People of lower classes

[marmaduke]

Why do people of the lower classes have less respect for common courtesies and social niceties than their middle- and upper-middle-class counterparts?

[cheyenne]

For Example?

[manilow]

I do not think its a question of class - its a question of upbringing - no matter who you are.

[mongos bird]

Having worked in a Service Station for many years I suppose I would be called low class. 

 The job bought me into contact with people from each end of the class/social scale and all those inbetween, serving ordinary 'working man', company MD's, film/TV stars, Royalty (even they need petrol!). 

 In my humble low-class opinion, I truly believe that someone's social standing bears no relation to their use of commom courtesies.  Mentioning no names, I have been snarled at by a certain TV celebrities and 'posh' folk, showing not one degree of good manners, whereas others have been politeness personified.  The same goes for what some may label as lower class.  

 So Marmaduke,  class (however it's defined) , wealth or social standing bears no relation to peoples use of manners and courtesy.   

[tanyavee]

Do you mean the yuppies or the fox hunter�s bad behavior we all witnessed on TV? Sorry wrong class. God forbid tis a sin to be off working class me lord, doffs cap and begs forgiveness facing marmaduke walking backwoods bowing not daring to look up.� we peasants need a good beating me lord so we know are place�. and by god we�re grateful.

[DavidUK]

Thanks for that, marmaduke. Good one! It is a wind-up isn't it?

[natalie_1982]

I hope it's a wind-up, I agree 110% with mongos bird and I find this question really offensive.

[galltin]

This site has a very surreal edge to it today...................

[marmaduke]

No this is not a wind-up, and I think you've got the wrong end of the stick. I am not talking about pleasantries such as saying 'Good morning' or bowing. I am talking about not being able to restrain oneself from fighting in a pub or swearing the house down while having a row or playing loud music in cars or houses, without care for others.

It maybe says something about inverted snobbery that this question should be found offensive.

[slimfandango]

yeah but if you're prepared to offend all of those who were born into a lower class by asking such a provocative and frankly, offensive question, then I wonder if the good manners you have picked up are just a set of 'show' without substance. I have been exposed to all classes and have friends from the full spectrum. Give me a decent, honest, working class down to earth type ANY DAY over a stuck up, full of him/herself ra ra toff any day, those who hide behind daddies big car and their easy don't need to lift a finger spoilt brat lifestyle. And I speak as someone who WAS born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Good credentials, and a pile of cash. Stuff it.

[natalie_1982]

It's a bit of a sweeping statement for people not to take that offensively marmaduke.

"Why do people of the lower classes have less respect..."

I'm actually speechless that you can be so rude, without (supposedly) meaning to be.

[Quizmonkey]

He's not being rude, he's stating an - albeit somewhat generalised - fact. That some people have a kneejerk reaction to that fact, and automatically find it offensive without giving it any thought, just indicates how many people have their PC shields up nowadays without even knowing it.

And many are going off on tangents and not replying to Marmaduke's original words - often the case on this board.

[mongos bird]

Come on then marmaduke, tell us poor forelock tugging serfs which 'class' you regard yourself?  The way I see it is, rich or poor, we all f*rt and snore.

[slimfandango]

Quizmonkey, you are plain dead wrong, allow me to explain why. Some people who use this site are of a lower class, mostly purely by accident. To then (wrongly) STATE that they have less respect is going to cause them offence because it causes them to be shunned, unjustifiably.

[FP]

Marmaduke - I can't believe you really posted this and think it's true.

[silly moo]

I cannot answer your question for the simple reason that it is based on an incorrest fact.
Some people are rude and some people are not. It has nothing to do with class.
Fighting in pubs - you should hear the accents and see the addresses of some of the drunks i have to treat in A & E every weekend.
Noisy rows in the home - how many so called upper class houses have neighbours close enough to hear the language used?
Bad manners exist in all walks of life, sad but true.

[duckygirl]

There are people from all classes that behave well and behave badly.. to behave badly showing no respect for others does not show you are lower,middle or high class - it shows you have no class! It must be said that if you come from a privileged background then you are more likely to have mixed in the social circles where courtesy is expected. Many are angry with marmaduke but it is part of every day life now to hear constant swearing, bad manners and it all stems from a lack of respect. Respect not class is the key to courtesy and manners-I have seen ethnic communities that may be considered lower class because of housing/employment however they have excellent manners because they have been brought up with respect. I have also seen upper middle class acting appallingly - usually because they feel they are above others. Marmaduke may only see a small section of what you feel is lower class-the ones that stand out-there are some of us that know exactly how to behave and do so

[smudge]

marmaduke - I & most of my friends are from working class backgrounds. We were taught to respect others & have good manners.

Please do not tar us all with the same brush - we are all different.

[LordyGeordie]

When I was at university the majority of the student population were lower-middle/ working class. On wedensday evenings and after weekend matches, our student bar was regularly filled with different sporting teams who all got along well and had a great time.

The exception to this rule was the rugby club who were made up of approximately 90 per cent former public school pupils - what marmaduke might term middle and upper-midde class.

They got everyone's backs up by being loud, crass and overbearing singing crude and sexist songs and occassionally taking their clothes off. Just plain anti-social in fact.

I'm no prude and have to admit found it all quite funny. the fact was a lot of people didn't see it the same way but this didn't deter the rugby club. it seemed as if they felt because of their privileged upbringing there was no need to behave in the same manner as everyone else.

it's not just rugby players. i've lost count of the number of times i've seen 'upper class' people be downright rude and disrepectful in restaurants, aeroplanes and many other situations. especially to people like serving staff, just because they see  other people as occupying a lower social strata.

However, they'll come to regret it when the revolution comes...