes - C2s, D3s, or whatever. This zeal is then carried over into fiction, and so poor Ransome's novels are picked over for signs of deference due to 'class' - 'Miss Nancy' etc. This sort of thing is so often an opportunity to parade one's 'chip'.
However, although I claim to be 'classless', there are certainly groups of people with whom I would not feel happy mixing, and some with whom I would have no problem. I am not sure that this is due to 'class', but more likely age and outlook. A recent stroll round a shopping precinct in the town where I live left me wondering if I was on the same planet as the folks I saw there. On the other hand, I feel I would be at ease sitting either in the Beckfoot drawing-room talking to Mrs B, or in the kitchen talking to Cook - I would be perfectly happy doing either. I would be most unhappy sitting in the cabin of the Margoletta listening to the inane remarks of her 'crew'. I'm not sure if I am helping John with all this - I guess it all boils down to 'different strokes for different folks' or as is said in the UK ' horses for courses'. I think I can say this - as a guide to whether you are going to like any person, 'class' is not a useful indicator and can often be misleading.