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If you didn't know you were 'upper class' then you were definitely not, although I grasp what you are saying. 'Upper class' means generational wealth and statu
by edblarney 10y ago
If you didn't know you were 'upper class' then you were definitely not, although I grasp what you are saying.
'Upper class' means generational wealth and status, your grandfather was wealthy, a diplomat, and admiral, head of a large multinational, and you can trace your lineage back at least 8 generations, and likely back to before you were even Americans ... your family has had status for that long.
But yes - some people have 'high standards of behaviour', are genteel, polite, articulate, conscientious, well mannered etc. but don't have a lot of money. Many upper-middle class, even middle class types were like this just a generation and a half ago. I suggest fewer people are exactly that now, as the mores of society have shifted quite a lot in many ways.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- Mz 10y agoMy mother's mother was from a low level noble family. The family sold the title. Or so I have been told.
- spc476 10y agoUm ... my family has been tracked back to John "Tuscarora Jack" Barnwell (came to the colonies in 1701---https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Barnwell_(colonist) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Barnwell_(colonist)) but I'm not "upper class" my any means. I'm not sure what you meant by that.
- edblarney 10y agoThat you can trace your lineage, does not mean you are 'upper class'. But 'upper class' people can usually trace their lineage quite far back. Everybody in the upper class definitely knows they are in the upper class. It's not a 'revelation' you get when you are an adult. Likely quite a few people think they are in the upper class and really are not. I'm going by classical definition here, not the 'new world' American version of upper class, which is usually just economic.
- Retra 10y agoIrrelevant truths are worse than relevant lies.
- pc86 10y ago> I'm going by classical definition here, not the 'new world' American version of upper class, which is usually just economic. That's not the definition used by the person you're replying to, so I'm not sure what your point is.
- edblarney 10y ago"That's not the definition used by the person you're replying to, so I'm not sure what your point is." There is only one classical definition of upper class, the other is the very generic 'economic' version. The commenter is clearly not referring to 'economic' upper classes as he referred to 'behaviours' 'social standing' 'expectations' etc.. He indicated his family once had a noble title but sold it - this is definitely the classical version of 'upper class'. You want a 'pop culture' reference for actual 'upper class' (though it's 100 years ago) -> Downton Abbey.
- Mz 10y agoThe commenter is female and never once claimed to be upper class. You might try rereading the comment more carefully.