hey.. how would u guys define lower, middle and upper class

That's completely bullshit, I don't think more or less about someone based on what kind of job they do or how much money they have. I just said what kind of people here are car repair guys and that they don't earn as much. You and deviate seem to find it important to say how much you guys earn. Seeing that you feel the need to defend what you do, I think it's you guys who have an issue with it.

 

I actually find thedope's definition most useful :2thumbsup: But technically speaking I'm typical middle class according to first world standards and surely upper class perceived from the common people in a 3rd world country..

I'm not sure he's failing at it. He's pretty consistent in profiling himself as the ideal american though. Always making himself the exception of every stereotype possible and defending while actually he seems to be quite typical american to me, not in the least part because of the things he likes to brag about (or how to profile himself). Not sure if that's done subconsciously or not so I thought I'd just point it out.

 

I said how much I make because of your smartass remark "aren't you a car repair guy.. over here they don't make much."

If I say I'm in the upper middle class income bracket, that's what I mean. I don't need someone second guessing me because they don't like me and think I'm a redneck.

And yes I do have an issue with it to a degree, I work my ass off and invest a lot of time and money into what I look at my income as a ROI. A lot of mechanics don't make that kind of money. A lot work their ass off and struggle, which isn't fair. And a lot of people expect their car fixed for next to nothing and at their convenience. There are several issues I have with the automotive industry, which is why I'm going to eventually transition out of it.

 

the community I grew up in, and I suspect this applies to the majority of America, defines class by income. Mechanics, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, even feed and seed store owners - these people all make a lot of money in my community, they drive nice cars and live in huge houses so therefore they are considered upper middle class.

Whereas I know university educated people who live pay check to pay check in shitty apartments and drive older cars. They might not qualify as low class because of their education but no one is going to consider them upper class.

I would probably be classified as middle class by income, perhaps lower middle class. I don't quite live pay check to pay check although one big expensive emergency could change that. We own two cars, have health and dental insurance and a 401k. We rent instead of owning our own home, which is why I said lower middle class.

 

I didn't mean you as much on the 'class' standard and understand that not all places have a demand for this labor. The other person made it clear a working man with money is not as good as a educated house bitch.
But over in the US, Money does set you're class and 'what you are' in terms of how people see you. Some will disagree, But sorry, Money makes the world go round.

I like working for myself and not making others money when I can have the whole pie. I don't mind having to actually 'work' for money, Its not hard and if you pick a field you like, Then its just play time IMO.

I guess it different everywhere, Here $$ set you're class. I think the only issue we have, Is being called peasants when it the exact total opposite and neither of us mind turning wrenches or labor, For a living. Seems he is just as happy with the outcome as I am, Less a few problems our industry is dragging in.

To each their own, In American the sky is the limit and a man can make a million in any field if they actually want to work for it.

 

It's funny but also stupid, the way that Americans classify people by how much money we THINK they have or earn, which can be grossly inaccurate. If you visit someone's home, you can't tell by looking if it is 100% paid for, or if the bank owns 98% of it and the family is struggling to make the minimum payment. Bank balances and shares of stock are also invisible to people who know you personally.

In the business world, I rarely ever see anyone's house. I don't see anything they own except the clothes they wear, jewelry, and sometimes their cars. Business people rate each other based mostly on cars, job titles (assumed income), and country club memberships.

It's a crazy game.

I'd rather have them for neighbors.

 

I think bird-migration is saying there’s more to class than just income

hotwater

 

me too, actually. Someone just built a multi-million dollar McMansion near my house and I personally think they're completely trashy. They bought some beautiful farmland and instead of restoring the old farmhouse, they tore it down and built a really huge, ugly house so they can show off their wealth. I think the general consensus of the neighborhood is that these people lack class.

Also, I think the southern US has different ideas about class than the rest of the country. My grandmother was a wealthy woman but you would never know it unless you actually talked to her, then it became obvious through her good manners and breeding. She didn't feel a need to show off her wealth. Likewise, there are families around that descended from old Charleston or Savannah or Atlanta families who lost all their wealth after the Civil War but are still considered high society because of their family name.

 

New money.

Old money. Every Southerner by birth knows what I mean by that. It's all about taste.

In Manhattan, being a millionaire only means you can afford a second bedroom. :willy_nilly:

 

That's why my first post was about socioeconomic status vs class. I do think there is a distinction, not so much as in a place like Europe, but especially in the South and in urban areas.

I notice that a lot of wealthy people are less than grateful when I do something very complex on one of their vehicles and the more income limited are very very grateful for something much more simple. This isn't a rule but I do see a trend. I think a lot of the super wealthy lack class in that they think they are above everyone else, and anyone offering any kind of service is to be treated like a servant.

And if you ask me, education has little to do with class as well. To me a high class individual is someone who is honest, forthright and doesn't step on other people to advance themselves.

 

An attempt at converting crass to class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2it6acqnrg4"]The Three Stooges - Hoi Polloi - YouTube

 

Lower Class - Basic needs are a struggle to meet, don't necessarily have good food or access to healthcare and transportation.

Middle Class - Basic needs usually met, don't have to worry about sufficient food, insurance, health care etc. Afforded a few luxuries but still have to work and worry about losing income.

Upper Class - Many luxuries, little stress about spending money, never has trouble making ends meet, can get what they need when they need it.

 

Don't judge the whole forum by a few posts or one thread.
(there are lots of different types of people here, btw.)

Anyways...
We are somewhere between between working class and middle class... like lower middle/working class.... but for some reason I see that class wasn't really included in the poll.

 

I don't necessarily see this. I mean, I think the suburbs in NE are fairly typical, WASPY, blah blah blah. Lower class people can't really afford to live in true suburbs. I read an article about this subject--kind of--I'll post it in another thread because I think it merits its own discussion.

 

I'm probably too serious a lot of the time, it goes back to worrying and why I'm so driven now. But anyway, it bothers me when people never take anything seriously. And in this case I feel that Hots disdain for whites in general is very real.

 

I'm talking about new england, and even PA, NJ and a lot of long island. I've never lived north of DC but spent a lot of time up there and always got this 'back in time' feeling. And the funniest thing is the people in PA and NH and what not that fly confederate flags and think acting like a redneck is some kind of fashion statement. At least the rednecks down here are genuine.

 

I spent some time in NJ and in some areas confederate flags were a big thing. Silliness. That area of rural NJ was probably the most stereotypically redneck place I've ever been. Oddly enough. Either that or upstate NY.

The time I've been in New England (NE) I have been able to feel the "back in time" vibe you're talking about...but got more of a quaint feel than a redneck one.

 

The DC area, by the way, has some of the WORST and most startling wealth/poverty contrasts in the country. Slum-like areas where people live like they are in the 3rd world and watch all of the national pride, flags a-wavin', rich white guys a-goin' to and from work, mobs of patriotic tourists. Monuments reach into the clear blue sky and signify a country and a lifestyle that they were always promised yet that eludes their grasp.


Thought provoking, for me anyhow.

 

Yeah, I know it was humor, But that what they see and some think if you ask them out of the blue. Just like the Kardashians sp? They really give the country a good name, Or the former TV skank Paris Hilton. Two prime examples of lowlife trash with money and take it all for granted.